TWR Introduces The V12 Super-GT Supercat Worldwide

Fergus Walkinshaw, Director and Founder, TWR

“Almost 40 years after my father’s pioneering company excelled on the racing circuit, we are thrilled to reintroduce the TWR name with our newest model, the Supercat. This initial offering is crafted as a genuine, analog Super-GT aimed at dedicated driving enthusiasts, and has been meticulously developed over the past three years by some of the most talented individuals in contemporary motorsport. Built upon the classic Jaguar XJS, it incorporates modern materials and manufacturing techniques, along with our proprietary supercharged V12, to ensure an exhilarating and engaging driving experience both on the road and the track. With only 88 units being produced and each vehicle individually tailored, this is an opportunity to acquire something exceptionally unique and personal, deeply rooted in motorsport heritage while being entirely modern in its design, engineering, and performance.”

The Supercat has been meticulously crafted by a team comprised of some of the most renowned figures in motorsport, including specialists from McLaren, Ferrari, Porsche, Williams, and Renault F1. Leading the initiative is Fergus Walkinshaw, TWR’s director and co-founder. He is the son of the legendary Tom Walkinshaw, who was instrumental in TWR’s legacy and guided Jaguars to triumph in the European Touring Car Championship, Spa 24 Hours, and Bathurst during the 1980s.

A Genuine TWR Super-GT

The TWR Supercat is fundamentally based on the Jaguar XJS and draws design influences from other legendary racing Jaguars of its time, such as the XJR-9, XJR-15, and the XJ220 supercar. Staying true to its racing roots, the Supercat is equipped with rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission, providing a pure, engaging, and completely analog driving experience. Powering this vehicle is a formidable supercharged V12 engine, developed by TWR’s own engineers. This engine produces a remarkable 660bhp and 730Nm of torque.

TWR’s approach underscores the belief that remarkable driving experiences go beyond mere horsepower. This is exemplified by a range of engineering advancements that ensure the Supercat thrives in the most demanding motorsport and road conditions. To accommodate the enhanced power levels, the vehicle’s structure has been fortified with a reinforced tubular steel framework, while the use of lightweight carbon-fiber body panels results in a 9.3% decrease in weight compared to the original Jaguar XJS (1,605kg against 1,770kg).

Additional features include the option for carbon ceramic disc brakes, fully customizable traction control, launch control, and five unique driving modes. These settings allow drivers to adjust the car’s dynamics to meet various road and track conditions. The double wishbone suspension, complemented by an active dynamic damping system, guarantees a balanced and comfortable Super-GT experience during long-distance journeys. It also provides the precision, feedback, and stability demanded in dynamic road and track scenarios. This combination of characteristics embodies the Super-GT philosophy, fulfilling the aim of crafting a vehicle suitable for both high-speed touring and enthusiastic track performance.

The Supercat successfully accomplishes its objectives, serving as an ideal companion for trips to the Nürburgring. It features adjustable suspension and steering, ensuring an exceptional GT driving experience on the way. Once on the track, the vehicle seamlessly transitions to deliver thrilling performance, returning passengers in unmatched comfort afterward.

Practicality has been thoughtfully addressed. The back seats have been replaced with a considerably larger luggage compartment, guaranteeing sufficient room for long-distance travel—a core trait of the Super-GT lineage. Interior comfort is enhanced by a completely redesigned cabin that merges contemporary features while honoring the classic Jaguar XJS aesthetic.

Included in this upgrade is a fully digital multimedia interface (MMI) that supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The settings for suspension and steering can be seamlessly adjusted through an easy-to-use toggle system. The leather seats, backed with carbon fiber, come in a modern style or a ‘heritage’ variant, which pays tribute to the original XJS seat louvers.

Radically Styled

Khyzyl Saleem, Designer, TWR Supercat: “I am proud to have designed a TWR true to its racing and performance DNA, building on the foundations of one of Britain’s great automotive icons. The TWR Supercat represents an entirely new expression of the original. As a designer, working with a new palette of highly technical materials has allowed me to re-energize the form and stance of the Jaguar XJS, boldly expressing our mission to create a true Super-GT. Collaborating with TWR’s exceptional engineers and aerodynamicists, we’ve created a car where every line and feature serves a performance purpose, authentically representing TWR’s legacy on both the track and the road.”

The TWR Supercat embodies the vision of a contemporary, high-performance TWR vehicle, drawing inspiration from the classic Jaguar XJS. Its eye-catching profile has been crafted by Khyzyl Saleem, a prominent figure in digital and 3D automotive concept design, celebrated for his collaborations with renowned personalities such as the late Ken Block and Travis Pastrana.

Saleem’s design was significantly enhanced by the collaboration with Magnus Walker, a legendary designer and car collector hailing from Britain. Walker’s deep understanding of car culture worldwide played a crucial role in shaping the concept of a vehicle that merges the foundational legacy of the Jaguar XJS with the bold, unique design and characteristics typical of modern TWR vehicles.

Their joint efforts result in the Supercat boasting a more muscular and aggressive demeanor while maintaining the iconic features of the Jaguar XJS, such as its distinct silhouette, flying buttresses, and front-end design. Subtle design elements serve as a tribute to TWR’s longstanding partnership with the Jaguar brand.In alignment with TWR’s core philosophy, the design of the Supercat is fundamentally influenced by engineering needs aimed at achieving outstanding performance. Saleem’s design concepts underwent rigorous assessments for aerodynamic effectiveness, conducted by an aerodynamicist who previously achieved success in the World Championship with Mercedes-Benz F1. This partnership guarantees that the Supercat offers a thrilling and engaging driving experience, adhering to the original design objectives.

The final design not only conveys the Super-GT’s dynamic characteristics but also integrates a range of aerodynamically efficient elements that create essential downforce. Key features include carefully engineered splitters and in-body aerodynamic enhancements, which enhance stability during both high-speed cruising and track experiences.

Notable aerodynamic advancements consist of a complete redesign of the XJS’s signature flying buttresses, now sculpted to improve airflow from the vehicle’s body to the rear haunches. The design features a flatter floorplan paired with a custom, thoroughly re-engineered rear splitter, enhancing downforce needed to harness the Supercat’s impressive power output. In response to these modifications, the exhaust system has been shifted from the rear to the side of the vehicle.

The Supercat’s wider stance significantly enhances its athletic presence. The vehicle’s width has been expanded from 1,793mm to 1,975mm in comparison with the original XJS, improving its visual and aerodynamic profile. This broader base is paired with TWR Forged Monoblok wheels, measuring 18 inches at the front and 19 inches at the back—a substantial upgrade from the original XJS’s 15-inch alloys.

The First of a New Breed of TWRs

As the inaugural TWR production model, the Supercat embodies the company’s philosophy of combining contemporary engineering, materials, and techniques with a classic foundation, creating a vehicle that reflects the essence of TWR, which revolutionized world motorsport during the 1980s and 1990s. Future TWR cars will undergo a similar comprehensive development and testing approach, employing protocols and facilities analogous to those utilized by premier sports car manufacturers, racing teams, and other performance experts. This philosophy is consistently applied to the production of every TWR vehicle, with all cars handcrafted at the company’s facility located in Newbury, Berkshire, in a dedicated TWR factory.

The Enigmatic Number

TWR is currently welcoming orders for the Supercat, with its production limited to just 88 units globally, serving as a tribute to Tom Walkinshaw’s iconic victory with the XJR-9 at Le Mans in 1988. The initial customer deliveries are projected for summer 2025. Each Supercat is custom-made, offering customers a broad array of personalization choices. Pre-orders have been placed across the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East in configurations for both right-hand and left-hand drive. Pricing will differ based on specific configurations, starting at £225,000, not including local taxes. A select number of production slots are still available, with a deposit requirement of £35,000.

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