The first car from the reborn TWR outfit has been revealed, ahead of its launch later this year.
Created with help from Porsche guru Magnus Walker, alongside bodykit designer and influencer Khyzyl Saleem, TWR’s unexpected comeback is a restomod version of the classic Jaguar XJS.
Called the TWR Supercat, the reworked Jaguar promises motorsport-inspired performance and an analogue driving experience.
Orders for the limited edition Supercat are being accepted now, with the first completed cars due to be delivered in winter 2024.
A British icon reborn
The original TWR, founded by the late Tom Walkinshaw, had an illustrious association with Jaguar. Indeed, the XJS was campaigned by TWR in the European Touring Car Championship during the 1980s, making it an obvious choice for the company’s comeback.
Khyzyl Saleem has led the design process, with new carbon fibre panels resculpting every part of the Jaguar XJS. Along with saving weight, the new bodywork is said to improve aerodynamics and rigidity, too.
Saleem has retained the trademark flying buttress pillars from the XJS coupe, but the Supercat’s wild flared wheelarches and deep front splitter are straight from motorsport.
Quad LED headlights are reminiscent of Lister-modified XJS models, with the wheels seemingly inspired by the TWR XJR-S from the late 1980s.
‘Powerful, dynamic and visceral’
Mechanical details of the Supercat are limited at this point, with more information still to be announced. However, a supercharged V12 engine will be the star of the show, delivering a mighty 600hp.
A six-speed manual transmission has also been confirmed, deliberately chosen to deliver a ‘connected and analogue driving experience’.
Fergus Walkinshaw, director and founder of TWR, said: “As order books open, we cannot wait for clients to experience the most powerful, dynamic and visceral evocation of a British icon. It has been revolutionised from the ground-up to be ready for those that demand to be connected to the cars they drive, whether on the track or the road.”
A bespoke big cat
TWR has yet to confirm how the Supercat’s interior will look, but expect to learn more when the car makes a dynamic debut this summer.
Production of the Supercat will be limited to 88 examples, a deliberate nod to TWR’s victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the Jaguar XJR-9 in 1988.
Customisation will be an important part of the build process, with those interested able to place a £10,000 refundable deposit now to reserve a build slot.
Prices will start from £225,000 before taxes (£270,000 including VAT) – a lot of money for what has traditionally been an unloved old Jaguar, but competitive for a hand-built and bespoke restomod classic.
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