TWR reveals big plans to reimagine the Jaguar XJS

TWR will look back in its history with the Jaguar XJS for a “reimagined” sports car

Magnus Walker and Khyzyl Saleem standing in front of a Jaguar XJS

After a series of teaser images, TWR has revealed its plans for an upcoming sports car and the Berkshire-based firm says its new offering will be based on a Jaguar XJS. It will be the first car that TWR has produced since it reemerged into the automotive engineering industry in 2020. 

Tom Walkinshaw Racing (now rebranded to TWR) has a rich history in the motorsport world. Established in 1975, the company specialised in competition touring cars and created iconic models like the Rover Vitesse and Volvo 850 Estate. But away from the track, TWR helped develop cars like the Aston Martin DB7 and Renault Clio V6 – showcasing the firm’s breadth of ability. Arguably the most well-known work TWR did was the V12-powered Jaguar XJR that won Le Mans in 1988 and 1990. 

The firm’s successful relationship with Jaguar began with the XJS, culminating in the car winning the European Touring Car Championship in 1984. TWR is now a separate entity to the original Tom Walkinshaw Racing, but the firm stresses it will share “much of the DNA and spirit that helped the original TWR brand to become a world leader in performance and motorsport engineering.”

Ariel photo ofMagnus Walker and Khyzyl Saleem standing next to a Jaguar XJS

TWR has picked the XJS to be the basis of its new project but has brought in help from Magnus Walker and car designer Khyzyl Saleem to reimagine the car and bring it “into the 21st century”. 

Details on the new XJS will be revealed in early 2024, but Walker has hinted at what we can expect: “I remember talking to Ian Callum about how I wanted to do an outlaw version of an XJS, kind of similar to what Jaguar Classic did with Nicko McBrain’s XJC.” That XJC was revealed in Geneva in 2018 and was based on a 1984 XJ6 Series 3, featuring bigger wheels, flared arches, new bumpers front and rear and LED headlights for a retro-modern look. 

Unlike Iron Maiden drummer McBrain’s XJC (which came with a straight-six), the TWR XJS famously came with a 5.3-litre V12 - which we expect will feature on TWR’s new project. Don’t expect the car to be some stripped-out racer however. Walker added: “Our XJS has to be drivable in real world situations. From idle to throttle transition, when it’s stuck on the freeway in bumper-to-bumper traffic. I’m about drivability, usability, and practicality.” 

Fergus Walkinshaw previously spoke on the upcoming project, stating: “High-performance engineering runs in the blood of the Walkinshaw family, and ever since the original TWR closed its doors I have longed to find a way to continue the family legacy.”

Want the latest car news in your inbox? Sign up to the free Auto Express email newsletter...

Senior news reporter

A keen petrol-head, Alastair Crooks has a degree in journalism and worked as a car salesman for a variety of manufacturers before joining Auto Express in Spring 2019 as a Content Editor. Now, as our senior news reporter, his daily duties involve tracking down the latest news and writing reviews.

Recommended

Range Rover offers in-house insurance scheme to fight theft fears
Range Rover Sport - front
News

Range Rover offers in-house insurance scheme to fight theft fears

JLR-owned brand continues its battle against a wave of car crime hitting luxury cars
19 Dec 2023
Range Rover thefts prompt JLR to boost security on old and new cars
Range Rover action
News

Range Rover thefts prompt JLR to boost security on old and new cars

Range Rover owners will have extra protection against car thieves and the tech can be retrofitted to older models
22 Nov 2023
The scariest cars we've ever driven
Scariest cars we've ever driven - header image
Best cars & vans

The scariest cars we've ever driven

The Auto Express team have cast their minds back to the scariest cars they’ve had to endure
31 Oct 2023
Jaguar electric four-door GT to usher-in brand's new era
Jaguar 4-door Coupe exclusive image
News

Jaguar electric four-door GT to usher-in brand's new era

The new all-electric four-door GT will be the first model in Jaguar's all-electric future, and is expected to cost around £100k
18 Aug 2023

Most Popular

Ford Transit Custom vs Vauxhall Vivaro: who makes the better mid-size van?
FordFord Transit Custom and Vauxhall Vivaro - face-to-face static (doors closed)
Car group tests

Ford Transit Custom vs Vauxhall Vivaro: who makes the better mid-size van?

Commercial vehicle sales are just as crucial to Ford and Vauxhall as cars. We run the rule over their panel vans
27 Dec 2023
New Range Rover Electric shaping up to be the brand’s most luxurious SUV ever
Range Rover EV - exclusive image
News

New Range Rover Electric shaping up to be the brand’s most luxurious SUV ever

The new Range Rover Electric is due to go on sale in 2024 and our exclusive image previews how it could look
27 Dec 2023
What are your toy cars worth now? Rare diecast models and iconic vintage collectables valued
Toy car feature - header
Features

What are your toy cars worth now? Rare diecast models and iconic vintage collectables valued

Many of us used to receive model cars at Christmas as kids. We discover the big business of buying and selling these toys today
23 Dec 2023