TWR Supercat
Bringing the Tom Walkinshaw legend back to life
TWR founder Fergus Walkinshaw’s father was Tom Walkinshaw, who made a name for himself developing touring and prototype racing cars in the 1980s and 1990s, and with the TWR Tomcat he has brought his father’s legendary racing car to a modern era.
TWR has officially announced the Supercat, a radical new restomod super GT based on the legendary Jaguar XJS. Previewed in May 2024, the TWR Supercat has already received rave reviews from media and customers alike prior to its official unveiling.
TWR, established in Newbury, Berkshire, UK, was founded in 2020 by Fergus Walkinshaw, son of Tom Walkinshaw, and his business partner John Cain. The company is an independent entity from Tom Walkinshaw Racing, which was active in the motorsport scene in the 1980s and 1990s, but it shares the same high level of technical expertise and DNA in motorsport.
Fergus’ father, Tom Walkinshaw, was a constructor and racer behind Tom Walkinshaw Racing, and in the 1980s he won the European Touring Car Championship, the Spa 24 Hours and the Bathurst 1000km driving a Jaguar XJS.
The TWR Supercat, which was officially unveiled this time, was developed by a team of engineers from top motorsport teams such as McLaren Automotive, Ferrari, Porsche, Williams, and Renault F1. Only 88 units will be produced to commemorate the victory of the Tom Walkinshaw-designed Jaguar XJR-9 at the 1988 Le Mans 24 Hours.
Deliveries to begin in summer 2025
The base model, including the donor car, will cost £225,000, and orders are already open, with the first deliveries scheduled for summer 2025.
Deliveries of the TWR Supercat to customers are scheduled for summer 2025. Everything is handcrafted, with the base model priced at £225,000. Customers can choose their preferred specifications from a wide range of personalization options. Orders are already open in the US, UK, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, in both right-hand drive and left-hand drive versions.
Fergus Walkinshaw, founder and director of TWR, said of the TWR SuperCat:
“Nearly 40 years after my father’s company dominated the racetracks, we’ve revived the TWR name with the newly developed ‘Super Cat’. Our first creation is designed as a full-scale analogue Super GT for the serious driving enthusiast and has been developed over three years by some of the brightest minds in modern motorsport.
“Based on the classic Jaguar XJS, it uses modern materials and production methods, and an in-house supercharged V12 engine, to deliver an immersive driving experience on both road and track. Only 88 examples will be produced, each one individually bespoke, offering the chance to own a truly unique and personal car that is rooted in motorsport history, yet thoroughly modern in design, engineering and performance.”
Aerodynamics to handle the enormous power
To accommodate the significantly more powerful powertrain, aerodynamic components have been installed that have been widened and maximized downforce.
The TWR Supercat is based on the donor car, the Jaguar XJS, and incorporates a design inspired by iconic racing Jaguars of the time, such as the XJR-9, XJR-15, and XJ220. The design was handled by Kaisir Saleem and Magnus Walker, who have worked for various manufacturers, and the exterior, which is clad in its powerful aerodynamic devices, was completed.
The main aerodynamic changes include a new shape for the XJS’s iconic flying buttresses, optimizing airflow from the body to the rear haunches. The floor plan has been flattened, and a special rear splitter has been introduced to generate the necessary level of downforce to manage the extraordinary power of over 600 PS. In response to these changes, the exhaust system has been moved from the rear to the side.
The overall width has been increased by 182mm from the XJS’s 1793mm to 1975mm, significantly strengthening not only the exterior but also the aerodynamic profile. Complementing this wide stance are 18-inch front and 19-inch rear TWR forged monoblock wheels, which are significantly stronger in terms of rigidity than the 15-inch alloy wheels fitted to the first-generation XJS.
6.0-liter V12 supercharged engine producing 669 PS
At its heart is a 6.0-liter V12 supercharged engine developed exclusively by TWR, which produces a maximum output of 669 PS.
In keeping with its motorsport heritage, the car is equipped with rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission. Beneath the long nose of the carbon fiber body is a powerful 6.0-liter V12 supercharged engine developed in-house by TWR engineers, producing a maximum output of 669 PS and a maximum torque of 730 Nm.
To accommodate the significant increase in power, the body structure has been strengthened with an integrated steel tubular framework. Lightweight carbon fiber body panels have been introduced, resulting in a weight reduction of 9.3% compared to the first-generation Jaguar XJS. Carbon ceramic disc brakes, fully programmable traction control, launch control, and five driving modes are also available as options.
The double-wishbone suspension, enhanced by an Active Dynamic Damping system, provides a comfortable ride even on long drives, while also providing the precision, feedback and stability required for track driving.
Classic interior with integrated digital devices
The TWR Super Cat was completed as a two-seater with the rear seats converted into luggage space, and a full digital multimedia interface (MMI) was installed in the cockpit.
The interior pays homage to the classic Jaguar XJS design while integrating modern features. The rear seats have been removed and replaced with a significantly expanded luggage area. Ample space has been secured for long-distance touring, which is the DNA of the Super GT.
The analog meter has been replaced with a “Full Digital Multimedia Interface (MMI)” that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The full-leather steering wheel, embossed with “TWR” in the center, can be easily adjusted using an intuitive toggle interface. Customers can choose from a range of carbon fiber-backed leather seats, including a contemporary design and a “Heritage” option that references the seat louvers of the original XJS, to suit their personal preferences.
Kaisir Saleem, who was in charge of the design, does not hide his confidence in the quality of the TWR Super Cat.
“We are proud to have designed a TWR Supercat that is true to the motorsport and performance DNA of a great British icon, Tom Walkinshaw Racing, and is a unique new expression of that heritage.”
“As a designer, working with highly technical materials and a new palette has allowed us to reinvigorate the form and stance of the Jaguar XJS to create a true Super GT. Working alongside TWR’s exceptional engineers and aerodynamics team, we have created a car where every line and feature serves a performance purpose, faithfully representing TWR’s legacy both on track and on the road.”
