Jaguar XE SV Project 8 to make Middle East debut at Dubai Motor Show
DUBAI: Jaguar Land Rover announced that its Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) division will bring its latest high-performance creation, the Jaguar XE SV Project 8, to the Middle East automotive enthusiasts during the 2017 Dubai International Motor Show.
The motor show is set to take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from November 14 – 18.
“Project 8 is the most extreme performance Jaguar ever and the second Collector’s Edition vehicle from SVO,” said Bruce Robertson, managing director, Jaguar Land Rover Mena. “Bringing the Jaguar XE SV Project 8 to the Middle East and for its debut at the Dubai International Motor Show was an easy decision. The event brings together the most passionate automotive enthusiasts from around the region and we’re excited to share our latest passion project with them.”
XE SV Project 8
Project 8 exclusively features the most highly tuned version of Jaguar Land Rover’s 5.0-litre Supercharged V8 petrol powertrain. The 600PS power unit, which has a Titanium Variable Active Exhaust, is complemented by Jaguar’s AllWheel Drive (AWD) system and motorsport-derived aerodynamics to deliver a 322kph top speed and 0-100kph in 3.7sec, making Project 8 the fastest accelerating Jaguar yet.
Fundamental to the performance of the most track-focused car SVO has ever produced, Project 8 features a number of purposeful modifications to the award-winning XE’s lightweight aluminium body panels, including: Carbon fibre bumper with enhanced cooling ducts, vented carbon fibre bonnet, flared bodywork covering 20-inch forged aluminium alloy wheels, adjustable front splitter, flat underbody, rear carbon fibre bumper, rear diffuser and adjustable rear aerodynamic wing. Project 8 will be the lightest V8 sedan in the Jaguar range.
To ensure optimum performance on road or track, Project 8 endows the XE’s double-wishbone front and integral link rear suspension with stiffer springs and manually adjustable continuously variable dampers (giving a 15mm lower ride height for track use), debuts a new carbon ceramic braking system, an industry-first use of Formula 1-style silicon nitride ceramic wheel bearings on a road car, and incorporates a rear electronic active differential with oil cooler – a first for XE.
The high-performance theme continues inside; with subtle applications of Gloss Carbon Fibre trim as well as Alcantara, on the rim of the Project 8 Sport Steering Wheel, instrument binnacle and door cards. The eight-speed Quickshift transmission can be operated either by aluminium paddle shifters behind the steering wheel or by a central Pistolshift lever – another first for XE.