The Jaguar XJ220

Built to celebrate Jaguar’s motorsport success throughout the 1980s, the XJ220 was designed and built in conjunction with Tom Walkinshaw Racing and unveiled at the 1988 Birmingham Motor Show.

The 3,498 cc, twin-turbocharged V6 engine produced a colossal 542 bhp, sending drive to the road through a five-speed manual gearbox and two of the largest rear tyres ever seen, 345/35ZR18! The XJ220 was also one of the first production road cars to utilise flat floors and the venturi effect to generate underbody downforce. The car’s slippery design resulted in a drag coefficient of only 0.36 and downforce of 1,400 kg (3,000 lb) at 200 mph (320 km/h)!

During testing, the XJ220 recorded a top speed of 217.1 mph (349.4 km/h) at the Italian test track Nardo. This made it the fastest production car of its day, with Jaguar also claiming the car to have set a new production car lap record at the famed Nürburgring in Germany, setting a time of 7:46.36 in 1991.

This Jaguar XJ220

Delivered through Jaguar Sport Limited in May 1994, this XJ220 was sold to none other than Benetton Formula One team manager Flavio Briatore. Nineteen ninety-four was to be a spectacular year for Briatore and his Benetton Formula One team, with their driver, Michael Schumacher, claiming a staggering eight race victories, eight fastest laps, six pole positions and one Formula One World Drivers’ Championship! When you are having a year like that, you need an XJ220!

But, it was not just Formula One that interested Flavio Briatore. He quickly cemented a reputation as a bit of a party animal and playboy. Later, Briatore became engaged to supermodel Naomi Campbell, before dating another supermodel, Heidi Klum, and eventually marrying Wonderbra model Elisabetta Gregoraci. Briatore also created the Billionaire nightclub group, but let’s be honest, we just want to know about the parties, girls and champagne that surrounded this XJ220!

As confirmed by the original service record and warranty book still with the car, it was delivered new in Daytona Black with a Smoke Grey interior, exactly as it is presented now. The original manuals allow us to also confirm the engine and gearbox are also the original units.

In 1997, this XJ220 was bought by Gunter Hofferbert in Germany and serviced in August the same year, at which point the mileage was noted as 4,320 km. In 1997, the car was again serviced in Germany by a Jaguar main dealer, then displaying 9,084 km. Clearly Mr Hofferbert was enjoying driving this XJ220, as the car was displaying 14,669 km in August 1998 when serviced by Jaguar once again.

In 2008, the car had 22,546 km when serviced by Gemballa Automobiltechnik, still in Germany, at a cost of €6,546.61. Later the same year, the car was purchased by a passionate Italian whose collection also housed a Ferrari 275 GTB, Ferrari 330 GTS, Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 ‘Villa d’Este’ and 1900 C Super Sprint Cabriolet by Touring — a true connoisseur. Since purchase, the car saw very little use, having covered less than 700 km in over 10 years!

In December 2018, we bought the car from Italy, returning it to its homeland for a full detail and preparation prior to presentation on our display at Rétromobile. Prior to delivery to the next owner, we will arrange for the car to be serviced by Jaguar Heritage in England, ensuring the next owner has many miles of enjoyable, and probably fast, motoring ahead. 

Price Upon Request