If you were ever going to commission a restomod Jaguar XJ-S it is a near-certainty that the letters TWR would be the first out of your mouth (if the letters L.I.S.T.E and R aren’t that is). Well, if you have £225,000 (or more) you can now indulge that fantsasy with the TWR Supercat. The car will be launched in the summer, but order books are now open on the limited-to-88 carbonfibre, 600bhp supercharged V12 powered six-speed
This may not be Tom Walkinshaw’s TWR, but it is a new company set up in Newbury, Berkshire by his son Fergus and John Kane in 2020. The highly XJ-S informed design is by Khyzyl Saleem in collaboration with Magnus Walker.
Fergus Walkinshaw said: ‘After more than two years of extensive design, engineering and development work, we are proud to unveil the design of TWR’s debut product. The outcome is a true drivers’ Super-GT built from the foundations of the iconic Jaguar XJS and appropriately named the Supercat.
‘This bold expression of the breed fulfils our mission to build cars worthy of TWR’s winning legacy, starting with this remarkable car as it enters its 50th year. As order books open, we cannot wait for clients to experience the most powerful, dynamic and visceral evocation of a British icon that 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. This is the TWR way and will define this and every future project we undertake.’
The company’s press release adds: ‘In realising this first, landmark product, TWR has drawn inspiration from previous masterpieces across the history of the great name, stemming from Tom Walkinshaw’s work with touring cars, Le Mans monsters like the XJR-9, XJR-15 and even the XJ220 supercar.
Order books officially open today. Clients wishing to join those who have already committed to reservations following the announcement of the revival of TWR can secure their build slot with a £10,000 refundable deposit. Production will be strictly limited with first deliveries to take place in the fourth quarter of 2024.
As individual builds, all TWR clients will be afforded a full scope for personalisation. Therefore pricing will vary depending on individual specifications but will start at an indicative price of £225,000 excluding local taxes.’
And designer Khyzyl Saleem said: ‘This project is an incredible opportunity to interpret TWR’s winning legacy in today’s design language. In so many ways, my career in the digital and physical realms have been leading to this moment. In merging the requirements of Super-GT form and racing functionality we have created a unique identity that is instantly recognisable from its silhouette.
‘I am proud of the work we have done to bring inspirations from TWR’s performance and racing car history into this extraordinary new design. I cannot wait to work with our clients in shaping their own personal styling requirements for this incredible modern interpretation of a car that deserves its place among the most celebrated examples of British automotive design.’
