Jaguar XJ220

[Jaguar D-Type]

1994 Jaguar XJ220 S TWR.

Compared to the standard XJ220, TWR's version sported a composite body, more power and went on an extensive weight reducing diet.

In January of 1993, Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) and Jaguar Sport launched the XJ220C to compete in the GT class (Group N) of FIA motor sport. At the same time, they announced the XJ220S, a limited-production, road-going version, to comply with homologation requirements. It was easily the most radical supercar in Britain.

Although the standard XJ220 was clothed in a lightweight aluminum body, TWR's version replaced every panel, expect the doors, with carbon fiber. In doing so they added a front splitter, wider sills and an adjustable rear spoiler that gave the car an imposing edge and made the standard XJ220 look docile.

Overhauled out to 680 hp, TWR cranked the twin-turbo V6 to its limits. Combined with a weight reduction that removed the stereo, air conditioning and heavy seats, the car could accelerate to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and reach 229 mph.

Only nine TWR XJ220s were completed and six of these were made as road-going S models. Almost all of the six cars have changed colors at least once and many made it over to America after Vik Keuylian, of Keuylian Motorcars, imported several.

The pictures above show chassis two S models when they were they were freshly imported into California. The blue one has since been painted black, received custom wheels and new Infiniti projector headlights.

- supercars.net

[Jaguar D-Type]

I think the XJ220's styling has aged better than most supercars from the late 80s and early 90s.















JaguarSport was formed in May 1988, owned 50/50 by Jaguar and Tom Walkinshaw's TWR group. TWR had XJS racecars and prototypes. JaguarSport made some modified XJSs in the late 80s and early 90s.

[Jaguar D-Type]

The XJ220's grille has an oval shape like that of the Jaguar D-Type, E-Type, XJ13, and the current XK8. The next Jaguar XK will have a grille like that of the 1961 Jaguar E-Type and it will use the new XJ's aluminum chassis. It will need a more blunt front bumper to comply with new European pedestrian safety regulations.

[Jaguar D-Type]

[Jaguar D-Type]

Here's some info and photos on one of the XJ220C's - in fact the one which did so well at Le Mans only to have it's victory stripped away:

JAGUAR XJ220C 1993 Le Mans race car - first to finish in GT Class

In 1953, Jaguar scored their second Le Mans win with the XK120C, so it was appropriate that, 40 years on, they should return with the XJ220C and 3 cars were entered in the new GT Class.

The Auto Sports International Show at the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre, in January 1993, saw the public launch of the competition version of the Jaguar XJ220, designated the XJ220C. The car was been developed by TWR and JaguarSport for GT racing. Examples of the XJ220C were to be made available for sale with a price tag of £380,000.

The XJ220C’s first completion experience was in the Italian Group N series, when two cars were entered, and, in May, the XJ220C made a UK debut at Silverstone. The event was the BRDC National Sports GT Challenge race and, driven by Win Percy, an XJ220C easily beat the Porsche and Aston Martin opposition. Despite having less power than the Porsche, Win Percy attributed the win to a modern design and better developed braking and cornering capabilities – ground-effect technology was well developed in this car.

Three cars were entered in Category 4 (GT Class) for the 1993 Le Mans 24 Hour Race. Chassis No SAJJEAEXJ220002, running as No. 50, was driven by John Neilsen, David Braham and David Coulthard.

Two of the XJ220Cs had retired by the early hours of Sunday morning. A fuel leak, in car 50, took 73 minutes to repair but, once repaired, the car overhauled and regained the GT lead. Car 50 finished having completed 306 laps (averaging 173 Km/h: 102 mph) and was the first car in its Class to take the chequered flag. Despite being the winner on the road, the car was disqualified, several weeks later, for an alleged technical infringement. An appeal by TWR was not accepted, on the ground that it had been lodged out of time.

This car was bought from TWR by an important collector before coming into our ownership.

In Millennium Year, this car, still in its Le Mans livery and decals, was lent to Jaguar to complete the Jaguar Heritage display of important Jaguar cars at various venues. The car appeared in Germany; was part of the Jaguar display before the British GP and was demonstrated, driven by (inter alia) David Brabham, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The twin turbo charged 3.5 litre V6 engine has been developed to produce a reputed 850+ bhp on maximum boost. With a weight of approximately 2,300 lbs this car has a 0-60 mph time of about 2.9 secs and a top speed of 220+ mph.

John Nielsen, David Brabham, and David Coulthard's # 50 XJ220C





Two other XJ220Cs from the 1993 24 Hours of Le Mans





Testing for the 1993 24 Hours of Le Mans





















Only four were built.



Press folder







Tiff Needell and James Weaver drove the XJ220C in the first picture in the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans.

[SilverCloudR/T]

Those are Infinity headlights, yes? Is there a kit for this or do people just modify them? I want them for a custom project I am working on, but can't find them.

[Jaguar D-Type]

John Nielsen has lapped the Nurburgring in 7:43 in a Jaguar XJ220.

http://www.nuerburgring.de/

[Jaguar D-Type]

While most cars are carefully planned for production and have the full backing of the manufacturer, the Jaguar XJ220 was first built in the spare time of Jaguar engineers without Jaguar's knowledge. Jim Randle, Jaguar's chief engineer at the time, wanted to create the ultimate supercar and convinced several of the other engineers at Jaguar to help him make his dream reality. Working on Saturday nights, the small group of engineers slowly began creating the "ultimate supercar". Eventually, Jaguar found out about the car and ended up helping the engineers build the first prototype.

The first XJ220 concept car made its debut at the 1988 Birmingham Motor Show and was received with overwhelming enthusiasm. The reaction from auto enthusiasts around the world was so great that Jaguar decided to build a production version of the car. The world economy at the time was in full swing and Jaguar could afford to build a supercar like the XJ220.

While the XJ220 concept featured a V12 engine, Jaguar decided to instead use a racing V6 displacing 3.5 liters for the production car. The V12 was too bulky and the lower displacement was offset by using twin Garrett T3 turbochargers, four camshafts, and four valves per cylinder. The stats of the engine speak for themselves: 542 hp at 7,200 rpm and 475 lb-ft torque at 4,500 rpm. All of this power was put to the wheels through a 5-speed transaxle, and massive tires (255/45ZR17 front / 345/35ZR-18 rear) put all the power to the ground and helped maintain traction when accelerating, cornering, and braking. 13-inch front rotors and 11.8-inch rotors in the rear helped stop the car in supercar-like fashion.

The body of the prototype XJ220 was built of aluminum and the production version retained the use of this material. The bonded-aluminum honeycomb body panels formed one of the most beautiful bodies to cover a chassis. The curb weight stayed at a low 3025 lbs because of the aluminum body and lighter engine. Also because of the V6 engine, the length of the car was reduced by an astounding ten inches from the prototype, but the car remained extremely wide at 6 feet, 6 inches.

Jaguar intended the XJ220 to be a very limited edition car, producing only 350 cars from 1991-1994. However, the production run turned out to be too exclusive as Jaguar had trouble selling all of the cars. With the crash of the economy in the early 1990s, the switch from the V12 to the twin-turbo V6, and the enormous $678,000 price tag, several buyers tried to pull out of their orders. Legal proceedings ensued as Jaguar demanded that buyers stand by their promise to buy the car.

Top Speed- 217 mph
Acceleration (0-60)- 3.7 seconds
Acceleration (0-100)- 7.9 seconds
3,494 cc twin-turbo V-6
542 hp @ 7200 rpm
475 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm
3,241 pounds

[egtor]

hi I am new but I do know my XJ 220. it would be my ideal super car. the one that you are talking about is the slower one of the xj220 made the faster one had a v12 in it and could go from 0-60 in 3.4 sec. and 0-100 in only 6

[jcsaleen]

Sweet Pix!

[Jaguar D-Type]

[Jaguar D-Type]

[Jaguar D-Type]

[Jaguar D-Type]

The XJ220's then-new 3.5 liter twin-turbocharged V-6 weighs around 430 pounds complete with turbos and wiring.

[jcsaleen]