Having guided the XJS to the European Touring Car crown in 1982, the Tom Walkinshaw Racing outfit then led Jaguar’s World Sportscar Championship programme. Housing a 7-litre V-12 engine, the glorious XJR-9 prototype knocked Porsche off its perch to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1988 during the heyday of the Group C era. Given these high-profile successes it was, therefore, obvious who the marque should turn to when creating a halo supercar.

The concept for the XJ220, named in deference of the projected top speed, took after the triumphant XJR-9 racer as a naturally aspirated 6.2-litre 12-cylinder powerplant was planned. But a long gestation period and more stringent emissions regulations meant the 281 examples eventually gained a 3.5-litre, twin-turbocharged V-6 related to the motor from the MG Metro 6R4 Group B rally weapon. Nevertheless, as TWR and Jaguar combined to form JaguarSport, the resulting effort still vanquished the best that Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche had to offer. With the rev limiter raised and Works driver Martin Brundle at the wheel, the XJ220 recorded 349.4 km/h at the Nardò Ring in Italy to become the world’s fastest production car.

The example offered here was completed by JaguarSport on 31 March 1993 configured in the signature XJ220 shade of Spa Silver to complement a Smoke Grey leather interior. Although holding a 10 June delivery date, it would be another four years before the car was purchased via UK dealer William Loughran of Preston by the first owner, who registered it on 18 August 1997. Soon after, it paid a visit to pre-eminent XJ220 expert Don Law Racing, near Newcastle in the United Kingdom, to be fitted with a sports exhaust and upgraded brakes.

The car was auctioned at RM Sotheby’s London sale in October 2008. After a spell in Russia, the Jaguar moved to the United Arab Emirates in late 2023. It benefits from an August 2024 visit to Dragon Racing International of Dubai, where a recommissioning service was completed at a cost of 103,615 AED. Please note that the odometer has recently been repaired by Don Law Racing (invoice available to view on file), with the car noted as having covered 5,679 kilometres.

This XJ220 is accompanied by a tool kit, first aid kit, and a Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust (JDHT) certificate. Presented in its factory colour combination, this flagship Jaguar is sure to appeal to collectors of record-breakers, 1990s supercars, and dedicated marque enthusiasts.