| Year |
1989 -
1994 |
| Engine |
3.5 L 6
cylinder |
| Transmission |
5-speed,
manual |
| Max
speed |
212 mph |
| 0-60
mph |
3.7 seconds |
| Horsepower |
542 bhp
@ 7200 rpm |
| weight |
1456 kg |
The Jaguar XJ220 supercar is not quite as super as it was originally
intended. The car was previewed in 1988 as a groundbreaking
48 valve, V12, 4-wheel drive dream car capable of 220 miles
an hour - hence the name.
The design of the XJ220 was undertaken by ex-racecar designer
Richard Owen who, along with a small team, designed the car
to be hand-built at a rate of 3-4 cars a week.
Unfortunately during the development of the car the designers
were pressured to meet time and cost targets. The end result
being that many of the featured promised on the 1988 concept
car were cut. The V12 engine and the four-wheel-drive system
being the most obvious. In their place was a V6, albeit a highly
tuned 542 hp unit derived from the MG Metro 6R4, and a RWD transmission.
This powertrain gave the Jaguar XJ220 a top speed just in excess
of 210 mph. The wheelbase of the XJ220 was also cut by 8 inches
to help reduce weight and cut costs.
As a further blow to the XJ200 project and Jaguar an unforeseen
world recession meant that many potential customers, and even
some who had paid deposits were reluctant to fork over the vast
sums of money required to have one on the driveway. After just
two years of production and 271 completed cars the Jaguar XJ220
was canceled.
Similar and related vehicles:
Jaguar XJR-15
 Jaguar
JP1
Jaguar XKR 4.2 S Coupe (2005)
Jaguar XKR 4.2 S Convertible (2005)
Jaguar XK (2006)
Jaguar XKR (2007)
Jaguar XKR Portfolio (2008)
|
|
