Performance Review: Jaguar XJ 220 - [1991]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Jaguar XJ Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Jaguar XJ 220 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1991. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1991 Jaguar XJ R-15 6.0 V12 and the 1992 Bugatti EB110 SuperSport.This particular Jaguar XJ has a 3498cc Twin Turbo Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The XJ shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the XJ's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1560 kgs (3439 lbs) this makes the Jaguar XJ 220 in the same weight category as the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Stradale 4.0 V8 Hybrid or the give or take 50kg.

The Jaguar XJ shares the same bhp with the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (500 bhp)

In terms of power the 3498cc 24V V6 engine produces 507 bhp (378 kW) @ 7200 rpm similar to the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (500 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (493 bhp).

The Twin Turbo V6 throws out 472 lb-ft (639.9 Nm) @ 4500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (470 lb-ft) or the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 (460 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Jaguar XJ you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2021 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Supercharged Convertible (347.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Jaguar XJ.

The Jaguar XJ has a Power to weight ratio of 325.0 bhp per ton and 302.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1991 XJ competing with the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Supercharged Convertible (347.7 bhp per ton) or the 2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Convertible (347.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Jaguar XJ generating around 302.5 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1995 Porsche 911 GT2 993 (327.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2017 Mercedes S Class 65 AMG Cabriolet 6.0 V12 (327.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.7 secs, this made the Jaguar XJ 220 as fast as the 2023 BMW i7 M70 xDrive G70 (3.60 secs) the 2020 Audi TT RS 2.0 Turbo (3.60 secs) the 2020 Iso Rivolta GTZ 6.2 V8 Supercharged (3.60 secs) the or the 2019 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 V8 Turbo F85 (3.60 secs). This Jaguar XJ 220 is also faster than the 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (3.70 secs) the 2022 BMW 8 Series M850i xDrive 4.4 V8 Turbo G15 (3.70 secs) the 2021 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring 992 (3.70 secs) the and the 2021 Porsche 911 GT3 992 (3.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the XJ and the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 4Motion 2.0 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Jaguar XJ on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.88 secs @ 115.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 4Motion 2.0 Turbo (11.82 secs), the 1983 Bentley Mulsanne 6.8 V8 Turbo (11.84 secs), and the 1995 Caterham Super 7 1.6 16v (11.84 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1991 version of the Jaguar XJ 220 has a maximum speed of 220mph.

Top Speed of the 1991 XJ equals the 2000 Ultima GTR 720 (231 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1991 Jaguar XJ 220 then how about the 2000 Ultima GTR 720 (231 mph), the 2017 Zenvo TS1 GT 5.8 V8 10th Anniversary (233 mph), or the 2011 Zenvo ST1 7.0 V8 (233 mph).

Related Links:

1991 XJ Rivals List.

A Brief History of Jaguar

Car Comparison