XJ220 questions

I haven't driven one but I have looked into getting one. There were 283 standard XJ220's made and 6 of the XJ220 S versions with lightweight bodywork, more horsepower etc. The S is over 600 lbs lighter with about 150 hp more.
The standard car is exceedingly fast and the horsepower is probably underated at 540. The brakes are the weak point on the standard car, and they do suffer from heat soak in the engine compartment just like our beloved Modenas. You can get a very good car for under 200,000 dollars. The low mileage examples usually need work to make them useable; new fuel tank bladders, engine seals and upgrades, etc.
You can get them into the US under the Show and Display rules without having to do any DOT modifications for around $25,000.
The original concept was an all wheel drive car with a V12. The car was just too heavy and the V12 made it too long, thus the final iteration being a V6 with rear wheel drive.
On an interesting note; the car is very strong. The car was tested with a static load of 20,000 lbs (10 tons) of weight loaded on top of the roof. There was so little deflection the windshield didn't even break. You could probably get an exemption to run this car in the Silver State Classic without adding a rollbar because of its inherent strength.
A fantastic car and a beautiful design that hit the market at precisely the wrong time.

 

You can download a TOPGEAR test here (it's between the XJ220 and an F40):

http://racingflix.com/browsevideos.asp?p=6

 

225-250k max, 275k is on the high side.

5 TWR modified versions

Has competed in Le Mans as private entries however only did well once (tranny issues).

There were a handful in a factory warehouse still unsold, wrapped up completely in plastic as of 2 years ago.

They kick in and accelerate you like the hand of god, to quote one owner. Ask Byron who managed to ride in the XJ220-S on our Supercar drive less than 2 weeks ago.

They are as long as the sedans, 6 1/2 ft wide, and as heavy as a C5. They are not particularly nimble but feel fat. They can by the numbers compare to a Lotus Esprit on the skidpad and in the slalom but most owners never drive the cars like that.

In a straight line contest, check out the Top Gear F40 vs XJ220 video. Only a few cars can out accelerate it. For some, that and the shape are enough.

The twin turbo V6 was better for weight distribution and more economical. Also, the engine was not fully developed by Jaguar and it was easier than developing the V12 for a supercar application. The XJ13 was the last performance V12 Jaguar devised on their own. Edit: I wanted to add that the XJR-S is still the same street engine with a modified cam, ignition, and intake. A true Lister XJS along with the XJR-S are the last big V12's since Ford has taken them over.

Sunny