The Jaguar XJ220C was created specifically to compete in the 24 Hours of Leman race in 1993. The development of the sports car was based on the Jaguar XJ220, which had been in development since the mid-1980s.

About Jaguar XJ220C

Due to the difficult situation of the 90s, the spirit of sports car racing gradually faded away. It was only thanks to the enthusiasm and efforts of private customers from Group 44 in North America and TWR in Europe that they managed to hold on.

In the late 1980s, when constant changes to the championship rules began to occur and the costs of participating companies increased, participation in the races became impossible. There were also several fatal accidents during racing, which led to a further ban on the organization of the Group B championship.

After these events, Jaguar engineers worked hard on the Jaguar XJ220 , which was presented in Birmingham back in 1988 as a show car.

The Jaguar XJ220 supercar, built to Group B specifications, could compete with Ferrari (288 GTO and subsequent F40) and Porsche (959/961) cars both on the race track and on the public road.

The first supercar was supposed to be equipped with a V12 engine, with which the XJR-9LM won the Le Mans race. Accordingly, a 6.2-liter engine with 12 cylinders was installed on the Jaguar XJ220 Experimental Prototype .

This configuration was also tested on the racing version of the XJ220C, but in the end it was decided that this option was too heavy.

The V12 engine on board the XJ220C racer produced approximately 500 horsepower, which was comparatively on par with the Ferrari F40 and Porsche 959.

Like the Jaguar XJ220 Experimental Prototype , the V12 racing version featured all-wheel drive with a 31/69 front/rear torque split.

Unlike the carbon composite XJR supercar, the XJ220 had an aluminum chassis. The suspension was also inspired by competitors with double wishbones and pushrod shock absorbers.

Finally, the kit was packaged in an aluminum casing designed by Jaguar designer Geoff Lawson. The innovative design delighted fans. Like all modern sports cars, the XJ220 has been well-developed aerodynamic properties, including a flat underbody, which allows for high downforce. In good Jaguar tradition, the number 220 in the name represents the potential top speed in miles per hour.

When the XJ220 was unveiled in Birmingham, Jaguar noted that the car was nothing more than a show car and there was no talk of producing such a car. Immediately after the presentation of the Jaguar XJ220 concept, interested people appeared who wanted to purchase such a car. They were told that if the car was produced it would cost around £250,000.

A year later in December 1989, Jaguar announced the production of the road-going XJ220, with a limited edition of 220 units, with a possible increase to 350 units subject to the right demand.

Subsequent development and production of the XJ220 was entrusted to JaguarSport, a joint venture between Jaguar Cars and Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR), which also ran the competition programme.

The production XJ220 entered production in June 1992, but was different from the original show car. First of all, instead of the 6.2-liter V12 engine, a twin-turbo V6 appeared.

It is believed that this decision was made due to problems with the certification of harmful emissions. Despite the fact that the JRV-6 6-cylinder engine was half the size, it produced 10% (542 hp) more power than its predecessor.

Also among the significant changes was that all-wheel drive was replaced with rear-wheel drive. Also, the vertical doors were replaced with regular ones, which made access to the car interior significantly more difficult.

All this caused a lot of dissatisfaction on the part of investors, and the price of the car increased significantly. Many demanded the return of the deposit, some filed a lawsuit.

Development of the first XJ220C

To take its mind off the litigation, TWR stepped up its activities and developed a competitive version of the XJ220 for the new GT class. Most of the aluminum panels have been replaced with carbon fiber specimens, and a large rear wing has been installed.

A three-car "XJ220C" team was entered at Le Mans in 1993, but legal problems again struck the Jaguar supercar; The governing body ruled that catalytic converters were required, but Jaguar continued to race the XJ220C without them. David Brabham, John Nielsen and the young David Coulthard led the team to victory in the class, but the success was useless, as after a technical inspection of the cars, inspectors discovered a violation, and therefore the Jaguar was disqualified.

In response to declining demand, Jaguar limited road car production to 280 units. The last example rolled off the production line in 1994, but many more years passed before the last cars left the factory. TWR has updated six examples to XJ220S specification. These were actually road-going versions of the XJ220C race car. They also featured carbon fiber bodies, a rear wing and an upgraded engine. With the mandatory restrictors removed, the modified engine produced a staggering 680 hp.

Competitions and improvements

Jaguar XJ220C Chassis: 003

This car, the third of three XJ220Cs prepared for Le Mans, was entered by Jaguar Sport for Paul Belmondo, Jay Cochran and Andreas Fuchs. By 5 a.m. it had taken the class lead from its sister car, but the attempt was derailed by heavy spin caused by a blown tire and then by overheating problems, resulting in a cracked cylinder head and instant retirement.

Now in private hands, it was entered into Le Mans two years later, but mechanical failure again forced retirement. Following its modern racing career, it was sold to Japanese enthusiasts, who had its appearance restored by marque specialist Don Law Racing. It has seen little use since then, but was eventually offered for sale as a 2020 Artcurial Retromobile.

Jaguar XJ220C Chassis: 002

One of three XJ220Cs introduced at Le Mans in 1993, it was the first to cross the finish line in the GT1 class. However, the car driven by John Nielsen, David Brabham and David Coulthard was disqualified for running without catalytic converters. Never raced again, it was then sold to the Sultan of Brunei.

Luckily it never took delivery and was then sold to an enthusiast who owned the car for 18 years. Since 2011, he has appeared regularly at some events. At the end of 2018 it was offered for sale at Bonhams Bond Street.

Jaguar XJ220C Chassis: 001

Another car that competed in the Le Mans race, entered number 51. During the test run, the car crossed the finish line in 13th position. In June 1993, at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the car was unable to finish due to a number of reasons. The fate of the car is unknown.

Jaguar XJ220C Overview

Only 3 XJ220s were made for Le Mans, the output of the 3.5-liter twin-turbo six is ​​700 horsepower. Fuel consumption is about 30 liters per hundred.

Jaguar XJ220C Technical Specification

Engine: JRV-6 90º V6 3.5 liter configuration with 4 valves per cylinder (DOHC) and 90 degree cylinder angle. Installed longitudinally in the middle. Aluminum cylinder head and cylinder block. Working volume 3498 cubic meters. cm / 213.5 cc Inch., Power 550 hp. / 410 kW at 6500 rpm. Bosch fuel injection system. Aspiration – Two Garrett turbochargers (Twin Garrett Turbos). Torque 641 Nm / 473 ft-lb at 5,000 rpm, 157 hp/liter.

Transmission: A five-speed manual transmission with a double-disc clutch is installed.

Controls: Power rack and pinion steering wheel.

Suspension: Front suspension is double wishbone, pushrod shock absorbers, anti-roll bar installed The rear suspension is on double wishbones, toe rods, twin shock absorbers with a rocker arm, and a stabilizer bar is also installed.

Body: Aluminum monocoque connected to the chassis, body panels made of carbon inserts and aluminum. The car has 2 horizontally opening doors.

Interior: Inside, the designers left the main advantages of a road car. The amazing dashboard extends to the driver's door which looks amazing. In addition, darkened windows remained on the left and right. Also worth paying attention to is the glass roof, which is now darkened.

Electrical equipment: The car received not only a change in design, but also the modern electronic filling had to be removed as unnecessary. The car was equipped with an Apline CD player. The rear-view mirrors, like those of the road version, are controlled electrically. In addition, the dashboard does not have useful sensors to monitor indicators: fuel, oil pressure, coolant temperature, fuel pressure, fuel reserve, gearbox temperature, clock. All instruments were replaced with toggle switches and buttons, in accordance with the technical characteristics of a sports car.

Brakes: The brake system has a servo drive and ventilated discs. The model also has an ABS system.

Wheels: Front rims 17 inches, rear 18 inches. Tires 345 cm wide.

Dimensions: Weight - 1125 kg. Height - 1140 mm, length - 4850 mm, width - 2010 mm. Rear track - 1650 mm, front track - 1650 mm, wheelbase - 2640 mm.

Drive: Rear-wheel drive.

Jaguar XJ220C Photogallery