At a time when Jaguar is reinventing itself with the Type 01 ultra-luxury EV, the man who steered the brand’s design for two decades is working on reimagining Jaguar’s ultimate halo car, the XJ220 from the early 1990s.
We’re talking about Ian Callum, whose design and engineering consultancy shared two images of a new concept vehicle based on the Jaguar XJ220 mid-engined supercar on its official Instagram account.
A Bold, Contemporary Interpretation Of Jaguar’s 1990s Halo Car
Described by Callum Designs as a “contemporary interpretation of one of the most iconic supercars ever made,” the XJ220 recreation concept retains the unmistakable low-slung silhouette of the original “while redefining every surface, detail and proportion through a modern lens.”
That said, the design direction is dramatically different than the original’s, with a sharper rear stance, more pronounced haunches, and full-face wheels.
The two photos reveal the side profile and a rear three-quarter view of the reimagined supercar, which retains identifying XJ220 marks such as the slim, elongated glasshouse, side intakes and reinterpreted LED taillights formed of four stripes that pay tribute to the original’s grille that protected the taillamps.
The dramatic rear end also features a massive air diffuser with two middle slats but no visible tailpipes. The similarity with the original is also visible in the shape of the integrated rear spoiler—which is interrupted in the middle, though.
The Pop-Up Headlamps Did Not Survive
We have no view of the front end yet, but the side-profile shot reveals a short and plunged nose that features low-set slim LED headlights—there’s no sign of the original pop-up headlamps.
We don’t get a peek at the interior either, but we should expect it to get an even bigger overhaul than the exterior to bring it in line with contemporary supercars.
The Callum Portfolio XJ220 remains a concept for now, with no concrete plans to bring it into production. Still, the company says the project “shows what’s possible” when working with Callum Designs, which likely means it’s waiting for affluent customers to commission it.
The company is expected to reveal the XJ220 concept in the coming months, with October’s Tokyo Motor Show making a fitting venue since that’s where the original XJ220 was unveiled 35 years ago.
The Jaguar XJ220 is the latest historic car to be reimagined by Callum Designs, with previous projects including the Aston Martin Vanquish, Wood and Pickett Mini, and the Jaguar C-X75, the XJ220’s stillborn successor which was actually created under Ian Callum’s watch.
Callum Designs / Instagram
