The Jaguar XE SV Project 8 is a mouth-watering proposition for the lucky few who will get to own one, but for the rest of us, it’s a sign of what could have been.

Rumours of an XE SVR have been rife since the regular model launched in 2015, and the arrival of the SVO model will only add to the flames, not least because the last time Jaguar launched a limited run SVO model it was soon followed by the F-Type SVR.

Jaguar XE SV Project 8 is brand’s most powerful road model yet

However, Autocar understands that Jaguar has no interest in producing an SVR version of the XE, which is a shame really, because the XE is one of the finest handling four doors money can buy.

You can be sure of one thing, a car that combines the sweet chassis of the range-topping XE S with the belching and barking V8 of an SVR would draw many chequebooks away from the order books of BMW M3s and Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglios.

Jaguar XE SV Project 8 - brand's quickest road-car to run at Goodwood