Automobiles Review

Tag: Jaguar XJ220

  • Ex-Brunei Royal Family XJ220 Offered By Silverstone Auction

    It will be considered a sin if one makes a list of 1990s supercars and does not mention the Jaguar XJ220 there. The very special, specious, and, more or less, degenerated coupe (of course when it is compared to 2015 Renovo Coupe for instance) still manages to fascinate the imaginations of collectors around the world. Perhaps the bittersweet history of the car has a role in this established old-fashioned splendor that springs out of the XJ220 model. With its outdated and yet salient characteristics, the supercar remains an icon which demands respect. That is indeed a car for a Royal family… Or, at least, it used to be.

    Now let me take you back in time. In 1988, Jaguar automobile company revealed a concept car that was supposed to be powered by a 530-hp V12 engine. Yet, until the time when rolling prototypes started being made, there occurred slight changes. The initially planned V12 engine was replaced by a new V6 with the promise of more than 200 mph top speed. Nevertheless, the XJ220 would end up being equipped with a 542-hp 3.5-liter twin turbocharged V6 engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox driving the rear wheels. With 0-60mph acceleration in the screaming 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 213mph the XJ220 was considered to be the fastest road car back in the day even though its fame and glory only lasted for a short period of time.

    The car has now covered just less than 6,000 miles and is supported by MoT certificates dating back to 2002. Moreover, Silverstone Auctions estimates this 1994 Jaguar XJ220 to bring between £200,000 and £220,000 on auction day, or between $322,000 and $355,000.

    Something quite exciting is that such beauty also exists in Bulgaria. The modified version by Overdrive has the modest price of 400 001 euros (about $544 300 and £300 000).

    1994 Jaguar XJ220
    1994 Jaguar XJ220
    1994 Jaguar XJ220

    Source: Silverstone Auctions 

  • Jaguar XJ220 20 Years Later

    Jaguar-XJ220-thumbIt has been 20 years since the first XJ220 rolled out from it’s own factory in Bloxham and even by today’s standards it still is a masterpiece. In 1992, the fastest one could go was 213 mph, in an XJ 220. That threshold is a challenge for today’s M5.

    Originally conceived as a concept car, designed by Keith Helfet, the XJ220 was showcased on the 1988 British Motor Show. It was the kind of concept that nobody believed that it would be built but an year later production was given a green light and the TWR company was appointed as a partner.

    The XJ engineers started off with some goals and then set on to build the car that can meet them. The ideas back then were visionary, daring and some even sounding impossible – it had to be light, it had to be RWD and it had to do 220 mph (hence the name XJ220). The obvious thing to do to reach such heights in velocity was to throw in a gigantic engine and let it do its job. However, fitting a V12 proved tricky (mechanically) and also because of the emissions regulation there was no way for this car to be street legal and that powerful if it were with 12 cylinders. The next best thing was turbocharging – two massive Garrett T3 turbines were bolted on the modest 3.5 L, V 6 engine and the end result was just mesmerizing: 550 PS and 475 lbs ft of torque surging trough a 5-speed gearbox and space devouring 345/35 Bridgestones. Other highlights included the AP racing twin-plate clutch and AP disc brakes with four-pot callipers. They were a bit of a handful for the ordinary everyday driver for one had to be fairly built to operate them but it all worked as charm nevertheless.

    Jaguar XJ220 (1993)
    Jaguar XJ220 (1992)

    Despite the positive reaction of various critics and motoring enthusiasts, the XJ was a commercial failure. Production ceased in 1994, by which time only 275 cars had been built. The price was a bit too steep (740 861 U.S. Dollars) and undoubtedly it was hard to live with.

    The point of this car however, was to prove how with the apt engineers of Jaguar, there are no boundaries. The silver car in attendance at the recent Jaguar Experience Day held at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon is chassis 004, one of 10 pre-production vehicles. This example was used for extensive tyre and high speed testing at Fort Stockton, Texas, in 1991. Andy Wallace achieved a maximum speed of 213 mph in the car during the testing process.

    The XJ220 S was another daring project which was basically built from scrap (Le Mans spare parts really). It had single-piece carbon fibre front and rear clamshells, tweaked suspension and a claimed power of 700 PS. Inside the otherwise luxurious trim was sacrificed for the sake of Kevlar bucket seats and carbon fibre panels. It was a true sporting breed. And today it is a classic on top of that.

    1993 Jaguar XJ220 S
    1993 Jaguar XJ220 S
    1993 Jaguar XJ220 S
    1993 Jaguar XJ220 S

    Source: Jaguar

  • Eterniti Hemera – The World’s First Super-SUV

    Eterniti is an independent, boutique British luxury carmaker, uniquely based in London. The company aims to satisfy a growing demand for additional luxury, personalised specifications and exclusivity among car buyers, particularly in major cities and global wealth centres.

    The company’s first car will reflect this. The Hemera will be the world’s first Super-SUV, providing new levels of luxury, space and performance in an SUV to create a new niche. It will feature a limousine-like rear cabin, including twin reclining seats, iPads and a drinks chiller, giving customers the option of being chauffeured as well as driving. But with compact dimensions, 4×4 ruggedness and dynamic performance, it is also both practical and retains driver appeal.

    The Hemera will be shown in Frankfurt as a prototype, with production and deliveries to start in 2012. It is based on the latest generation of the best large SUV platform available, which will undergo a chassis-up rebuild, with a new, repackaged interior, carbon-composite body panels and additional performance.

    Eterniti Hemera
    Eterniti Hemera

    Eterniti is backed by a group of international investors and has been established by people who have a passion for cars. The team has extensive experience in retailing some of the most prestigious British and European luxury and high-performance car brands, in markets from the UK to Asia-Pacific. It has further experience in the development and manufacture of high-end components and motor sport.

    The engineering team is led by Alastair Macqueen, who was responsible for the development of the Jaguar XJ220 supercar to production and has won the Le Mans 24-Hour race with both Jaguar and Bentley. Eterniti also has its very own F1 driver, Johnny Herbert, like Macqueen victorious at Le Mans but in addition a winner of three Grands Prix during a 10-year Formula 1 career. Johnny will have an active involvement in developing Eterniti vehicles as well as serving as an ambassador for the brand.

    Eterniti is establishing a London hub featuring a showroom, car build and service centre, and a separate atelier where customers can discuss their requirements and create a bespoke specification for their cars, which will be hand-built on site by British craftsmen and technicians. The London facilities will open later this year, with further showrooms in key international cities to follow from 2012.

    Eterniti Hemera
    Eterniti Hemera
    Eterniti Hemera

    Source: Еterniti Motors

  • Jaguar XJ220 – The Inside Story

    Jaguar XJ220 is an iconic car. It was produced between 1992-1994 and totally 281 units were made. The original idea for the super car is to feature mighty V12 engine and 4WD. However, the engineers dropped the idea for V6 and RWD. Definitely a good idea.

    XJ220 is powered by a 3.5 liter twin-turbocharged V6 with 550PS (404 kW) at 7000RPM and 645Nm (476 lb-ft) of torque at 4500RPM. It is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox and sends the power to the rear wheels. The curb weight of the sports car is just 1372 kg (3 024 lb). The top speed is a record – 349 km/h (217 mph).

    The price is a record, too – $650 000 (£403 000).

    1992 Jaguar XJ220

    So, if you are in France for Le Mans you might like to know that Mike Moreton, author of ‘Jaguar XJ220 – The Inside Story’ published by Veloce, is hosting a gathering of Jaguar enthusiasts to celebrate the recent publication of his fascinating book.

    The meeting will be at L’Aubergeade, a beautiful restaurant in the village of Diou (postcode 36260), near Vierzon on June 14th. Mr. Moreton will be on hand to sign books and to talk about his time directing the XJ220 project.

    Cost per person will be c.90 euros. To make a booking call or fax Jackie or Carolyn at L’Aubergeade 0033 (0)254 492288. There will be only 60 gueasts.

    Still, if you can’t go personally, you can order the book online.

    Jaguar XJ220 – The Inside Story
    By Mike Moreton

    ISBN: 9781845842505
    UPC: 636847042509
    Available now.
    UK £24.99, USA $49.95

    1992 Jaguar XJ220

    1992 Jaguar XJ220
    1992 Jaguar XJ220
    1992 Jaguar XJ220
    1992 Jaguar XJ220

    Source: Jaguar