They’re not exactly rivals, with the Jaguar XE SV Project 8 being a limited production, track-prepped sports sedan, and the Mercedes-AMG E63 S Estate a super wagon, but even so they’re evenly matched.
Of course, they have many differences. The Jag, for example, has a bigger engine, with its 5.0-liter supercharged V8 putting out 592 HP (600 PS / 441 kW) and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque and being mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The AMG may have a smaller, 4.0-liter V8, but it is twin turbocharged. Thus, it unleashes 603 horsepower (612 PS / 450 kW) and 627 pound-feet (850 Nm) and is hooked up to a nine-speed automatic gearbox.
Video: Jaguar XE SV Project 8 Vs. Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio Is A Fascinating Battle
Despite the Merc’s power advantage, both cars need 3.5 seconds for the 0 to 62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint, with the XE SV Project 8 maxing out at 200 mph (322 km/h) and the E63 S Estate having an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).
It’s also worth noting that the Jag is around 600 lbs (270 kg) lighter than its challenger, so that being said, let’s get ready to watch how the two compare in a series of tests.
The video starts with a good old quarter-mile drag race, which sees the two crossing the finish line in just a little over 11 seconds. Then come two rolling races, from 50 mph (80 km/h), in Comfort and Sport driving modes respectively, and finally there’s a brake test from 70 mph (113 km/h).
We won’t reveal the results, but we will tell you this: it might surprise you just how close these, fundamentally different, cars are in the real world.