Take a look at our newest merchandise
Born from a fever dream of British engineering and ambition mixed with Components 1 know-how and the daring spirit of Group B rally racing, few vehicles seize the essence of the early ’90s supercar arms race just like the Jaguar XJ220. Now, one of the crucial putting examples ever constructed, a 1993 Jaguar XJ220 completed in Le Mans Blue, is crossing the public sale block on Convey a Trailer, providing collectors a uncommon alternative to personal a machine that outlined an period.
This instance isn’t simply one other low-mileage XJ220; it’s a singular one. It has a narrative as distinctive because the automotive itself, having spent greater than a decade nested on the thirty seventh ground of a skyscraper in Tokyo earlier than making its technique to america. Since then, it has been meticulously maintained, proven at vital occasions, and admired by fanatics worldwide.
A Supercar Legend
When the XJ220 was first revealed as an idea automotive on the 1988 British Worldwide Motor Present, it created an uproar. The prototype promised a road-going Jaguar with a V12 engine, all-wheel drive, and space-age aerodynamics; a automotive that might outgun something from Ferrari, Porsche, or Lamborghini. The response was so overwhelming that Jaguar determined to make it a actuality.
However between idea and manufacturing, the V12 was changed with a lighter, extra compact 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6, developed in collaboration with Tom Walkinshaw Racing, and the automotive turned rear-wheel drive solely. The purists grumbled, however the numbers silenced critics. The XJ220 turned the quickest manufacturing automotive on the planet in 1991, topping out at 212.3 mph in testing. With its catalytic converters eliminated, it reached an much more staggering 217.1 mph the next yr, a report that stood till the McLaren F1 got here alongside.
To fanatics, the XJ220 represented the perfect of what a supercar might be in that second: light-weight, aerodynamically superior, and uncompromisingly quick. As Convey a Trailer commenter ripper996 aptly put it, “The Holy Grail of late 80s/early 90s supercars.”
Hand-Constructed Excellence
Every XJ220 was painstakingly hand-built by JaguarSport, the three way partnership between Jaguar and Tom Walkinshaw Racing, in Bloxham, England. Simply 280 examples have been produced over a two-year interval, making them rarer than lots of their interval rivals.
The bonded aluminum honeycomb chassis was paired with modern, flowing bodywork crafted by Abbey Panels of Coventry. The design stays one of many cleanest of the analog supercar period, with easy, uninterrupted traces that look quick even at a standstill. This instance wears its authentic Le Mans Blue paint, a coloration that completely enhances its low, huge silhouette.
Purposeful aerodynamics outline each inch of the automotive. Louvers on the base of the windshield and rear window assist stabilize airflow, underbody venturi tunnels channel air right into a rear diffuser, and a delicate trunk-mounted spoiler provides downforce with out disrupting the automotive’s swish profile.
Collector-Grade Particulars
Open the dihedral doorways, and the inside tells one other story, one in all understated British luxurious blended with motorsport performance. The Smoke Gray leather-based upholstery, bolstered sport seats, and darkish microsuede accents give the cabin a period-correct, minimalist vibe. The dashboard wraps across the driver, with gauges fastidiously organized for straightforward visibility, together with a 360 km/h speedometer and a tachometer with a 7,000-rpm redline.
Even the extra minor particulars communicate to its hand-built nature. The instrument binnacle flows into the adjoining door panel, the place auxiliary gauges for enhance, transaxle temperature, and an ammeter are situated. Facilities like air con, energy home windows, and a CD stereo system remind you that the XJ220 was as a lot a grand tourer because it was a hyper-focused efficiency machine.
This instance reveals simply 8,000 kilometers — roughly 5,000 miles — on its six-digit odometer, making it one of many lower-mileage vehicles to floor in recent times. A delicate patina within the leather-based and a lightweight scuff on the microsuede door panel replicate cautious use slightly than neglect.
The Penthouse Years
What units this automotive aside is its unbelievable provenance. After leaving the manufacturing facility in July of 1993, it was shipped to Japan, the place it spent over a decade as a static show, parked excessive above town streets on the thirty seventh ground of a Tokyo workplace tower. The picture alone is nearly cinematic: one of many world’s quickest vehicles sitting quietly within the clouds, untouched by time.
When it lastly left Japan, it was imported to america by a Los Angeles collector, the place it joined an unique steady of unique equipment. Within the years since, it has been showcased at choose occasions and has earned admiration from fanatics and collectors alike.
As Convey a Trailer person Stratos shared within the feedback: “A couple of years in the past, I used to be wandering across the store at Autosport Designs. Tucked right into a again nook was a silver XJ220. First time sighting. Surprisingly, what stood out greater than the superior design was how I felt in its presence. ‘Stunningly stunning’ is just too trite an outline. This factor evoked one thing in my soul.”
Race-Bred Efficiency
On the coronary heart of the XJ220 lies its 3.5-liter JV6 V6, an evolution of the powerplant developed for the MG Metro 6R4 Group B rally automotive. On this utility, the engine options twin Garrett turbochargers, twin intercoolers, an aluminum block and heads, twin overhead cams per financial institution, 4 valves per cylinder, and Zytek digital engine administration. The result’s 542 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque, sufficient to rocket the automotive from 0 to 60 mph in a reported 3.6 seconds, a quantity that also instructions respect immediately.
A five-speed guide transaxle with a limited-slip differential sends energy to the rear wheels. The suspension is simply as unique, that includes unequal-length wishbones, inboard-mounted Bilstein coilovers, and anti-roll bars for distinctive steadiness and management. Braking is dealt with by AP Racing cross-drilled discs with four-piston calipers, guaranteeing the automotive stops as impressively because it accelerates.
This explicit instance just lately underwent servicing that included electrical work, a recent oil and filter change, and substitute of the gasoline pump, spark plugs, and wires. A compression check was additionally carried out in preparation for the sale. The promoting seller notes {that a} full inspection and repair are advisable earlier than prolonged street use — a standard step for collector-grade vehicles of this caliber.
Why the XJ220 Nonetheless Issues
Greater than 30 years after its debut, the Jaguar XJ220 stays one of the crucial fascinating supercars ever produced. It represents a second when the boundaries of velocity and design have been being pushed tougher than ever, earlier than electronics and hybrid methods took over the efficiency panorama.
Its rarity, technical innovation, and simple magnificence have made it a blue-chip collectible. The automotive’s mixture of understated British class and uncooked, analog efficiency has cemented its standing as one of many period’s icons.
Convey a Trailer commenter RAllen8800 captured the sentiment completely: “That is a kind of vehicles that has you daydreaming about promoting your own home to purchase the sports activities automotive, and worrying about the place you’ll dwell later.”
Prepared for Its Subsequent Chapter
Now a part of DriverSource’s Legends Vol. This XJ220 is a part of the III assortment and is obtainable with a Jaguar Heritage Belief Certificates, a clear Carfax report, and a Texas title. Its uncommon coloration, low mileage, and interesting backstory make it one of the crucial compelling examples to hit the market in recent times.
Alternatives to personal an XJ220 are uncommon. Alternatives to personal one with this sort of historical past are nearly remarkable. Whether or not it results in one other non-public assortment or with a courageous driver prepared to let the dual turbos sing, one factor is certain: this automotive will stay an object of awe and want for many years to come back.
