| Jaguar XJ220 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | JaguarSport (Jaguar/TWR joint venture) |
| Production | 1992–1994 282 produced[1] |
| Assembly | United Kingdom: Bloxham, Oxfordshire |
| Designer | Keith Helfet under Jim Randle |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car (S) |
| Body style | 2-door coupé |
| Layout |
|
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
|
| Power output |
|
| Transmission | 5-speed manual[2] |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,640 mm (103.9 in)[2] |
| Length | 4,930 mm (194.1 in)[2] |
| Width | 2,009 mm (79.1 in)[2] (excluding wing mirrors) |
| Height | 1,150 mm (45.3 in)[2] |
| Kerb weight | 1,470 kg (3,240.8 lb)[2] |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Jaguar XJR-15 |
| Successor | Jaguar C-X75 (spiritual) |
The Jaguar XJ220 is a two-seat sports car produced by British luxury car manufacturer Jaguar from 1992 until 1994, in collaboration with the specialist automotive and race engineering company Tom Walkinshaw Racing.[3][4] The XJ220 (with catalytic converter removed) recorded a top speed of 217 mph (349 km/h) during testing by Jaguar at the Nardo test track in Italy.[5] This made it the fastest production car from 1992 to 1993.[6] According to Jaguar, an XJ220 prototype managed a Nürburgring lap time of 7:46.36 in 1991 which was faster than any production car lap time before it.[4][7][8][9]
The XJ220 was developed from a V12-engined 4-wheel drive concept car designed by an informal group of Jaguar employees working in their spare time.[4] The group wished to create a modern version of the successful Jaguar 24 Hours of Le Mans racing cars of the 1950s and 1960s that could be entered into FIA Group B competitions.[10] The XJ220 made use of engineering work undertaken for Jaguar's then current racing car family.[11]
The initial XJ220 concept car was unveiled to the public at the 1988 British International Motor Show, held in Birmingham, England.[12] Its positive reception prompted Jaguar to put the car into production. Approximately 1,500 deposits of £50,000 each were taken and deliveries were planned for 1992.[4][11]
Engineering and emissions requirements resulted in significant changes to the specification of the XJ220, most notably the replacement of the Jaguar V12 engine by a turbocharged V6 engine. The changes to the specification and a collapse in the demand of high performance cars brought about by the early 1990s recession resulted in many buyers choosing not to exercise their purchase options. A total of just 275 cars were produced by the time production ended, each with a retail price of £470,000 in 1992, making it one of the most expensive cars at that time.[4][9]
- ^ Richard Aucock (8 August 2012). "Jaguar XJ220, the inside story". Piston heads. Archived from the original on 18 February 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Jaguar XJ220 Information Sheet". Jaguar Cars XJ220 Sales. Jaguar Cars. 1992. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
- ^ Moreton (2010), p. 42.
- ^ a b c d e "Marking 20 Years Since The Launch of the Jaguar XJ220". Jaguar Land Rover Newsroom. Jaguar Land Rover. 30 January 2012. Archived from the original on 17 February 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ^ Green, Gavin (August 1992). "217mph!" (PDF). Car. London. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 November 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
- ^ Taylor, James (1 July 2015). "Flat-out for 40 years: happy birthday to the Nardo test track". Car. London. Archived from the original on 23 February 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- ^ Meaden, Richard (July 2000). "Kings of the 'Ring". Evo. p. 85.
- ^ "1992–1994 JAGUAR XJ220". Octane. Archived from the original on 7 October 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ^ a b "Jaguar XJ220". Auto Express. 2 February 2010. Archived from the original on 6 October 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ^ Moreton (2010), p. 29.
- ^ a b "The Jaguar XJ220 turns 20". Top Gear. BBC. 1 February 2012. Archived from the original on 29 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ^ "Jaguar Unleases XJ220 Supercar". Jaguar Communications and Public Affairs Department. Jaguar Cars. 18 October 1988. Archived from the original on 5 July 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2013.