Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) has taken the wraps off a version of the Jaguar XE that it describes as “the most powerful, agile and extreme performance Jaguar” ever.

Jaguar XE SV Project8 front

A prototype version of the Jaguar XE SV Project 8 is currently being put through its paces at the Nurburgring, and SVO has promised the finished version – which will be limited to just 300 cars worldwide – will be a “sports sedan offering supercar performance”.

XE SV Project8 side

The tech specs indicate this claim may not be as far-fetched as you might think – after all, the five-litre V8 under the bonnet will push out 600PS, making it the most powerful road-legal Jaguar in history. And before you ask, yes, that includes the legendary XJ220.

Once testing at the gruelling Nurburgring is complete, the car will go into production at SVO’s Technical Centre in Coventry, where each one will be built by hand.

Jaguar XE SV Project8

The finished version will be unveiled at – where else – the Goodwood Festival of Speed at the end of June, and managing director of Jaguar Land Rover SVO John Edwards hinted that, as expected, the price is likely to be eye-watering.

Jaguar XE SV Project8 rear

“The new XE SV Project 8 takes aerodynamics and performance engineering to another level – it is conceived for enthusiasts and the most discerning collectors. The price for such an extreme performance sports car available in strictly limited numbers will reflect that,” he remarked.

This is the second Jaguar to get the SVO Collectors’ Edition treatment, after the company launched the F-TYPE Project 7 in 2014.

Jaguar XE SV Project 8

SVO is also responsible for the frankly bonkers Range Rover Sport SVR, which was launched in 2015 and has a top speed of 162 mph – the sort of performance that can only be rivalled by the likes of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S.

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