The XJ220 remains the fastest Jaguar ever produced and when launched in 1992
and, at 213 mph, had the highest maximum speed of any production car.
Constructed using advanced aluminum honeycomb, the car was immensely strong and,
despite its size, weighed just 1,470 kg.
Originally conceived as a concept car, the XJ220 debuted at the 1988 British
Motor Show. Designed by Keith Helfet, the car was signed off for production in
December 1989 with TWR selected as the partner for the project.
Powered by a 3.5-liter, twin turbo V6, the XJ220 channelled its drive through
the 18-inch Speedline rear wheels shod in specially developed 345/35 Bridgestone
Expedia tires via a five-speed gearbox and an AP Racing twin-plate clutch. The
XJ220 developed 550 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque to allow it to accelerate to 60
mph in under four seconds. Braking was supplied by a set of AP Racing discs and
four pot callipers.
Built by hand in an all-new factory in Bloxham, Oxfordshire, prototype 001 was
completed in 1990 while car 002 achieved 186 mph at Bruntingthorpe in September
of the same year. The first customer car was completed in June 1992 with a
retail price of 470,000 GBP ($730,000 at today's exchange rates).
Production ceased in 1994, by which time 275 cars had been built.
The silver car in attendance at the recent Jaguar Experience Day held at the
Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon is chassis 004, one of 10 pre-production vehicles.
This example was used for extensive tire and high speed testing at Fort
Stockton, Texas. In 1991 Andy Wallace achieved a maximum speed of 213 mph in the
car during the testing process.
Once these duties were completed the car was converted to race specification and
was campaigned by Justin Law in the British GT Cup. On being retired from racing
it was returned to its standard, road-going specification.
The yellow car is an XJ220 S - chassis '220-803'. This is the very first XJ220
S, built using spare parts from the Le Mans cars, including single-piece carbon
fiber front and rear clamshells, revised springs and dampers and a claimed 700
hp. The luxurious interior of the road car was dropped in favor of Kevlar bucket
seats and pared down, carbon trim.
The car was unveiled at the Autosport Show in 1993.
1993 Jaguar XJ220 S (rear view)
