V8-Powered Jaguar XE And XF SVRs Could Still Happen
Fitting a V8 under the bonnet of the Jaguar XE SV Project 8 wasn’t exactly an easy job. Speaking at a preview event for the car, Jaguar Special Vehicle Operations vehicle engineering manager Stuard Adlard noted that while the height isn’t an issue (it’s an easier fit in that sense than the Ingenium inline-four diesels), “the problem comes with the extra set of cylinders at the back”.
He went on to explain that the bulkhead had to be moved back, the brakelines moved, and for packaging reasons related to the electric power steering system, it could only feasibly be left-hand drive. The XF’s engine bay is very similar, so with the larger saloon, it’d be much the same story. So does that rule out the XE and XF SVRs we so crave? Not necessarily.
The packaging issues that force the left-hand drive configuration are partly brought on by the Project 8’s considerably low ride height and fat 265-section front tyres. Take those factors away in a less extreme V8-powered XE or XF, and a right-hand drive car should be possible.
In addition, by figuring out how to fit the supercharged 5.0-litre lump in the Project 8, Adlard hints that “there are opportunities opened up”. Does that mean an XE and XF SVR? We certainly hope so - after all, it’d be curious move to throw all those resources at working out the engine fitment without using what’s been learned elsewhere.
What looked to be an XE SVR was spotted in testing earlier this year at the Nurburgring, but it’s unclear if that car had something to do with Project 8. But now that we know V8-powered XEs and XFs are technically possible as ‘regular’ production vehicles, it’s time to cross our fingers…
Comments
We need more V8 M3 competitors cough cough Guilia Quadrifoglio cough cough
I don’t see why the V8 is so vital.
The Guilia Quadrifolgio is a V6, what do you mean?
YES
Benz ofc is the only one
XE
XE S
XE R
XE RS
XE SV
XE SVR
XE Flat 4
XF
XF S
XF RS
XF SV
XF
SVR
XF Flat 4
Good job Jaguar
Jaguar also got the Lotus virus it seems
How about the XD?
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Is just me, or does it look like Jaguar copied BMW M3 GTS’s homework?!?!?!?
?
Come on Jag! You know it’s the right thing to do. One last Huzzah! for the great V8 of yore. We can all see that it’s time is coming to an end.
People can fit 5.0 V8’s into the front of Mk1 MX5s and still look standard externally, but Jaguar can’t fit one under the front of a big, modern saloon without packaging issues?
Seems fishy to me
A 20+ year old car has a lot less going on under the bonnet. Modern cars via regulation have to be full of all kinds of electrics.
Cover up the grills it turns into an m4 gts
I get a real Rover 75 MG V8 feeling. When they put a Mustang engine in.
Finally , a true “britishy” rival for the M3… I want…