Auction: Jaguar XJ220S headed

The XJ220S model that is up for auction is chassis number 784 and it has been with the same owner for the last eight years.

To create the XJ220S, TWR removed all the aluminum bodywork (except the doors) and replaced it with carbon fiber, adding a front splitter, rear wing and wider side sills in the process. 

It originally came with a V6 power unit that produced 680hp (689PS/507kW) and 712Nm (526 lb-ft) of torque, but a new titanium exhaust system by TWR and additional engine updates has raised it to approximately 700 hp (709PS/521kW).

The leather interior has also been refurbished and Infiniti projector headlights have been added. Also refurbished are the car’s magnesium alloy wheels, although all-told, the current owner only notched up just 1,200 miles since he took custodianship of it.


   

Press Release

Lot 127 - 1993 Jaguar XJ220S Coupe

Estimate:
$225,000-$300,000 US
Est. 700 bhp, 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine, five-speed manual transmission, four-wheel independent suspension, and four-wheel disc brakes. Wheelbase: 104"

• One of only six built
• Recent major mechanical overhaul and restoration
• Twin-turbocharged, 700-horsepower engine
• Jaguar style and performance at its pinnacle

The original Jaguar XJ220 was introduced in the late 1980s as a concept; response was so strong that Jaguar enlisted Tom Walkinshaw Racing to conduct a feasibility study to determine if a production series would be possible. Although production was promised to be limited to just 350 units, Jaguar took deposits for 1,500 cars, which was then pared back to the originally promised limit.

The standard XJ220 had a body built of aluminum. TWR modified nine of these cars; three examples were transformed into the XJ220C to compete in GT racing, while the other six were designated as XJ220S. The XJ220S model, like this example, was comprised of five "standard" units and one additional "modified" version. They were produced as road-going cars built to comply with homologation requirements.

The Walkinshaw-built Jaguars were stripped of their aluminum body, save for the door skins. The original panels were replaced with carbon fiber and the XJ220Ss were also given a front splitter, wider sills and an adjustable rear spoiler. The additional body kit produced an even more menacing stance than that of the production XJ220. The carbon-fiber panels helped reduce the curb weight to a lithe 2,379 pounds, impressive for an 18-foot long Jaguar. The twin-turbo V-6 powerplant was overhauled to produce a whopping 680 horsepower and over 526 foot-pounds of torque.

The current owner of chassis number 784 has retained it for the last eight years. Over that period a great deal of time, effort and money have been expended to add substantial performance and value to this already impressive supercar. The owner opted to have a proper titanium exhaust system by Tom Walkinshaw Racing installed at a cost of nearly $20,000. An expert from Spain was flown in to install the exhaust as well as perform a major service on the engine. This included replacement of all belts, injector cleaning as well as recalibrating and updating of the computer software. The result of this work is an outstanding output of approximately 700 horsepower. The brakes and clutch have also been serviced.

The XJ220S was painstakingly repainted to match the Lamborghini color of Reventon Gray, making this supercar even more intimidating in a very contemporary color. Furthermore the leather interior was completely refurbished, and Infiniti projector headlights were also added. The original magnesium wheels were also refurbished and fitted with brand new tires. Since the early 2000s the owner has added about 1,200 miles to the odometer and only precious few since the cosmetic and mechanical overhaul completed this past year. It has been shown and won accolades at SEMA and is followed by a loyal group of devotees. Most other examples of the rare XJ220S reside in museums or in vast car collections and as a result have attained a mythical status. These special Jaguars deliver style and performance that is truly on par with more contemporary supercars yet arguably remains the most undervalued member of the species.