220's plenty! The Jaguar XJ220 Story

Why did the XJ220, a car named because it was expected to go 220mph (354 km/h) only manage 212mph (342 km/h)? Why did the boss of TWR go white when he first heard of it? And why did it both win and not win the 24-hour race of Le Mans?
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Full interview with Nick: • Full Jaguar XJ220 inte...
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Sources:
Interview with Nick Hull
www.aronline.co.uk/concepts-a...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrari...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McLaren_F1
#bigcar

[@BigCar2]

Links to Nick's books (not affiliated): Ford: amzn.eu/d/1t7l1yz Land Rover: amzn.eu/d/ivxElby

[@antraxxslingshots]

I am surprised that a "book" of "Land Rover - Designs" has more than three Pages :D

[@LarsAgerbk]

Lol

[@jonnywalker3208]

I'm sure the pictures were HUGE 😅

[@MrRhoobarb1]

​@@jonnywalker3208😂 for reading ages 2+

[@jonnywalker3208]

@@MrRhoobarb1 🤣

[@worldtraveler930]

🤠👍

[@JohnDoe-jy1kn]

I remember the day my xj220 was delivered. It cost about a hundred shell petrol vouchers. I hounded my family members to buy at shell to obtain said vouchers. It was about eight inches long and the glass engine cover opened just like a real one.

[@rogerking7258]

I had a connection with a company that had a Jaguar contract to race the XJ220. I called in one day to find that they were a little despondent because the cars they had been supplied with to turn in to race cars were early pre-production examples and there were a lot of parts missing particularly from the suspension. However, I had my son with me and he had his 1/18 scale model of the XK220 with him. The guys grabbed hold of it and were looking all over to see what was missing from their real example. Turned out that the model was damn good and provided quite a bit of information.

[@JoshuaC923]

Those 1/18 models always impress me, superb details, but also superb pricing😂

[@SmallBlogV8]

@@JoshuaC923The prices for 1:18s wasn't always as steep as we take for granted now. IIRC it started inflating in the late 2000s or thereabouts. They used to be cheap enough that my parents bought me one (typically Maisto or Bburago) quite regularly... but not once they were £40, £50 a pop, and upwards... My first ever 1:18 was a dark green XJ220 with a beige interior. It's lost its door mirrors since then, but I still have it somewhere!

[@andyrbush]

That is brilliant, love it. Of course today they can scan the model then 3D print the parts they need, remembering to make them a bit bigger though.

[@jakobquick6875]

I’ve never understood why they dropped the true 220 concept that everyone put their money on. Made no sense, basically threw free money way to build the best high tech and super car Baffles me, but than again it’s a British jag so not much brains. I.e. their v12 crap engines that I see getting scrapped instead of fixing

[@dlevi67]

No issue with a relevant "promotion" - it's the ready-meals or VPN deals on history channels that are annoying. Thank you for keeping this channel what it is!

[@73twall]

I remember seeing this in a magazine as a high schooler. I was completely gobsmacked. I was used to some sexy jags, but nothing on this level. Still one of the most gorgeous designs ever put on the road. Thanks for a great video.

[@JTA1961]

Well said

[@JoshuaC923]

The design never gets old! Still looks futuristic

[@malcolmwhite6588]

I only ended up with a few sexy Hags!-no jags😂

[@martinhazel7549]

Love the 959 and the F40 but the XJ220 is in a league all of its own it's just stunning.

[@andyreact]

I've only seen one of these once in real life and it looked absolutely amazing in person, but I was shocked how big it was! Looked huge, especially for an old car!

[@jonnywalker3208]

To this day, age 36 and having been to over 100 car shows I've never seen one in the flesh so trust me when I say I'm jealous haha.

[@andyreact]

@@jonnywalker3208 it was at a Tesco petrol station! 🤣 just parked up looking bad ass! 👍

[@GillianKleiser]

The British Motor museum has the original proto plus several production cars. If you are ever in the UK it is a worth trip to the Sancta Sanctorum of British motor sport. ❤

[@magikjoe3789]

I saw one on the M42 t'other day. Stunning

[@NobleDistortion]

I've seen one in Beuily Motorsports museum in Southampton. This was in the 90s so I don't know if it is still there.

[@nadeemchaudhry6585]

Another amazing video and thanks for the great interview. Unexpected but this is why you will be one of the best car history channels out there!!

[@jefdamen2977]

Agreed

[@ticotube2501]

Yup, I always enjoy the calm and no-BS presentation of these great and/or memorable car stories.

[@JoshuaC923]

@@ticotube2501absolutely!

[@VoloKinProject]

Very interesting story with nice insights. The XJ220 has an absolutely timeless design making the 959 looking like something from the '60s.

[@Wargasm54]

That’s because the 959 (911 body) is something from the 60’s. The 911 is so “timeless “ that it’s still being produced today….unlike the Jaguar.

[@harapaki3412]

its hideous!

[@amytysoe2292]

Not only did the tail lights come from rhe Rover 200, but Rover didn't let them have the version with the fancy grey-smoked indicators

[@BOABModels]

My favourite car as a kid. I now work in the building next door to the concept version shown in this very video.

[@RichardTait1977]

When I saw this as a concept (it was supposed to run to 220mph with a V12 engine) I was floored. It instantly became my dream car and I followed it keenly until it hit the streets with the 3.5L twin turbo V6 but only ran to 212mph. It was still the fastest car in the world and still my dream car. Time has proven that it really wasn't a great driving car but it still looks gorgeous and if I ever got the chance to buy one, I would.

[@admiraltiberius1989]

I remember when Top Gear did a bit in the mid 2000s talking about how Supercars of the 80s/ 90s were more powerful then the cars of the current era. And seeing how simple some of the Supercars were from the 80s and 90s were has really stuck with me. The XJ220 was one of those hardcore beast that was tamed just enough to be loosed onto the roads.

[@stephmaccormick3195]

Please stop referring to Top Gear, this is a serious car channel.

[@admiraltiberius1989]

@stephmaccormick3195 ummmm...... how about no ??

[@cyrus8886]

​@@stephmaccormick3195why so butthurt This channel referred to top gear on multiple occasions lol

[@admiraltiberius1989]

As someone who is in their mid 30s, Top Gear was the genesis, the very bedrock on which my love of cars was built. I know it was mostly satire and should only rarely be taken seriously. But it was still highly influential and fun.

[@pagatron504]

​@@admiraltiberius1989it was a serious car programme back in the 90s

[@user-mr4jx9zo5p]

It is interesting that you managed to get the man who created the car itself. Which peak my interest? I didn't know that. And thanks for contacting this man and sharing this amazing story.

[@michaelteret4763]

Pique

[@user-mr4jx9zo5p]

@@michaelteret4763 :) good to see

[@kyronrc]

I absolutely love this thing. I dont care if it didn't get the 3 mph it needed for 220 because it looks just timeless, and has some incredible engineering underneath that beautiful skin. Already a future classic, this is one of the greats!

[@deadprivacy]

Its one of the most beautiful cars ever built.

[@PetrolHead_Works]

I was expecting a video about Peugeot 405, but anything from this channel is worth watching.

[@BigCar2]

That's coming in 2 weeks time. I'd done this one first and told Nick it was coming out today, so didn't want to change the order.

[@PetrolHead_Works]

@@BigCar2 thanks for your response. Can't wait for the upcoming videos. Your channel is one of the best for petrol heads like me. 🙏🙏🙏

[@grrlpurpleable]

My brother had a small hand in the XJ220 back in the day, always great to see it... such a beautiful supercar of the era and still one of the most beautiful to date IMO :)

[@Whatshisname346]

I remember the buzz around this car when I was in my early teens. I bought every issue of Car and performance car featuring the xj220. The speed test at Nardo was very cool. Martin Brundle did the driving and a decat version did 217 mph. Not the magic 220 but when your only reference was the 201 of the F40, it was an amazing achievement. It’s a car Britain should be rightfully proud of.

[@McLarenMercedes]

"when your only reference was the 201 of the F40" 201mph was a *theoretical top speed* which Ferrari test drivers supposedly saw. In reality the owners of F40's all claim that the car hits a wall at 180mph and if you're lucky you'll see 190mph after a really long straight. Fact is even skilled race drivers recording their test top speed runs with the F40 - including the famous one from Japan in which the owner actually got charged by the Japanese police using his very own video as evidence - shows the F40 grinding down to a virtual halt at 300-305km/h (186-190mph). 217mph wasn't 220mph but the oval shaved 3-4mph off the top speed so on a long straight it could do 220+ mph. The F40 however was "geared to do 201mph" if it hit the rev limiter in top gear. It wasn't a genuine 200mph top speed car. The Jaguar XJ220 was.

[@detonator2112]

That is a legendary car. Never seen one in the flesh though. It was the ultimate car in one of the old Need For Speed games.

[@davidrussell8689]

Superb video and as with the twingo story getting an interview with the designer is great : it puts at least one face on all the hard work done by the team .

[@smax13]

Nick Hull Is a legend! He taught me automotive proportion principles at coventry uni back in 2011.

[@davedear929]

I used to live close to the Jag factory in Brown's Lane as a teenager I saw many Jags on the road on test plates, but ne ver one of these. To me it's as iconic and beautiful as the E-type. Such a shame internal politics came into it. Brilliantly researched and presented as usual. Keep them coming and many thanks Mr Big car.

[@adzy166]

Never fails to raise a smile when I’m in Glasgow and see the ubiquitous “Twenty’s Plenty” sign. String work !

[@SonicBoone56]

Every time a design sketch was shown, I went "DAYYYYUM". Some of those are gorgeous looking!

[@John_O_Maoilearca]

Now that they’ve killed it off, you must tell the story of the XJ - the ‘Experimental Jaguar’

[@JK061996]

Pininfarina did a one-off XJ220 for the Sultan of Brunei in 1995, I think it looks pretty cool

[@johnhindley5233]

I wish I'd bought one at 75% off just like the bargain 6R4s that were for sale at my local dealer. Hindsight is wonderful 😂

[@faridarridho8620]

Finally my favorite 90s supercar really came!!

[@BlakesPipes]

I grew up in New Jersey, and my neighboring town was Bernardsville. The cars that I saw growing up was amazing. many of my friends parents owned high end quality cars like this. I do not see these types of cars in Virginia. Along with the food, I miss seeing the current super cars that I grew up with. thank you for a look inside. I know understand why I loved Jaguar and only the people that came from nothing, and made there money, owned a Jag! I have not made it yet to buy one, but i am not dead yet. So!

[@qc2731]

This has always been since my childhood, my “dream” car so to speak. I was enamoured with it then, and still am to this day. Thanks for this brilliant video

[@thanakonpraepanich4284]

I heard the sound of engine startup at Bangkok Classic Car Show in 2004 and that was when the dream died. It does sound like a lawnmower engine with lots of rattling.

[@ATomRileyA]

The only time i have ever saw a XJ220 on the road was one time when i was late for the airport driving over the speed limit, suddenly about 20 or so diablos and countachs overtook me at some speed as i was doing 100mph+, then a few secs later a XJ220 flew past at i am guessing over 170mph because it just flew past as i was speeding and it made me look like i was standing still. Was an amazing sight and i still remember it well.

[@xKiNx]

Lucky enough to drive one of these through a friend in Shreveport some 18 years ago. A memory I will keep forever, the weight and absolutely massive size.

[@sha22276]

I remember playing Need For Speed 2, with the Mclaren F1, Ferrari F50 and the Jaguar XJ220 if i am not mistaken

[@leonlawrencez28]

I saw one of these for the first time a few years ago at a car show. To this day it's the most beautiful car I have ever seen.

[@Graves-81_69]

The XJ220 was the first super car I ever loved and it’s still in my top 3.

[@Emppu_T.]

Among one of my favorite supercars of it's time. Still the swooping lines of it look timeless to me. I was lucky enough to see one this year in person, parked outside a show in the parking lot. I took a short but thorough video walk around it but i seemed to have lost the videos. Only criticism i would add is the lorry wheels. And this definitely would look great in a pure white color.

[@MrSolvalou]

Truly a fascinating story! Seems like many automotive legends were created in secrecy during designers spare time.

[@anthonyfrench3169]

I love watching your shows and I especially love when you get an opportunity to talk to the people who were responsible for the design of said vehicle. Personal history plus Automotive history equals amazing

[@GaryJohnWalker1]

Fascinating, great input from Hull. And have to admit I appreciate the 220 a little more - had a vague idea of it being an off plan project but now understand better the v12 to v6 swap. And all that weight saving. Good stuff. I suppose that v12 was best suited to big cruisers - XJ saloons and maybe the xjs than true sports

[@tjroelsma]

It might have made sense, but that change from the promised V12 to the V6 is in my opinion what ultimately made the XJ220 a stillborn project. A significant number of buyers demanded a refund because of that V6, as it wasn't the kind of "TWR XJR-9 road-going version" Jaguar had promised them. They were in it for that mighty 7-liter NA V12 that went head-to-head with the turbo-charged Mercedes V8 and the turbo-charged Porsche flat-6 and when Jaguar scrapped that engine in favour of the turbo-charged V6 "from a Rover/MG", they felt betrayed.

[@J0hnny8ravo]

@@tjroelsmawell, they have just lost a future legendary car. I sincerely feel sorry for those snobs. But just a little.

[@tjroelsma]

@@J0hnny8ravo Look at it this way: say you're a big fan of the Honda S2000. And Honda announces it's successor: the all new S2500, with a 2,5 liter 4-cylinder VTEC version of that famous 2 liter 4-cylinder VTEC engine and you can pre-order now. As you have the money and as said are a big fan, you pre-order and pay Honda a deposit. After some time Honda starts delivering the first cars and to everyone's surprise the S2500 doesn't have the promised 2,5 4-cylinder VTEC engine, but instead it has a 1,3 3-cylinder turbocharged engine, without the VTEC system. Wouldn't you feel betrayed by Honda, cancel your order and demand a refund?

[@comfortablynumb9861]

Possibly my favourite 220 video to date

[@Umski]

I was a kid when I first laid eyes on the concept photos - being from Coventry it was close to me as it were - I was so happy when I persuaded my Dad to buy fuel at Shell so I could get a Matchbox model - I still have it 😊😁

[@djjudas21]

I guess a lot of the sales fell through because people thought they were buying a V12 but got a V6. It was clearly a good engine, but a V6 just doesn’t have the same cachet.

[@BigCar2]

And it was bloody expensive!

[@Suprahampton]

And the 90's financial crash

[@alantaylor353]

I didn't know that the XJR-15 became the Nissan R-390.! It's kind of obvious now that I look at them side by side.. Thank you once again for giving us another piece of highly valuable & critically important car knowledge.. 😉 😉 😂 😂 👍 👍 👍 Stay safe out there mate & best wishes from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🙏 ❤️

[@TygonBC]

Me neither! If you put the road versions (there were only two of the R-390 I believe) side by side they are even more alike. Who knew?

[@duckrutt]

The Joest Porsche WSC95 was built on a XJR-14 chassis. It did alright for itself.

[@KarlHamilton]

Wasn't mentioned in your video, but it would actually do 220MPH in a straight line, if you could find one big enough, which they couldn't. Lol.

[@BigCar2]

I think the XJ220-S did manage over 220mph, but it couldn't be replicated. But then once I research these videos the facts go in one ear and out the other, so I might be wrong.

[@neilmustow368]

Great XJ220 story I remember seeing the original concept car at the 1988 NEC Motor Show as a teenager 😎😎😎😎

[@Hopgoodd]

Loved the show! Nice work!

[@warmstrong5612]

My most favorite Jag by far.

[@dr-data2144]

Great video - i'm going towatch the full interview one right now 😊😎

[@automotiveaffairsshorts]

The information in this video is gold. Thank you for doing it!

[@DigitalJunior2003]

I remember first taking photos of the XJ220 at the NEC motorshow in 1988

[@NathanWoollaston]

Yet another wonderful film. One I've waited for! My era!

[@NLBassist]

You have one of my favourite channels on KZbinm but this episode is extremely awesome. Thank you!

[@htimmermans1938]

Great episode!!!!

[@Superior208]

It will go down in history as a beautiful car..

[@themauwie8933]

Yeee... this was amazing. As usual. :) And I LOVE those interviews. This channel is amazing. Thanks.

[@Thomsonicus]

Man! This is an interesting Channel. Many Thanks!

[@paulhorton916]

Fabulous. So interesting and well researched. Thankyou for posting.

[@RetroTinkerer]

Wow thanks for this video, amazing details of this legend!

[@sugar4522]

I remember in school the 6r4 was cool because it had a jag engine but I’m guessing the jag had a metro engine.. such a beautiful machine.

[@mohammadalfattal2902]

this is an amazing video, thank you so much

[@J0hnny8ravo]

Thank you for this video! As a teenager in the early ‘90s, this was the grail car we all dreamt of. Imho, this was an instant classic, still a legendary car for years to come.

[@JediRuss77]

I have been a fan of this car since I saw it on Top Gear 30ish years ago. It is the dream. My powerball car

[@jonnywalker3208]

I love your videos so much! All these years I thought 36 year old me had ALL the car knowledge down to a T ... yet I learn something more with each video you upload, thank you! Keep up the amazing work.

[@garethshaw5165]

I remember seeing the car on tv being launched and thinking Wow!! I became obsessed with them. I got and still have a model XJ220 and I had the game for my dads Amiga 600. Coupled with the fact I grew up around Jaguars as my grandad had 2 and uncles had them I fell in love with it and still love it today

[@MrRea112]

The XJR15 was a gorgeous looking car

[@JesseJames83]

Absolutely love this car

[@camrunner6633]

Such a stunning car

[@nmelo]

Very interesting bits of history about the XJ220 project and other stuff happening around it at the time. Big Car is one of the best channels in KZbin. High quality content, always!

[@JTA1961]

Always 👍

[@robfrith103]

Great video. I loved this car as a kid and had a Burago model of it in BR green.

[@larstragl146]

This video is a very nice piece of journalism

[@afrancis1582]

Interesting video. I was at the NEC Motorsport when the car was unveiled. It was the most stunning car I’d ever seen. Grown men (including me) flocked around it like little school boys.

[@zippy4166]

another quality presentation well done sir ( Si from Somerset England)

[@robkleinlangevelsloo259]

Thanks! The effort that must have gone into making this video... Increddible

[@cornishrider]

I saw it at the NEC as a teenager then In 1994 I started my career as a Jaguar Salesman, there were still unsold XJ220's available then to Dealers I think it took another 3 years to clear them out, Grange Jaguar took a fair few. From memory I think they were £120,000 retail! We borrowed one for an event and were forbidden from starting or driving it as the clutch was so viscous/temperamental plus the bodywork was very susceptible to damage. Come what may a stunning car!

[@gaveintothedarkness]

Looking forward to watching this video. Question for you (hope it wasnt already answered). Everyone always points out that tires are near impossible to find for this car and a lot of owners wont drive theirs because they have 20+ year old tires. How come owners cant simply swap in an aftermarket tire/rim combination for their car? If they can own an exquisite car like this, then the price for having some custom 3 piece wheels to match the bolt pattern and wheel offsets shouldnt be too costly, and would open them up to available new production tires, which would allow the owners to actually drive and enjoy this wonderful machine.

[@jonfrank2566]

My father had a deposit for one back in the day. I remember going to Bloxham where we met the sales and marketing guy ( I think ). Car was still not finished. I remember them agonizing over interior trim. Some thought to be a Jag it had to have a wooden dashboard! They really were a bit confused as to what the car was for. Once the stories started circulating about customer reluctance my father bailed out and managed to sell his deposit on. Bought a 959 instead. Those were the days...

[@pommycalva]

Nice choice the 959,I love them!

[@jaimanselle]

My favorite car design of all time.

[@rolandsuch]

Intetesting aside, I was working for the Valeo plant in Germany that had designed and manufactured the Ford door locks with discs instead of pins. One of the features of these locks was that any Ford key could lock the car but only the correct key would unlock it. Jaguar would later also adopt this type of lock but with two extra fields thus increasing the possible number of codings. I can‘t remember the exact details, but as you mentioned, the 220 was productionised as the very first Jaguar under Ford management, snd so the door lock set was tsken from the Ford Escort, if I remember correctly, traditionally Jaguar locked the doors by turning the key in the opposite direction to Ford, this meant that the first cars built, any key could unlock the car, but only the correct key could lock it!! I think they then corrected this by mounting the left lock in the righthand door and vice versa!! I visited Bloxam Mill several times during this period.

[@thatcheapguy525]

having been in the engine shop at TWR in 1985, some of this video is a trip down memory lane and the rest of it has filled in loads of gaps about the XJ220

[@russellhammond4373]

Great video.

[@colrhodes377]

A stunning car

[@RoryRevs]

Yet another fantastic upload, extremely attractive car and story, i hope one day to see and sit in one in person. 😊

[@rtfazeberdee3519]

Great video

[@stoneylonesome4062]

It reminds me a lot of Isuzu’s prototype rear-Mid-engine Supercar.

[@shaywhelan1]

Another insightful and most enjoyable story. So nice to have the inside track from Nick Hull. I didn't know where you were going when while talking about the engine, you cut to a Mini Metro. How'd have though such a fascinating and fast car would include bits from a Metro (ok, the rally version) Ford Fiesta, and one of my own old cars, a Rover 200 (who's story you told). I remember the coverage of the cases at the time. I wonder did it do Jaguar any long term damage. Rare that a car, or any company, sues its won customers.

[@commander545]

I saw the silver car on the Nordschleife in May, 1991. Jaguar made Testdrives in the early morning. I was surprised that Jaguar did Tests on the Track when normal drivers were driving there too. The XJ overtake me lToyota Corolla GT) on the long straight with Warp speed. I saw the car only a short time, the hide it in a Jaguar race truck at the Grand Prix Track.

[@nundashamanu]

Thoroughly enjoy these videos. Healthy viewing 😁

[@ianalderton6683]

I know Nick ! ! brilliant input, love it ; )

[@antonio_25]

The Ford GT90 Concept Car is based on the XJ220 😍

[@blxtothis]

A great edition, well done! I cancelled my pre-order when I found that the V12 had been cut in half!

[@OVB_NL]

This car is my all-time favourite car. If i won the lottery and bought 1 supercar, this would be it. I built so many models of this car when i was young and I got an opportunity to get a ride in it at a Birmingham classic motorshow as part of a charity event. Amazing car... 🙂

[@RobJaskula]

I've always loved these but never seen one in person

[@supertouring22]

Still the most beautiful car ever made.

[@whynotagain3639]

217 is plenty don't you mean? I've not watched it yet, planning on doing so tomorrow, however couldn't resist commenting!

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

The most beautiful supercar of all time

[@jamesward1931]

A stunning motor car, this was my bedroom wall poster car as a kid, this and a 959 🥰

[@alancobbin]

Superb👍

[@spinosauruswearingboots4156]

I’ve been lucky enough to own a couple of xj220’s, metal shaped pencil cases when I was at school!

[@leemoldon]

Great and informative vid as always. I did read somewhere years ago that the metro 6R4 v6 engine was basically a rover v8 with 2 cylinders lopped off.....but could be mistaken

[@SIERRACOS]

Urban myth. Prototype 6r4s did run with a V6 version of the rover V8 so they could develop the chassis while waiting for the V64v to be produced. That engine was a bespoke design by David Wood.

[@subconscious.com_usa6691]

It was basically a copy of a Cosworth DFV internally minus 2 cylinders. The original Rover v8 is a push-rod single overhead cam engine with a weird angle where the rocker covers sit which makes the rocker covers level in the engine bay and makes the engine look compact. The Metro 6R4 v6 engine is a double overhead cam camshaft design with cam belts instead of a cam chain and a different V-angle. I have read all the articles and people do actually say its a Rover v8 with 2 cylinders lopped off but I cant see how it can be.

[@LatteLover]

A beautiful super Jag