Supercar Stories - Jaguar XJ220

Good Morning! :D
Stepping into the ring of high performance motoring after years of stagnation under British Leyland, Jaguar entered the fray with perhaps the best looking supercar of the era with the XJ220, a machine of gigantic proportions, but with a perfect mixture of style and performance that helped it win the title of world's fastest production car, only for what should have been a sales coup like the Ferrari F40 to be torn down by mechanical compromises that led to widespread consequences.
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References:
- Garage Dreams (and their respective sources)
- Wikipedia (and its respective references)

[@michaelhalsall5684]

It's sad that the XJ220 wasn't more sucessful. The "Saturday Club" where designers and engineers freely offered their time to develop this machine must have been truely unique in large organisations and was the opposite of what usually happened at British Leyland! P.S. There is an XJ220 in the Fox Collection in Melbourne, Australia.

[@monkeymagic4555]

That's a car that has aged (and improved with time) very very well looks considerably better now than it did back in its day!

[@cpt_bill366]

I have seen and touched one in Sarasota, FL. Even though I was just a teenager and my family never had cars like it, I instantly knew what it was. This car was better at marketing to children of the 90's than potential buyers. I didn't care how fast it was. The thing looked like a spaceship to me, and remains a unique supercar.

[@Kamina1703]

My favourite Jag. Such a Sublime Machine.

[@The-Cat]

Sexy from, stunning sides, dissapopinting rear... Makes the whole package still acceptable as a beautiful machine

[@WhateverMcCoy]

Of all the 1:18 scale model cars I've owned as a kid, Maisto's XJ220 (in British Racing Green) is the one I never let go of. Proudly on display for the past 25 years. And once in a while, I rewatch Need For Speed 2 SE's showcase video for the XJ220 as it perfectly fits the car's spirit.

[@rogerpritchard]

I have the same model in green. Never played with. My father bought it. Absolutely would never sell it.

[@MayheM_72]

I remember seeing this in all the car magazines in the early 90s, and I thought it was BEAUTIFUL! 3 90s supercars that caught my eye were the XJ220, the Bugatti EB110, and the Yamaha OX99-11. I never saw the Maclaren F1 as beautiful.

[@DummyThiccOwO]

The XJ220 is my favorite car! Crazy that it’s still the fastest V6 ever!

[@paul.alarner6410]

my dad used to tune metro 6r4 engines (same engine as the 220),he did one for a spanish guy,was bored and stroked to 4ltr running 2 bar boost,put out a 1000hp on the dyno,the owner of the metro took my dad for a spin,he said it was the fastest time he had ever been fron 0-100mph and back ! he worked for goodmans racing of daventry uk,was in late 1990's.

[@lebojay]

The only thing wrong with this car are the promises Jaguar made. By any measure it is sublime, and certainly can hold its head high against an F40 or 959. If Jaguar had only said nothing and surprised us with the finished product this car would have the legend status it deserves. People always mention the engine is from a Metro rally car … and never mention it was also in the XJR-10 and XJR-11 race cars. After the XJR-9 TWR replaced the V12 with the V6 because it was more competitive, so quit your whining!

[@tumslucks9781]

The V6 whined very badly. It sounded terrible!

[@lebojay]

@@tumslucks9781 The one I heard sounded okay!

[@ericcarabetta1161]

The XJ220 has always been one of my favorite supercars, I could never understand how people's trivial criticisms about it not being identical to the concept car, could override the sheer beauty of it. Seriously, name one car that was exactly like the concept. They couldn't really do anything about the bad timing, just part of the wonderful 7-10 year boom, bust cycle of capitalism.

[@tumslucks9781]

No V12 or 4WD meant Jaguars customers got shafted having to buy a car they didn't want.

[@aston-martin-internationalist]

On my wall as a kid. The Athena poster of Jaguar's XJ220 remained on the wall over my bed for many years as a kid. I couldn't get over the shape of this thing, just an epic looking car. In person, even more dramatic.

[@Kamina1703]

Absolutely. I had a die-cast metal metallic blue model of one when I was younger.

[@robj3857]

I was once offered to drive an XJ220 round the Nurburgring, and I said no!!!! I was too scared I was going to crash it, what was I thinking, one of my biggest regrets in life. On the drive out to the ring it was a nightmare though, it was leaking a lot of oil and was undriveable above 60mph in heavy rain.

[@-fuk57]

My first dream car. I wrote about this car when I was in 6th grade.

[@steadyrockscotland]

A few points of clarification: - The sales contract of the XJ220, which was signed along with placing the deposit, stated the final specifications of the car. Any attempt to wiggle out was just that. - The XJ220 has no problem in stop start traffic. We drove one from Scotland to Italy with no issue in that regard. - The dimensions actually were reduced by the best part of a foot between the Concept and production car. If people think it is large now, they would have been shocked by the Concept (which only had 9 miles on the clock, last time I checked). - Probably one of the biggest ciriticisms of the car should be the fact that the doors open very little, considering their size. It is by far one of the most comfortable supercars for long distance driving with beautifully comfy seats and, even at speeds well north of 100mph, you can whisper and be heard, if cruising. Great video over all. I'd maybe slow the voice over a bit though.

[@DKS225]

An even rarer Jaguar came out around 1991 in the form of The XJR-15. Only 50 of those were built. It was spawned by a concept car developed by TWR primarily to evaluate carbon composite materials in high performance cars.

[@lebojay]

All the XJR-15s were built by TWR.

[@Emira_75]

Profound. Did you know there was a car called the Ferrari F40 and it was often red

[@Emira_75]

@@lebojay in joint effort with the Jaguar Sport division, inside the Wykham Mill Jaguar factory, in part by my grandad and the lovely people of Bloxham, If you wanna be specific

[@BlairAir]

Saw one at the Jaguar Concours in 2013 in Virginia. Norman Dewis, special guest was Ian Callum. Just a great day. D-Types, and a slalom run in a XFR-S. Just insane.

[@mrkipling2201]

My favourite supercar in the very early 1990's was the Ferrari F40. When the XJ220 was released, i had 2 favourite supercars!! It was a brilliant time for iconic, fast, crazy looking cars from some of the top manufacturers in the world. The F40, XJ220, Testarossa, Diablo, Countach, etc. Although some people were disappointed that the concept car they thought they were buying wasn't what they got. I'm surprised that it isn't more iconic now and is pretty much forgotten by most people.

[@thahbx]

Definitely my favorite supercar from early 90's

[@davidpeters6536]

XJR-15 was a supercar par excellence and the racing series was a success. XJ220 looked fab but production car was a shadow of what was planned which McLaren would have found hard to beat. They should have built the XK180 (you can see 4.06) with the XK-8 coupe from the start. I loved my post 2005 S-Type 4.2 V8 with 'CATS' built on the Lincoln LS pan which underpinned the XF until 2015.

[@johnstedman4075]

The proprietor of TWR was actually named Tom Walkinshaw, not 'Wilkinshaw'.

[@omarks]

Also the first series V12 was 5.3 litre not 6.3 (the last of the V12's were 6.0 in 1995/96). Separately the x300 successor to the boxy xj40 saloon was what kept the company afloat in the 90's. It was basically a return to the swoopy body xj6 look with sorted out xj40 mechanicals and is a superb car.

[@theceoofhumankind8649]

The one luxury car I've always dreamed of owning.

[@davidpeters6536]

Choose carefully and you won't be disappointed.

[@tumslucks9781]

You have poor taste.

[@theceoofhumankind8649]

@@tumslucks9781 To each their own.

[@PiefacePete46]

Great video again thanks. I am surprised that the people who paid their deposit failed in their attempts to have them refunded. The deposit was for a car with a V12 engine, FF four-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, etc.. What they were going to receive was a V6, two-wheel drive, two-wheel steering etc., delivered late, and at a higher price! How could the original contract be enforcable? Once again, the law is an ass! (It must have been a cracker of a contract!)

[@tumslucks9781]

💯📜⬅️😡

[@frasermitchell9183]

I remember attending a Jaguar Drivers Club local meeting in the early 90s, when the boss of Lloyd Chemists arrived in one. The engine sound was very disappointing, in fact I thought it sounded a bit like a souped-up lawnmower ! Of course the original car had the Jaguar V12 but this was later ditched in favour of the V6 used in the Metro 6R4. This engine gave more than adequate performance, but was a bit of let-down considering the car was developed when Jaguar had broken away from British Leyland.

[@rogerpritchard]

My favourite of all supercars. Stunning design unlike any other.

[@indopleaser]

these car documentaries are great insights and more information then a typical car review. learn alot in a good time frame

[@JK061996]

It still looks modern today

[@RayEttler]

ehm .... no it doesn't

[@20PhantoM07]

It’s been gone along time but I can still see that 90’s poster in my head ♥️😍

[@britishfilmguy]

Shame we won't see a new version of the XJ220 in the future, with the likes of Keoniggseg Zenvo to name a few coming up with some stylish designs think it'll be a tough act for jaguar to revive such a iconic designed sports car like this again.

[@johntechwriter]

It will be a cold day when Jaguar needs to worry about Koenigsegg producing a better looking car.

[@britishfilmguy]

True,true competition must be reasonably fearce between the two would of thought..

[@maimadha]

The Jaguar XJ200 is the best car

[@logwind]

God that shape is beautiful. Not saying this is the best looking car ever made, but it's close.

[@paulkirkland3263]

Great video. I love the XJ220.

[@jackscott8931]

Oh excellent I have been waiting for this video for a long time! One of my absolute favourite supercars. Can't wait to watch it

[@iangodfrey4518]

And of course, for all those Commodore Amiga owners back in the day ... The JAGUAR XJ220 computer game, released in 1992: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIG6hHd5eZxkmpI and the Wikipedia article: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_XJ220_(video_game)

[@sandycheeks7865]

So the one you've filmed in a museum HAS the V12 engine? Is that a concept car or what?

[@davekennedy6315]

The buyers that bowed out after the inevitable change from V12 to V6 twin turbo just used that as an excuse to get out of buying during the recession that had just kicked in bad. Just look at the XJ220s competition, the Ferrari F40 a V8 twin turbo, the Porsche 959 a 6 pot twin turbo, so the XJ220s V6 twin turbo fits in perfectly. I have personally heard what the F40 sounds like and it sounds like a rough tractor. All turbo'd cars are muted to a certain extent, its just a shame that Jaguar didn't set out with RWD and V6 twin turbo from the start. As it is if the XJ220 had launched at its original specs (V12 and AWD) it would have been a far heavier car with less power and substantially less torque. The engine would have been way heavier, way more complex, far worse on fuel and the AWD would have added even more weight, less steering feel and worse performance across the board due to that extra weight all round. The only thing that would have improved was the cars launch (especially so in poor weather) but at a huge cost.

[@AndrewG1989]

I really do like Jaguar cars including this one. Very powerful, slick and beautiful.

[@Tiger351]

And now Tom Walkinshaw has his name on VW Amaroks, how the mighty have fallen.

[@paulwhite2533]

He’s brown bread

[@BlairAir]

One of my all time favorites. I would say something about "Hypercar for mere mortals" but nope. This one didn't lose 80% through depreciation like your average Jag. I am on #4, but my brother, who could afford any current Jaguar has 11 of them, of various vintage. Favorite has to be XJ-13

[@axelquanico]

Would love to see videos about F1 cars in the future! Great videos man

[@herseem]

One of the very few supercars I really find attractive and wouldn't mind owning - not having driven one yet.

[@MattBrownbill]

I followed a Transit van with an XJ220 engine (and the tell tale wheels) in Stoke-on-Trent. I think that's the closest I've been to one of these, outside of a museum.

[@Comakino]

The crazy, uncompromising 220 is particularly mental when you think about the fact that at the time it came out, Jaguar already had the XJR-15 racer which they could have used to develop a "tame" road going supercar - several road legal examples were actually sold by TWR. It was fully carbon fibre, which may have made it impractical to produce in numbers at that time. Like the 220, the back lights were also sourced from the Rover parts bin.

[@LaszloAVoros]

It's sad. Had the Jaguar XJ1220 gotten its 700 horses, it would have a true Superstar in the auto world. It made the Ferrari F150 look like a jalopy. A true work of art. I just hope that the new all electric Jaguars will retain their beauty like the XJ8 was. And please make another supercar and show McLerran, Lamborghini, and Ferrari how it's done. At least, k make the CX-75 will you? Another work of art.

[@herocar4133]

e-type mk3 came out with 5.3 liter v12 not 6.2, and this engine was not enlarged to 6.0litres until the facelifted xjs of the nineties

[@johntechwriter]

Just two of the numerous errors in this sloppily produced documentary.

[@paulqueripel3493]

12:00, flocking to the F1 in droves? The F1 wasn't a success either, they wanted to sell 300 cars, in the end they made 106, many of which were racing cars, not road.

[@mikeuk4130]

A really interesting yet sad story, well-told as usual, Ruairidh. Just one question, though. The E-type S III had a 5.3-litre engine. Did it actually become a 6.2 in reality, and was that at the hand of Tom Walkinshaw or Cosworth, perhaps from the racing world? PS, I've not yet seen an XJ220 in the flesh!

[@andrewdenby8239]

No, the largest V12 production engine Jag produced was 6 litres in some of the later year models including the XJS and Double Six varients. The XJ220 was something of a tragic car suffering as it did from over promise and under delivery....

[@lebojay]

Jaguar never made it a 6.2, but in auto and marine racing applications it has been bored and stroked up to 8+ litres.

[@mikeuk4130]

@@lebojay Thanks, Jay - is there one in your garage?!

[@lebojay]

@@mikeuk4130 I have a 1987 XJ-S TWR with the 5.3 V12.

[@mikeuk4130]

@@lebojay Haha, shame on you - I've got a 2021 e-Niro! Always good to see a nice Jag, though.

[@ianhill20101]

Great video, end needed a touch nore felt it just stopped on info.

[@Jeffybonbon]

JLR have lost its way today Nothing in the Range I would have today

[@johntechwriter]

I can think of three current Jags I would own in a heartbeat: the XJR and the XF sedans, both world class, and the fantastic XF sports car. And their new SUV is the best looking vehicle of its type on the road.

[@othgmark1]

First one l ever saw in person was in Airolo Switzerland and it was beautiful sapphire blue. lt was also on a tow truck,

[@tumslucks9781]

The tow truck handled better.

[@Mac_Cam]

I have brand new rear lights for these cars but what else were they fitted to?

[@e28forever30]

You didn’t watch the video, did you?

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

Shame that the XJ220 jaguar car not being so successful

[@martinluke9470]

The E-Type had the 5.3 litre engine, not 6.2 litre as stated.

[@drstevenrey]

Jaguar. I had an XJR and an E. Lost a lot of money on both and had a plethora of calamity with the technicals. An absolute nightmare. Never ever again a Jaguar. Not even as a passenger. Will not touch it with a barge pole.

[@stuew6]

What James Bond Cars in Movies 🎬 used.

[@DaveSCameron]

LIVERPOOLS FINEST ⚽😎❤️

[@fonzireyes]

The car that could have been, but never was... Beautiful concept though.

[@maryrafuse3851]

This is still a desperately fast car and stunning in appearance.

[@devon896]

The sad thing with Jaguar, they've got the talent, the skills, the people to do it and the history & prestige of the brand. But they never have enough money and always under deliver with any car they make.

[@alembic1105]

I wouldn't say the XKR (original shape X100) under delivered at all. In fact it delivered a lot relative to its price.

[@johntechwriter]

Wrong about underdelivering. Go all the way back to 1950 and the XK120 sports car that upended the whole industry. Or the mid-50s, when Jaguar D-Types won LeMans against far more highly funded competitors three years running. Get to the 60s, and I suppose you’re going to say the XK-E was “under delivered”? Or the fabulous Mk I and Mk 2 sports sedans that followed? Or the sensational 1968 XJ executive sedan that gave nothing away to the S-Class? The XJ sedan series had a wonderful run - it’s still in production today - and the reliability problems happened when British Leyland took over the company and drove it nearly into the ground were resolved when Jaguar got their company back. Your problem is, you do not know the history of Jaguar, or of its cars. When you don’t know something, and you are around people who do, you should keep quiet. You might learn something.

[@devon896]

@@johntechwriter Fair point but if you look at today's modern Jags. The XE on launch interior was poor, faults with the engine mounts it took 4 years to get it up to standard.

[@rat_king-]

same v6 as the metro 6r4

[@BlairAir]

So go with hugely expensive hand beaten aluminum panels, a unique hand constructed interior, then decide that casting a set of plastic taillights would have broke the bank? Not sure about that one.

[@tumslucks9781]

0:33 'A sought after classic'. No V12 or 4WD. More like tragic.

[@BlueJazzBoyNZ]

Had the opportunity to drive one. On the track or Autobahn sure . otherwise ?

[@terrythomas1690]

His name is Tom Walkinshaw.

[@Dont_Gnaw_on_the_Kitty]

Dont know who decided to use a V6 instead of a V12 engine, but here is managment incompetance and someone deserves to be let go.

[@nebuchadne33ar]

NFS2SE

[@richardoakley8800]

Bring back the xj220. That engine bay would take the v8.. either a super charged version or a twin turbo version..add on moden running gear and ..... Well we can dream

[@JAB771]

Love Classic Jaguars, but to be fair I never could or will never get on with the proportions of the car, Rear end especially, side profile is too long

[@simonacuthbert1]

Walkinshaw. Sorry to pull you up as you're so meticulous, but the 'Wilkinshaw' really jarred.

[@jimwyer4257]

I’m pretty sure that’s not how you pronounce Tom Walkinshaw’s last name. I’ve never heard anyone say it out loud , except you, but I’d say walk - in-shaw not wilkin-shaw.

[@rob5944]

That's what happens when you over promise and under deliver. The lamentable hallmark of BL I'm afraid. I don't blame the customers, they should of been refunded.

[@mikeuk4130]

...should have been refunded. And yes, of course they should. If they bought one, however, was it a good investment?

[@rob5944]

@@mikeuk4130 from the general tone of the video it seems so, however I haven't really researched that angle. I never cared for the shape much, however during a visit to the very smart Haynes museum I did get to see one. Mate joked about having a bit of extra luggage space in the boot. How marques such as Jaguar descended from being a world leading manufacturer, to one that couldn't even design a competitive car under BL, truly beggars belief!

[@TheJCJexe]

Is this narrated by a computer? Slow down.

[@e28forever30]

Exactly my thought, the videos are good, but the narrator sounds robotic.

[@Schlipperschlopper]

Sadly soon all combustion cars and trucks including classics will be banned from public streets in entire EU and Scandinavia :-( In Germany the Green Peoples Party gave order to shorten fuel supply from 2025 on by reducing all conventional fuel stations to only one state operated central gas station per city or county. Car washs will be forbidden too because they are climate killers, now they want to slow down all the gas station pumps from 20 litre per minute to 2 litre per minute...From 2027 on in the EU certain car spare parts will be banned too....as exhaust systems, turbo chargers and even some engine and gearbox oils...California and New York will do the same from 2027 on.... So no investments should be done in oil burning cars any longer....They even created a new kind of crime here, called emissions and smoke crime. (BABVVEN & TEBBVEN & BEFVO laws)!

[@jamesweir139]

Ugly yet handsome

[@macjim]

Promised a lot, under delivered …

[@alembic1105]

By like 3mph, is that really such a big deal?

[@tumslucks9781]

@@alembic1105 It was a dog to drive. Jaguar had contempt for their customers.

[@shihabsadman]

And now Tata motors is destroying jaguar super car and sports car Divisions.This brand is just struggling 😑😑

[@ericbeltrami2718]

It could have been one of the greatest cars if not the greatest car ever made but, Jaguar cheaped out and put hey 5 speed along with a V6. For the asking price that is absolutely insulting. It's the same reason I don't like the new Ford GT. They put a Ford Mondeo engine in it and they expect over $1000000 for the vehicle. One of the main reasons people pay a lot of money for a car is for it to have more than a four-cylinder engine or a 6, they want a V12, not only for smooth power delivery but the sound. Why do you think the Bugatti Veyron with its 16 cylinder engine is so expensive. Unless it's a 92 Mazda MX3 or a Skyline I don't want a six-cylinder engine. Expecting me to pay the kind of money they want for a crappy engine found in a Ford Sedan is f****** insulting! What they should have done was built the Ford gt90.

[@pdsnpsnldlqnop3330]

Up close the XJ220 is very meh. It is with the build quality of yet another kit car and only afterwards do you think 'oh yeah, that is the XJ220'. It lacks the presence in the paddock or on the track that the real icons have. The McLaren F1 in the metal is 'wow'. The XJ220 is more 'oh yeah, it's one of them, I remember that!' With a lot of cars of this ilk, the ageing process depends on whether they were for the road or the track. A stripped out interior with the roll cage and fire extinguisher always looks the part. However, a luxury interior looks shabby and dated. Sadly the XJ220s I have seen are a bit naff inside. Compared to the McLaren F1 where you don't even remember the interior because you are still in awe of the gold leaf in the engine bay. It is good that there are XJ220 owners that do take them to events at Goodwood, Silverstone and so on.

[@bobolulu7615]

I've seen a couple of them in real life and they are fantastic. Remember the panels are hand beaten aluminium, more than an art in itself. The fit and finish is wonderful. So what do you buy this car for? 1mm of that hand beaten alloy out. Or the performance and what it actually took to design and build it? Do you whinge and moan to the dealer when your new car has a stitch out of place on the dashboard, and then class it as junk?

[@pdsnpsnldlqnop3330]

@@bobolulu7615 I like the cars that battle it out on the track, take a few dents and go out again. There are McLarens that go out and beat everything in their class. They look awesome. They have the gold engine bay. Maybe it is 'never meet your heroes' but I find some elavated models of the past to lack wonder to expected levels. The XJ220 is like that and it won't mix it with that McLaren on track. It is more 'Brabazon' than 'Concorde'.

[@tumslucks9781]

@@bobolulu7615 The XJ220 was a joke. It belonged in the 70s were supercars were allowed to be crap.

[@bobolulu7615]

@@tumslucks9781 Oh dear. In the early 90's there were very few cars that would do 200mph+ off the showroom floor. The xj220 is a marvel of engineering and if you have actually seen one for real you would know. Even 70's cars were awesome for the time and technology. Hell, even a 32 Ford V8 coupe was a supercar.

[@Tony-112]

£827,000 for a car with rover 200 tail lights. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@paulthomson9014]

The mclaren f1 has rear lights from a bova bus / coach

[@tumslucks9781]

@@paulthomson9014 The rear lights on the F1 have exposed screw heads. Yuk!