Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Jaguar celebrates 20 years of XJ220]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/01/jaguar-celebrates-20-years-of-xj220/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/01/jaguar-celebrates-20-years-of-xj220/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/01/jaguar-celebrates-20-years-of-xj220/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Jaguar XJ220 prototype

What binds car enthusiasts to one another? A love for cars, certainly, but we'd argue there's a deeper psychological connection. Namely that we've never quite grown up, and don't really care to. We're all still the little boys we once were, hanging posters of our favorite supercars on the walls of our childhood bedrooms. The only way to convince us of the reality of our own age is to show us how old the then-new supercars we pined for as kids have now become. So it's with a big lump in our collective throat that we bring you the news that the Jaguar XJ220 is now 20 years old - and along with it, that we're all 20 years older than we were when it came out.

The first time we got a glimpse of the mid-engined XJ220 was actually back in 1988 when it debuted at the British Motor Show. But that was in concept form. It wasn't until 1992 that the first customer took delivery. And while it was a fair bit different from the concept version (okay, so the drivetrain was very different, with half the cylinders and half the driven wheels of the V12 concept), what we got was still earth-shattering in its capabilities - particularly for its time, but still by any objective measure. The production XJ220 packed 550 horsepower, hit 60 in less than four seconds and hit a top speed of 213 mph... a new record in the early 90s.

By the time production ceased two years later, Jaguar and TWR had built just 275 examples. The one pictured above is one of ten pre-production prototypes, specifically the example that Andy Wallace piloted to that landmark top speed at Ford Stockton, Texas, in 1991. The yellow example (also pictured in our high-resolution image gallery) was one of the very rare XJ220 S homologation specials with carbon fiber bodywork and 700 horsepower on tap. Click the thumbnails to scope it out and follow the jump for the full press release to take a trip back to your childhood.

Continue reading Jaguar celebrates 20 years of XJ220

Jaguar celebrates 20 years of XJ220 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy wallacejaguarjaguar supercarjaguar xj220jaguar xj220 sjaguar xj220ssupercartop speed recordxj 220xj-220xj220xj220sWed, 01 Feb 2012 13:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20160959/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/01/jaguar-celebrates-20-years-of-xj220/20160959/article-detail.xml 20160959 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/webjagxj22020thanniv30011214-copy_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/webjagxj22020thanniv30011214-copy.jpg <![CDATA[Dyson Racing jumps to LMP2, will race Porsche RS Spyders]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/20/dyson-racing-jumps-to-lmp2-will-race-porsche-rs-spyders/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/20/dyson-racing-jumps-to-lmp2-will-race-porsche-rs-spyders/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/20/dyson-racing-jumps-to-lmp2-will-race-porsche-rs-spyders/#commentsFiled under: ,

Dyson Racing Thetford/Norcold Porsche RS Spyder

Dyson Racing is moving to the LMP2 class for 2007's American Le Mans Series season, and they'll do so in style as they become the first customer team to run Porsche's RS Spyder racing prototype. You'll recall that Porsche's official development partner, Penske Racing, ran a pair of the DHL-liveried Spyders for the 2006 season.

The cars Rob Dyson's team will run are the new 2007 models, which are more aerodynamic (and dare we say better looking) than last year's 1st gen cars. They will be identical to the cars Penske runs, and they are sure to add even more juice to a very energized LMP2 class that's also welcoming Acura into the fold next year. In fact, LMP2 appears to be the class to watch, as Dyson's departure from the LMP1 class leaves reigning champion Audi Sport and Autocon Motorsport alone to duke it out for the P1 crown. (Danbury, CT-based Highcroft racing left P1 as well and is one of the teams that will field the new Acura racer.)

When you consider that the R10 TDIs went undefeated in P1 last season, it doesn't look like that division will be a source of much drama. Most people will wait for the utter steel cage match that will be Audi vs. Peugeot in a diesel-fueled France vs. Germany duel at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

It should be great fun to watch Chris Dyson and Guy Smith in the #20 car and Butch Leitzinger and Andy Wallace in the #16 car as they do battle in in what has become a substantial LMP2 team roster. The 12 Hours of Sebring can't arrive soon enough.

(Press releases, #20 car livery after the jump)

[Sources: Dyson Racing, American Le Mans Series, Porsche]

Continue reading Dyson Racing jumps to LMP2, will race Porsche RS Spyders

Dyson Racing jumps to LMP2, will race Porsche RS Spyders originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Dec 2006 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ALMSamerican le mansAmericanLeMansandy wallaceAndyWallacebutch leitzingerButchLeitzingerchris dysonChrisDysondyson racingDysonRacinglmp2p2porsche rs spyderPorscheRsSpyderrob dysonRobDysonrs spyderRsSpyderWed, 20 Dec 2006 10:04:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/721282/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/12/20/dyson-racing-jumps-to-lmp2-will-race-porsche-rs-spyders/721282/article-detail.xml 721282 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/12/06porsche2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/12/06porsche2.jpg -1 2