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

Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 (2020 - 2025) review – a near-perfect mid-engined sports car
Porsche Cayman GTS 4.0 – front
In-depth reviews

Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 (2020 - 2025) review – a near-perfect mid-engined sports car

Porsche has killed the 718, and with it the sublime Cayman GTS 4.0. It goes out as one of the best all-round sports cars ever made
26 Feb 2026
Still want that Singer? Evoluto’s Ferrari 355 restomod is finally ready
Evoluto Ferrari 355
News

Still want that Singer? Evoluto’s Ferrari 355 restomod is finally ready

Evoluto’s reimagined and modernised Ferrari 355 is here, with a new 3.7-litre 9000rpm V8 option
24 Feb 2026
2026 VED car tax: what you'll be paying
2026 car tax
Advice

2026 VED car tax: what you'll be paying

The latest car tax changes explained, including new pricing for EVs and hybrids and increased prices for higher-emission vehicles
19 Feb 2026