Skip advert
Advertisement

2019 Jaguar XE SV Project 8 review – interior and tech

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
Price
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 Project 8’s interior ambience changes somewhat depending on whether you opt for the Track Pack or not. If you do, then the rear bench makes way for a roll-cage, and the standard reclining buckets are replaced with fixed-back items with four-point harnesses.

This does seem slightly incongruous when staring at you from the other direction is a near-standard interpretation of the regular Jaguar XE dashboard. In common with some of Jaguar’s other high-end performance models, this does breed an environment that doesn’t quite match up with the price tag, though objectively and in isolation the XE’s cabin is perfectly reasonable.

Advertisement - Article continues below

One welcome touch is the Alcantara steering wheel rim, while Jaguar’s infotainment system is improving all the time, and the digital instrument cluster ahead of you is clear enough for quick driving. Minor controls are sensibly arranged and physical buttons still handle the heating and ventilation.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Cupra Leon 2025 review – the Golf GTI you want wears a Spanish frock
Cupra Leon review front
In-depth reviews

Cupra Leon 2025 review – the Golf GTI you want wears a Spanish frock

The Cupra Leon has a new face and gnarly bucket seats for 2024. There’s more appeal over its German counterpart than ever
19 Dec 2024
BMW 230i 2025 review – a BMW coupe of the old school?
BMW 2-series front
Reviews

BMW 230i 2025 review – a BMW coupe of the old school?

BMW’s 230i has been refreshed. Is it still BMW’s undercover driver’s car?
20 Dec 2024
BMW i8 – the car world's greatest misses
BMW i8
Features

BMW i8 – the car world's greatest misses

A bold concept with a visionary powertrain, but the i8 was too far ahead of the game for its own good
20 Dec 2024