Jaguar XJ220 S TWR 680hp Race Version

Jaguar XJ220 S TWR 680hp Race Version

The Jaguar XJ220 S TWR was the work of Tom Walkinshaw Racing, the firm that had guided Jaguar to victory at Le Mans in 1988. Taking the already formidable XJ220 as a starting point, TWR created what was essentially a road-legal version of the XJ220 C racing car, resulting in one of the most extreme performance cars of the 1990s.

The foundation was the XJ220's twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6, developed from the Metro 6R4 rally engine. In S specification, TWR extracted a stunning 680 horsepower through larger turbochargers, revised intercoolers, a more aggressive engine management calibration, and a freer-flowing exhaust system. Torque increased to 534 lb-ft, a figure that demanded considerable respect from the driver.

Weight reduction was dramatic and comprehensive. The standard XJ220's body panels were replaced with carbon fiber and Kevlar composites, the interior was stripped to bare essentials, and lightweight racing components were used throughout. The result was a curb weight of approximately 1,073 kg, some 400 kg lighter than the standard car.

The combination of 680 horsepower and 1,073 kg produced performance that was genuinely extraordinary for 1993. TWR claimed a top speed of 220 mph and acceleration to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds. More impressively, the XJ220 S set a production car lap record at the Nurburgring Nordschleife with a time of 7 minutes 46.36 seconds, a record that stood for several years.

Suspension was fully adjustable race-specification, with revised geometry optimized for circuit use. AP Racing brake calipers and enlarged discs provided stopping power appropriate to the car's speed. An aerodynamic package including a larger rear wing and revised front splitter generated significantly more downforce than the standard XJ220.

The interior was deliberately sparse, with carbon fiber bucket seats, a roll cage, minimal trim, and racing instruments. Air conditioning and sound insulation were deleted to save weight. The driving environment was closer to a racing car than a road car, which was entirely the point.

Only six XJ220 S TWR examples were produced, each essentially hand-built to the customer's specification. The car remains one of the rarest and most capable road-legal Jaguars ever created. Its combination of extreme power, light weight, and racing pedigree has ensured that values have appreciated dramatically, placing it among the most valuable Jaguars in existence.