The storming Jaguar SV Project 8 XE wins the showstopper award at this years Goodwood.

• New Jaguar XE SV Project 8, designed, engineered and assembled by SVO, makes its world dynamic debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed
• Supercar-performance four-door Project 8 sedan beats world-class opposition to win the second annual Michelin Supercar Paddock Showstopper Trophy
• Showstopper award is presented following a four-day online public vote, with the overall winner selected by a panel of judges live at the Festival of Speed
• 600PS 5.0-litre Supercharged V8 makes Project 8 the most powerful, agile and extreme performance Jaguar road car ever – capable of reaching 200mph and 0-60mph in 3.3sec*
• Drivers for Project 8’s dynamic debut on the Goodwood hillclimb course included Panasonic Jaguar Racing Formula E team driver Mitch Evans

Making its global dynamic debut among the most powerful and extreme performance cars in the world at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the new Jaguar XE SV Project 8 claimed the hotly-contested Michelin Supercar Paddock Showstopper Trophy – just four days after the car was officially unveiled.

As the only four-door car in the Michelin Supercar Run, the Jaguar faced formidable competition in the 50-car paddock, but voters in an online poll hosted by Michelin UK singled-out Project 8 as one of the six most popular cars of the weekend, qualifying it for the overall Showstopper final on Sunday afternoon. 

This shortlist of six cars was judged live on stage by a panel of motoring experts, headed by Michelin Supercar Paddock presenter and former BTCC Champion, Tim Harvey. Joining him were British automotive journalist and broadcaster, Jon Quirk, American drift racer Vaughn Gittin Jr, Supercars of London channel star Paul Wallace, Seen Thru Glass channel star Sam Fane, and London-based custom car aficionado Jason Pelosi.

Chief Judge, Tim Harvey, said: “Jaguar’s Project 8 really took everyone by surprise at the Festival this weekend. Not only was it the car’s world debut – but the sheer extremes of the car, and the way it’s pushed the boundaries in every single way, made it an absolute stand out in the Michelin Supercar Paddock.

“This shone through in the online vote, and when it came to our judging panel, we were all pretty quickly won over by the Jaguar as a true star of the short-listed six. It really does it for me as a former touring car racer, and the car’s uncompromising looks and performance secured the rest. Congratulations Jaguar.”

John Edwards, Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations Managing Director, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to receive the Showstopper award for Jaguar XE SV Project 8 on its world dynamic debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and to see the fantastic reaction it’s had from car enthusiasts.

“With spectacular looks, supercar performance, and a soundtrack to match, Project 8 was always intended to turn heads on and off track.”

The second Collector’s Edition by SVO, following the successful F-TYPE Project 7 of 2014, Project 8 is a road-legal hand-built four-door sedan with an extraordinary combination of V8 power, dynamic agility and All-Wheel Drive traction.

Project 8 exclusively features the most highly tuned version of Jaguar Land Rover’s 5.0-litre Supercharged V8 petrol powertrain. The 600PS power unit, which has a Titanium Variable Active Exhaust, is complemented by Jaguar’s All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system and motorsport-derived aerodynamics and carbon fibre panels to deliver a 200mph top speed and 0-60mph in 3.3sec*, making Project 8 the fastest accelerating Jaguar yet. 

To ensure exclusivity, no more than 300 examples of Project 8 will be hand-built at SVO’s Technical Centre in Coventry, priced from £149,995 in the UK.

Building on the award-winning lightweight aluminium Jaguar XE compact sedan, Project 8 features a number of purposeful modifications that are fundamental to the performance of the most track-focused car SVO has ever produced, including height-adjustable suspension, the first application of Jaguar’s ultimate new Carbon Ceramic Braking system, and an industry-first use of F1-style silicon nitride ceramic wheel bearings on a road car.

The high-performance theme continues inside, with subtle applications of Gloss Carbon Fibre trim as well as Alcantara, on the rim of the Project 8 Sport Steering Wheel, instrument binnacle and door cards. The eight-speed Quickshift transmission can either be operated by aluminium paddle shifters behind the steering wheel or by a central Pistolshift lever.

Project 8 is available with four seats or an optional two-seat Track Pack. It’s also the first Jaguar to feature a dedicated Track Mode, which tailors driveline and stability control systems for circuit use, and sharpens both throttle and steering responses for ultimate precision and driver feedback.

Full details of Project 8 are now online at www.jaguar.com.

*Performance figures are manufacturer’s estimates and subject to final confirmation ahead of production

The super fast Jaguar XE SV Project 8 gets its world debut this week at Goodwood.

• New Jaguar XE SV Project 8 sits at the pinnacle of the world’s performance sedans, with a thrilling mix of explosive power, dynamic agility and all-wheel drive traction
• Significant SVO enhancements made to award-winning XE include lightweight aluminium and carbon fibre exterior panels to meet extreme performance targets
• 200mph and 0-60mph in 3.3sec – supercar performance from Jaguar’s most compact four-door sedan
• Limited-run of just 300 examples worldwide – exclusively left-hand drive
• Project 8 is the most powerful Jaguar road car ever – and first road-legal Jaguar with a 600PS 5.0-litre supercharged V8
• Project 8 will be the first car completely hand-assembled by SVO’s expert craftsmen at the new £20m SVO Technical Centre in Warwickshire, UK
• Prices for Project 8 reflect the high-value engineering content and hand-built assembly process of this specialist car. Priced from £149,995 in UK
• Project 8 will make its world debut on 30 June at Goodwood Festival of Speed

Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) has revealed the most powerful, agile and extreme performance Jaguar road car ever – the 200mph, 600PS XE SV Project 8 sedan.

The second Collector’s Edition by SVO, following the successful F-TYPE Project 7 of 2014, Project 8 is a hand-built four-door sedan with supercar performance – designed to thrill driving enthusiasts, with an extraordinary combination of explosive power, dynamic agility and all-wheel-drive traction. To ensure exclusivity, no more than 300 examples will be created, each assembled at SVO’s Technical Centre in Coventry.

John Edwards, Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations Managing Director, said: “SVO's raison d'être is to produce halo vehicles that push the boundaries in terms of luxury, performance and all-terrain capability. Project 8 is a great example of what happens when enthusiastic designers, engineers and manufacturing specialists are given the opportunity to create an extreme performance sports car without compromise.

“Project 8 will be assembled by hand in the new SVO Technical Centre, and we're confident that our enthusiastic and demanding clients will love driving Project 8 as much we do!"

Project 8 exclusively features the most highly tuned version of Jaguar Land Rover’s 5.0-litre Supercharged V8 petrol powertrain. The 600PS power unit, which has a Titanium Variable Active Exhaust, is complemented by Jaguar’s All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system and motorsport-derived aerodynamics to deliver a 200mph top speed and 0-60mph in 3.3sec*, making Project 8 the fastest accelerating Jaguar yet.

Fundamental to the performance of the most track-focused car SVO has ever produced, Project 8 features a number of purposeful modifications to the award-winning XE’s lightweight aluminium body panels, including: Carbon Fibre Bumper with enhanced Cooling Ducts, vented Carbon Fibre Bonnet, flared bodywork covering 20-inch forged aluminium alloy wheels, adjustable Front Splitter, Flat Underbody, rear Carbon Fibre Bumper, rear Diffuser and adjustable Rear Aerodynamic Wing. Project 8 will be the lightest V8 sedan in the Jaguar range.

Mark Stanton, SVO Director, said:“We have really been able to unleash the potential of our engineering and design teams in specifying Project 8. We are at the beginning of a very challenging and exciting development programme which will see us focus on ensuring Project 8 delivers track performance on a level previously not targeted by Jaguar.

“The SVO team is full of performance car enthusiasts that are now briefed to deliver motorsport science and soul in what is effectively a four-door supercar.”

To ensure optimum performance on road or track, Project 8 endows the XE’s double-wishbone front and Integral Link rear suspension with stiffer springs and manually adjustable Continuously Variable Dampers (giving a 15mm lower ride height for track use), debuts a new Carbon Ceramic Braking system, an industry-first use of Formula 1-style silicon nitride ceramic wheel bearings on a road car, and incorporates a rear Electronic Active Differential (EAD) with oil cooler – a first for XE.

The high-performance theme continues inside, with subtle applications of Gloss Carbon Fibre trim as well as Alcantara, on the rim of the Project 8 Sport Steering Wheel, instrument binnacle and door cards. The eight-speed Quickshift transmission can either be operated by aluminium paddle shifters behind the steering wheel or by a central Pistolshift lever – another first for XE.

Project 8 is also the first Jaguar to feature a dedicated Track Mode, which tailors driveline and stability control systems for circuit use, and sharpens both throttle and steering responses for ultimate precision and driver feedback.

Project 8 will be available in two specifications at launch. The standard four-seat model features Jaguar’s latest front Performance seats with magnesium frames, plus a more heavily contoured rear squab to maximise support. The optional two-seat Track Pack includes lightweight front Carbon Fibre Racing Seats with Four-Point Harnesses fixed to a Harness Retention Hoop in place of the rear seat. All Project 8s will be built in left-hand drive configuration only.

Full details of Project 8 are now online at www.jaguar.co.uk, including eight body colour choices – three eye-catching standard colours: Fuji White, Narvik Black and Caldera Red, plus five enhanced SVO Design options incorporating colours and finishes from the SVO Premium Palette: Valencia Orange, Velocity Blue, Meribel White, Verbier Silver and Corris Grey (satin matte).

Project 8 owners will also be able to personalise their car by opting for further colours and finishes from the SVO Premium Palette range, which includes 19 colours in tri-coat, tinted clear coat, pearlescent, ChromaFlairTM and satin matte finishes. Race-inspired decal packs, accentuating Project 8’s high-performance attributes, are also available.

The Jaguar XE SV Project 8 will make its world debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex, UK, which runs from 29 June – 2 July. Project 8 will make its dynamic world debut on the famous Goodwood Hill on Friday 30 June.

Jaguar makes the most powerful car in its history with the XE SV Project 8 - 5.0 litre V8.

• New Jaguar XE SV Project 8 is next Collector’s Edition sports car designed, engineered and assembled by SVO
• Production strictly limited to 300 units worldwide
• Project 8 will offer supercar performance and dynamics in a sedan
• 600PS 5.0-litre V8 will make Project 8 the most powerful road legal Jaguar in history
• Project 8 prototype featuring unique camouflage by SVO Design now on test at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. 

Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) today announces the most powerful, agile and extreme performance Jaguar: the new XE SV Project 8. A prototype version of the 600PS Jaguar sports sedan offering supercar performance has now undertaken its debut test at the gruelling Nürburgring Nordschleife, adorned with an exclusive camouflage created by SVO Design. 

With the most highly tuned version of Jaguar Land Rover’s five-litre supercharged V8, Project 8 will become the second Collectors’ Edition vehicle from SVO, following the successful launch of Jaguar F-TYPE Project 7 in 2014. No more than 300 cars, all hand-assembled at SVO’s Technical Centre in Coventry, will be created for sale worldwide.

John Edwards, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations said: “The time is right for SVO to produce the most extreme performance road car in the history of Jaguar. The SVO team is possessed by the spirit of performance and committed to creating the most thrilling driving experience imaginable.

“Our clients worldwide were thrilled by the F-TYPE Project 7. The new XE SV Project 8 takes aerodynamics and performance engineering to another level – it is conceived for enthusiasts and the most discerning collectors. The price for such an extreme performance sports car available in strictly limited numbers will reflect that.”

Full specification details for Jaguar XE SV Project 8 will be revealed at www.Jaguar.com on 28 June 2017, ahead of its world dynamic debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex in the UK on 30 June.

The 2nd Generation Aston Martin Vanquish S, just gets better and better, and is now the ultimate in sporting beauty.

• Power of naturally-aspirated 6.0 litre V12 engine increased to 600PS  
• Suspension set-up honed to deliver greater poise and precision
• Exterior features new exposed carbon fibre splitter and diffuser, plus striking new quad exhaust outlets

Aston Martin has turned up the heat on it’s ultimate Super GT to create the new Vanquish S. Sharper styling, greater potency and increased athleticism define this latest evolution of an illustrious model line. 

One that originated from Aston Martin’s legendary Works in Newport Pagnell and has proudly served as standard bearer for the marque’s sporting and stylistic values since 2001.

In this, the second generation Vanquish’s evolution to S specification, careful attention has been paid to the engine, chassis and aerodynamics to create a machine honed to deliver more intense thrills and even more scintillating performance.

Central to this is the naturally-aspirated 6.0 litre V12 engine, which now produces up to 600PS (up from 573PS) and enjoys sensational throttle response, thanks to a revised, freer-breathing intake system. These larger volume inlet manifolds allow a greater volume of air to flow into the engine at high revs, creating a relentless power delivery and a stronger feel all the way to the redline.

Building on this increased intensity, the calibration of the 8-speed Touchtronic III transmission has been revised to deliver faster gearshifts and greater refinement at low speeds for a greater sense of precision and immediacy.

Likewise, the suspension, damper internals, spring rates and anti-roll bar bushes have also been re-tuned to give the Vanquish S a keener edge in the more sporting suspension modes, without compromising its ability to deliver supple ride quality on demand.

Visually the Vanquish S can be readily distinguished by a new aerodynamic package. Fashioned from exposed carbon fibre, this revised front splitter and rear diffuser combine to deliver a meaningful reduction in frontal lift with a minimal penalty in additional drag. Combined with visually striking new quad exhaust outlets the Vanquish S has more aggressive appearance, entirely fitting for Aston Martin’s most overtly sporting GT production model.

This look can be further enhanced with a range of new options. These include carbon fibre bonnet louvres, new forged 5-spoke diamond turned wheels and a choice of striking painted graphics packs. A new Vanquish S badge sits proudly on the tailgate as the perfect piece of jewellery.

Inside, the Vanquish S can be further personalised with a choice of spectacular new ‘Filograph’ quilted leather and the use of new materials and finishes, such as the Satin Chopped Carbon Fibre fascia panel. Sumptuous Bridge of Weir Caithness leather offers an added touch of luxury and tactility, while Vanquish S embroidery on the headrests provides a crafted finishing detail.

Dr. Andy Palmer, Aston Martin President & CEO said: “From the moment the original Vanquish was launched it became a modern icon. It propelled Aston Martin from an era of hand-built cars to one where craftsmanship and technology combined to create a new kind of great British GT.

“In its second generation the Vanquish maintained that momentum with huge engineering advances such as its all-carbon fibre bodywork and compelling, contemporary styling. Now, the Vanquish S takes things a step further, confidently asserting itself within the Aston Martin range and distinguishing itself from the new DB11. A spectacular machine in every sense, the Vanquish S is a magnificent addition to our range.”   

Vanquish S is available in both Coupe and Volante and recommended retail price starts from £199,950 in the UK, €262,950 in Germany and $294,950 in the US. Deliveries will commence in December 2016.

Range-topping Nisan GT-R super-coupé now available across European markets from November 1st.

• Range-topping super-coupé now available across European markets
• On sale from 1 November, price is €184,950 in Germany and France / £149,995 in the UK
• 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 delivers 600PS – 30PS more than any other current GT-R

The ultra-desirable flagship of the Nissan GT-R range – the exhilarating GT-R NISMO – will go on sale from 1 November, with prices now confirmed for the first time.

The GT-R NISMO is the pinnacle of the GT-R range, a high-performance race car for the road which takes the very best of the super-coupe’s legendary Japanese heritage, then enhances the iconic design and state-of-the-art technology even further. 

Power comes from a twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V6 delivering 600PS – 30PS more than any other car in the range. The engine features a pair of high-flow, large diameter turbochargers used in GT3 competition, and power is sent to all four wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch paddleshift gearbox. 

The GT-R NISMO costs €184,950 in Germany and France, and £149,995 in the UK – the model’s three key markets in Europe. Prices in other countries may vary slightly.

Like the standard car, the GT-R NISMO’s front end features a fresh face with a dramatic new bumper. However, on this model it’s made entirely from carbon fibre to reduce weight. To help cool the car’s high-output engine, the dark chrome V-motion grille has been enlarged to collect more air. 

The redesign has been carefully shaped to improve airflow around the vehicle and generate a high level of downforce, while at the same time directing air around the wheels to improve the aerodynamics. The GT-R NISMO generates more downforce than any other Nissan production car to date, which results in exceptional high-speed stability.

The performance of the all-wheel-drive GT-R NISMO has also been upgraded, thanks in part to the standard model’s significantly reinforced body structure. This allowed the engineering team to further refine the GT-R NISMO’s shock absorbers, springs and stabilisers. When combined with the car’s increase in downforce, the result is the most dynamically capable GT-R NISMO ever.

This is evidenced by the car’s improved slalom times and superior cornering performance, both of which are nearly 2% better than the previous version. Despite its more potent nature, the new GT-R NISMO boasts better overall balance than before, evolving into a car that can be enjoyed on both winding roads and race circuits.

A more premium and sophisticated interior is one of the key enhancements to the new GT-R, and the NISMO version is no exception. The redesigned dashboard, steering wheel and centre armrest are covered with high-quality Alcantara® leather. Unique to this version are the leather-covered Recaro® carbon bucket seats with red Alcantara® inserts.  

Private customer commission delivered by Q by Aston Martin Advanced.

• Private customer commission delivered by Q by Aston Martin Advanced
• Most extreme roadster ever produced by Aston Martin
• Showcases Q by Aston Martin’s capability to deliver truly bespoke cars  

Aston Martin today unveiled its most extreme roadster ever in the unique form of the one-off Vantage GT12 Roadster. A tailor made customer commission undertaken by Q by Aston Martin, the Vantage GT12 Roadster takes the original Vantage GT12 Coupe’s hardcore ethos and adds the visceral thrill of open-top driving, offering the driver an intensified sensation of exhilaration and the unfiltered fury of a 600PS V12 soundtrack.

Conceived and delivered within a nine-month period, the Vantage GT12 Roadster draws its origins from the Vantage GT12 Coupe, with a special 600PS version of the brand’s 6.0-litre normally aspirated V12 engine mated to a seven-speed Sportshift III^tm paddle-shift transmission. Technical highlights include magnesium inlet manifolds with revised geometry, a lightweight magnesium torque tube and a full titanium exhaust system.

The most visible differences are the significant number of new carbon-fibre body panels, while beneath the skin a unique suspension set-up defined by Aston Martin’s in-house dynamics experts, helping to ensure the Vantage GT12 Roadster shares the same exceptional handling characteristics as the Vantage GT12 Coupe. Naturally being a product of Q by Aston Martin, the Roadster also features bespoke paint and trim.

The Vantage GT12 Roadster is a significant landmark, for it is the first time a customer has been able to call upon the full scope of Aston Martin’s design and engineering capabilities as part of the Q by Aston Martin bespoke commission service. Initially offered as a means of providing fully personalised colour and trim combinations, the service has been continually expanded. With the incorporation of Aston Martin Advanced Operations - the team responsible for the original Vantage GT12 Coupe, along with low volume in-house projects such as the Aston Martin Vulcan, Lagonda Taraf and One-77 - customers can now commission highly ambitious full-scale design and engineering projects. 

David King, Vice President and Chief Special Operations Officer, says of the Vantage GT12 Roadster: “Aston Martin has a growing reputation of building ambitious commissions for customers, perhaps the best example being the spectacular CC100 Speedster Concept. We have also become world leaders in ultra-low volume projects with cars such as the One-77, Lagonda Taraf and Aston Martin Vulcan, while the Vantage GT12 and Vantage GT8 show how far we can take our series production models.

“The GT12 Roadster is the first project to combine all of those skill sets in one magnificent car. In just nine-months we took a customer’s dream and realised it, with a fully-formed, exactingly engineered and fully road-legal one-off. That is the essence of the Q by Aston Martin service”.

Dr Andy Palmer, Aston Martin President and CEO, commented: “The Vantage GT12 Roadster is a hugely exciting project. Not just because it’s sensational to look at, but because it vividly demonstrates the expanded capabilities of Q by Aston Martin. By incorporating the exceptional engineering capabilities of Aston Martin Advanced Operations within the Q by Aston Martin bespoke commissioning service we have a truly formidable creative team.”