Skip advert
Advertisement

2019 Jaguar XE SV Project 8 review – design

Jaguar's XE SV Project 8 takes a rather extreme approach to the supersaloon recipe than most, but has an equally extreme price tag to match

Evo rating
RRP
from £149,995
  • Performance, poise and ability on track, usable on road, bombastic soundtrack
  • Cup 2 tyres struggle in the wet, a few levels above the usual saloon price point

The full effect of the Project 8’s styling doesn’t really come across in photographs. The early, liveried Track Pack cars frankly looked a bit naff, but spend some time with a Touring in a decent colour and you’ll learn to love the cocktail of class and brutality, like a character from a gangster movie.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Some angles are better than others – in profile or any view taking in the front of the car, Project 8 looks fantastic, and those rear arches are so wide they can’t help but have an impact on the shape even if you’re staring directly at the profile. From the rear, things aren’t as rosy – neat though it is being able to see the rear tyres poking out either side of the bumper, it looks rather blocky, not helped by the bland rear details from the standard XE.

Some of the detailing is great, though, such as the carbonfibre splitters surrounding the car at its lowest point, many inscribed with an aircraft-style ‘no step’. The honeycomb holes in the front bumper are interesting too.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

This secret British sports car is a £5m gamble, inspired by Lotus and with Ferrari looks
Wells Vertige
Features

This secret British sports car is a £5m gamble, inspired by Lotus and with Ferrari looks

Robin Wells fancied a new sports car so decided to build his own. The result is the Wells Vertige, and now you can have one too
28 Apr 2026
Volvo XC90 review – still the king of the school run or past its best?
Volvo XC90 front
Reviews

Volvo XC90 review – still the king of the school run or past its best?

Volvo’s star flagship family car has been renewed with more hybrid power, sharper tech and looks and competitive pricing
30 Apr 2026
Toyota GR Corolla review - why the GR Yaris’s big brother will be worth the wait
Toyota GR Corolla
Reviews

Toyota GR Corolla review - why the GR Yaris’s big brother will be worth the wait

It's been on sale for three years and until now only in select markets, but now it's built in Britain it's coming to the UK. We're just waiting for To…
1 May 2026