When Jaguar revealed the prototype XJ220 at the British International Motor Show in 1988, it was a sensation. A worthy successor to the multiple Le Mans-winning C-Type and D-Type Jaguars of the 1950s, the XJ220 grabbed the headlines, just as its illustrious forebears had done in previous decades. A planned limited-production run of a minimum of 220 and a maximum of 350 cars, combined with an eventual VAT-inclusive price tag of nearly £403,000 (over a half a million in U.S. dollars) only served to further ensure the XJ220’s exclusivity. There was immense interest and almost 1,500 orders were received, each with a £50,000 deposit. Jaguar then had the task of allocating cars to those privileged few customers that it considered worthy of ownership. The production XJ220 was officially launched at the 1991 Tokyo Motor Show and when production ended in 1994, approximately 275 examples had been built.

Jaguar started planning for the proposed 200-mph supercar in the mid-1980s. It is said that the design was developed mainly in the project team’s spare time and was a labor of love. The XJ220 survived Jaguar’s takeover by Ford the following year, but when it eventually entered production in 1992, it was a very different machine. Gone was the prototype’s 6.2-liter V-12 engine, replaced by a Cosworth-designed, 3.5-liter, twin-turbo V-6 as used in the XJR-11 sports racer. Producing no less than 542 bhp, this incredible engine enabled the XJ220 to meet its 200 mph-plus design target, resulting in F1 driver Martin Brundle recording a speed of over 217 mph during track testing. With a blistering 0–100 mph time of 7.9 seconds, the new Jaguar supercar was quicker than a Ferrari F40 or a Lamborghini Diablo. The XJ220 was the world’s fastest production car until the arrival of the McLaren F1.

From the experience learned from Jaguar’s double-Le Mans-winning Group C sports racers, the XJ220 was constructed around a bonded and riveted monocoque chassis formed from lightweight, corrosion resistant, aluminum-alloy sheet re-enforced by aluminum honeycomb sections in highly stressed areas. Similarly race-derived was the double-wishbone suspension, adapted to provide acceptable comfort under road conditions, while other competition-influenced features were the AP Racing brakes, Speedline aluminum alloy wheels (17-in. diameter at the front, 18-in. at the rear) and FF Developments, five-speed, all-synchromesh transaxle with viscous-control, and limited-slip differential.

This Jaguar XJ220 was produced 8 February 1993 and sold new to TRW chief Tom Walkinshaw in April of that same year, for his personal collection. It was then transferred to a collector, and for this reason was not registered until 1998. In 1998 it underwent a major overhaul that included a fuel tank replacement as recommended by the manufacturer. Another major overhaul was conducted in August 2010, and in 2011 other works were carried out, including replacement of the brakes and tires. The service file, including invoices, is included on file with the car. The previous owner participated in the 2011 Rallye de Paris. In 2011 it was sold and imported to Switzerland, where it was used very sparingly. With the last year, the car was sent to renowned XJ220 specialist Don Law who fully inspected and serviced the rare Jaguar, for approximately US$50,000, to ensure that it had been properly sorted and ready to drive. Finished in stunning Silverstone Green with Sand leather and equipped with an Alpine car radio with 16/9 GPS, this Jaguar XJ220 is in exceptional condition.

A landmark model in Jaguar’s illustrious history, the XJ220 is still the company’s fastest-ever production car. As such, it remains highly collectible, being sought after by Jaguar aficionados and supercar collectors alike. Boasting gorgeous looks and tremendous performance, this beautiful XJ220 represents a wonderful opportunity to acquire one of the most significant supercars of its era.