TWR and the Jaguar XJS are real blasts from the past that only those of a certain vintage will probably remember the names of. TWR (Tom Walkinshaw Racing) and Jaguar are inextricably linked to past racing glories and several special road cars, too, and now we have more information on the vehicle that will bring TWR back, under the guidance of its founder’s son, Fergus Walkinshaw.
Shouldn’t it now be called FWR and pronounced “phwoar”?
A glance at the suggestive bodywork of the rejuvenated firm’s first new model would certainly back that up. It’s called the Supercat and though it does indeed look a lot like the Jaguar XJS it takes its foundations from, the carbon-fibre bodywork is completely new. It’s stiffened up with an integrated steel structure but is still some 9.3 per cent lighter than the original car.
Aero played a part in the body’s resculpting, as is obvious from the ankle-scraping splitter up front and dramatic upsweep of the rear bodywork, and there’s more going on underneath, including a flat floor. TWR says downforce is produced in the name of stability but doesn’t put numbers on it.
Will the performance live up to the wild looks?
It certainly should. The Supercat only weighs 1,605kg, and it’s powered by a TWR-developed 5.6-litre V12 petrol engine using supercharging to put out up to 669hp and a massive 730Nm of torque. No straight-line performance metrics have been announced, but we can safely assume it’ll be rapid.
TWR is focusing more on the fact that the Supercat will provide an analogue driving experience. To that end, it features a six-speed manual gearbox, and all drive is sent to the rear wheels via a limited-slip differential.
It won’t be all old-school, though, as adaptive damping will be fitted, and there’s the option to include carbon-ceramic brakes and programmable traction control, too.
The interior looks quite retro though?
At a glance perhaps, not helped by the orangey-brown hue of the leather but look closer and you’ll see a digital instrument pack and new switchgear, and the car even has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
To increase luggage space, TWR ditched the rear seats usually found in a Jaguar XJS, while offering buyers the option to fit carbon-fibre-backed leather bucket seats.
So how much for all this goodness?
Before taxes the Supercat is priced from about €270,000, but you can be sure it’ll attract VRT at 41 per cent, not to mention VAT. TWR will take orders for up to 88 Supercats, referencing the year the TWR Jaguar XJR-9 won at Le Mans and, while it hasn’t told us what it plans for its second car, we predict more of the same, using modern technology and a sprinkling of motorsport knowhow to reinvent a classic. Start saving.