Orders open for 600hp TWR Supercat

Expectations were always high for TWR’s modern reinterpretation of the XJS. There aren’t many people who know the old Jag like the Walkinshaw family (current Director Fergus is Tom’s son), involving Khyzyl Saleem (aka @TheKyza) in the design promised much, and the confirmation of a V12 pretty much guaranteed a great soundtrack. We thought it’d be good, but we weren’t quite ready for the Supercat. 

That’s what TWR has christened its take on the XJS, promising ‘bold and contemporary design and delivering a truly involving driving experience’; though only rendered for the moment, we’re told to expect the Supercat in all its carbon fibre-bodied glory later this year. And having teased the world with this extraordinary preview, TWR surely won’t want to row back very far now. In being both instantly recognisable as an XJS but also far more extreme than even the Group 44 racers, it’s hard to stop gawping. Perhaps the ride height will go up a tad for the real thing, and that front splitter extend not quite so far, but it feels like the arches and outrageous rear end could just about survive intact. And therefore look absolutely brilliant. 

Saleem said of his work: “This project is an incredible opportunity to interpret TWR’s winning legacy in today’s design language… 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.”

A car that looks like this was always going to need a punchy powertrain to back up the aesthetic, and boy does the Supercat have that. TWR is promising more than 600hp from a supercharged V12, which you’d have to assume is an evolution of the original engine (not least as Lister did something very similar back in the day), though it’s not confirmed yet. A six-speed manual is, though, which is great news for those after a driving experience to match the muscular styling (which is everyone). TWR says the Supercat will be ‘connected and analogue’. Yes, please. 

Now the development continues, after two years up to this point at the hands of Walkinshaw’s crack team with experience in F1 and at manufacturers like McLaren, Ferrari and Porsche. TWR wants the Supercat to set the standard for future products (expect more bold designs and driver-focused specs, basically), so has been putting the hours in at proving grounds, in the wind tunnel and using CFD; the bodywork alone took ‘tens of thousands of hours’. 

The interior will be revealed at the summer dynamic launch, though it’s easy to imagine quite a few being persuaded by the potential already. Especially as TWR will make just 88 (because 1988 was the last time Jaguar won at Le Mans) and with a price that’s from £225,000 plus local taxes. Which, in the world of contemporary restomods, no longer looks very much. A £10,000 refundable deposit can be paid now, with the first cars set to be ready by the end of 2024. Naturally, buyers will be able to work with TWR to achieve exactly the specification they desire. Don’t be surprised if this bottle green with orange is popular…

“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,” said Fergus Walkinshaw.

“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.”

Sounds pretty awesome, right? That summer reveal can’t come soon enough…