Special Vehicle Operations boss says it doesn’t have to be a high performance model.
Jaguar is currently developing a limited-run Project 9 to follow up the XE-based Project 8 sedan, and the F Type-derived Project 7 motorcar. The vehicle won’t be on the roads anytime soon because even the developers aren’t sure what it looks like.
John Edwards, Jaguar Special Vehicle Operations chief, stated that there will be a Project 9 in Top Gear. But it’s not clear what it will look like yet. It doesn’t have to be high-performance. We are making up the rules as they go.”
The SVO team would follow their work and use Project 9 as its starting point. The crew may want to follow current trends so a high-performance version would be the best choice. F-Pace Or E-Pace crossovers might make sense. The company could also be called a crossover. 50 years of the XJ nameplate A hardcore version might be a good way to honor the model’s history.
This work was initiated by SVO with limited-run models and the F-Type Project 7 in 2014. The body was heavily modified to reflect retro influences. The supercharged V8 of 5.0-liters produced 567 horsepower (423 Kilowatts), which could propel the car to 60 mph (96 km/h in 3.8 seconds).
SVO continued the roadster’s development with the Project 8 sedan, and it was used to break the Nurburgring record for production sedans . Although sales have not yet started, the team has been working on the project since last year. Project 8 will have a stronger engine mount, stiffer springs and revised suspension bushings. Buyers who are power-hungry will still be able to get a 5.0-liter supercharged engine with 592 horsepower (441 kW), and 516 pound feet (699 Newton-meters).
Jag will only make 300 Project 8s, so you will need to act quickly if you want one. Top Gear told Edwards that 100 orders have been placed for the sedan and that it has received 200 letters of intent.