Description
The XJ220 offered here is a rare left hand drive example, which was completed on 11th January 1993 and dispatched to its first owner in Japan 6 months later on 1st of June. Finished in its original Spa Silver with Smoke Grey interior it remains today in exceptionally original condition having being kept in dehumidified storage and covering only 5012 km from new.
As to be expected with such a low mileage car, the specification is totally factory original with no modifications. Following its period of storage it received a new fuel tank and was very recently recommissioned for use by Lusso Cars of Japan. Furthermore it benefits from a full and up-to-date service history with a detailed photographic record of the last major service. Recent expenditure has included a new clutch, cam belts, auxiliary belts, fuel filters, air filters, all fluids, cam cover gaskets, plus many other items.
Given its rarity, outstanding performance and iconic design it is hardly surprising that the XJ220 often ranks among the most desirable of British sports cars. What is more surprising, however, is that it has recently been considered to be one of the most undervalued collector supercars currently on the market. Consequently this example, presented in unrepeatable nearly-new condition, provides exceptional value for money, particularly when one considers the staggering 1992 list price of £470,000 (approximately £900,000 in today’s money) and the recent prices of its contemporaries; the Ferrari F40 and Porsche 959.
Please contact us for further details, price on application.
The XJ220 is a rare ultra-high-performance mid-engined two seater sports car that was produced by Jaguar from 1992 to 1994.
Developed from a V12-engined 4-wheel drive concept car that was exhibited at the British International Motor Show in 1988, the production cars were significantly lighter with shorter chassis, rear wheel drive and powered by the new Jaguar/TWR JV6 engine, which had been previously used in the XJR-10 and XJR-11 racing cars in 1989.
The JV6 engine incorporated aluminium engine block and cylinder heads, twin Garrett TO3 turbo chargers, double overhead camshafts, dry sump lubrication, Zytek multi point fuel injection with dual injectors and Zytek electronic engine management. In this form the engine fitted to the XJ220 was essentially a de-tuned FIA Group C Le Mans unit and delivered true supercar performance with a top speed of 217 mph, 0-60 in 3.6 seconds and a power output of 540 BHP at 7000 rpm. In spite of this performance, the XJ220 was remarkably economical delivering a fuel consumption of 32 mpg, better than a number of Jaguar’s contemporary saloons.
The production model XJ220 retained the all-aluminium body panels of the concept car but incorporated a number of design changes including larger air vents, a shorter wheel base and replacement of the scissor doors. It was also one of the first production cars to intentionally use underbody airflow to generate increased downforce and deliver significantly improved handling. The chassis utilised an innovative bonded aluminium honeycomb structure, designed by Alcan’s Aluminium Structured Vehicle Technology (ASVT) program, which, combined with an integral roll cage, provided superior levels of structural rigidity and passenger safety.
The suspension and braking on the production cars was also cutting edge and in accordance with Group C racing specifications. The suspension consisted of front and rear independent assemblies, double unequal length wishbones, inboard coil springs and anti-roll bars, with Bilstein gas-filled dampers. The brakes were designed by AP Racing and featured ventilated and cross-drilled discs with four pot aluminium calipers.
The reception to the XJ220 was overwhelmingly positive, both as a concept car and in production form where its speed and handling were highlighted in early road tests. Perhaps the 1991 report of Autocar’s Andrew Frankel best sums up the positive mood:
"Right now, the XJ220 gives us a standard by which all other fast cars can be compared. For the few who will actually own and, hopefully, use their XJ220s, the fact that they are in command of the most accomplished supercar ever made should suffice."
Unfortunately while the mood towards the car was positive, the general economic outlook was more subdued and the XJ220’s introduction to market could not have come at a worse time, coinciding as it did with the recession of the early 1990s. Consequently sales were disappointing and Jaguar curtailed an already limited production run to only 275 cars with just over 200 in left hand drive configuration.
