Race A Jaguar XE SV Project 8 In The Series Elite

With its Project 8, Jaguar’s Special Vehicle Operations has developed a road-going super-sedan as close to a racing car as it could manage. But one racing series aims to put them on the track, and is developing an exclusive environment to match.

Called the Series Elite, the championship’s grid will be made up exclusively of Jaguar XE SV Project 8 sedans, with their 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engines kicking out the same 592 horsepower (441 kW) and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque as stock.

As extensively as JLR’s SVO division has already modified the machine, we gather few further enhancements were needed. But the series organizers are fitting each with near-slick rubber: Pirelli’s P Zero Trofeo R, in 20-inch diameter.

“The opportunity to develop this awesome car into a fully fledged racer was one that I jumped at,” said series chief Graeme Glew. “Not only will our drivers own a fantastic race car, when they finally hang up their race boots, they can if they wish, convert their Project 8 back to a road going version, one of no more than 300 that will be made by Jaguar Special Vehicle Operations.”

In a sign of its elite clientele, the cars and accompanying series were showcased at the recent International Property Awards at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, with the first of the races in the UK and Europe planned to take place in May. The series geared towards (and exclusive to) wealthy gentlemen racers of 50 years and up, so younger drivers need not apply – but you can always book a ride in the same vehicle at the Nürburgring.