Jaguar XJ220 Was Special, Unique, and Crazy, Says Doug DeMuro
Jaguar XJ220 might not be the most celebrated supercar ever made, but it’s most certainly one of the most special.
Following the hum-drum oil crisis-restricted ’80s, the ’90s saw a proper renaissance of supercars. Many of which landed on our walls in poster form, catching our eye every day and helping us dream of 200+ mile-per-hour blasts as youngsters. But while cars like the Porsche 959 and Ferrari F40 get most of the press, let’s not forget about the most insane car of the decade – the Jaguar XJ220.
In fact, the most popular YouTube car guy on the planet, Doug DeMuro, thinks that this swoopy Jaguar is the absolute craziest car sold in the ’90s. And who are we to argue with a guy that has over three million loyal followers? “It’s one of my all-time favorite cars,” DeMuro says. “That’s because it isn’t just a supercar. Cars like the Ferrari F40 and Aventador and Bugatti Veyron, everybody knows about them. They get all the press. But this car is just as special. And yet, it isn’t as celebrated or as well known.”
And that’s a real shame, but one that DeMuro seeks to rectify with this video. Even though the Jaguar XJ220 suffered from several “undelivered promises,” as DeMuro points out. That includes the car’s failure to reach a claimed 220 mph top speed, even after Jag removed the rev limiter and cats. The production version also lost the concept’s rear-wheel steering, all-wheel-drive, scissor doors, and mid-mounted V12 engine. But none of that really mattered in the end.
“Even with all the changes, the XJ220 still performed,” DeMuro says. “This was the fastest production car in the world for one year until the McLaren F1 came along and beat it.” Even then, Jaguar didn’t have people lining up to buy the XJ220. They ended production early after having sold 280 units. But today, people are finally starting to realize how great the XJ220 is, and prices have been going up steadily.
Like most supercars, the XJ220 does have its perks, of which DeMuro points out every single one. That includes doors that barely open wide enough to allow even a thin guy such as himself to get in. Making matters harder are door sills that are “truly, insanely massive.” When you get in, you’ll also enjoy the XJ220’s glass roof, unless it’s a hot day. Mainly because there’s no shade to cool things off. And if that isn’t Jaguar enough for you, consider that the windows don’t roll down all the way. But they do roll up past the top of the door trim.
And that’s just a couple of the many strange quirks you’ll find in the XJ220. But none of them really matter once DeMuro gets the sleek Jaguar out on the road. He admits that driving the XJ220 is “fulfilling a childhood dream of mine.” He is surprised by the car’s “unbelievably heavy” steering and long brake pedal travel. Until he hits some curves, anyway. “You do start to actually appreciate the steering,” DeMuro says. “It just feels like you are really controlling the car.”
In terms of power, there is some turbo lag, like any old school turbo car. But when the power comes on, “it kind of just blows you back,” DeMuro says. “That is really some speed. This car is not just ’90s exotic car fast. This is still pretty fast. And it looks special, too. “If people know what it is, they freak out. It’s a really special treat to see one, to drive one, to be in one. It is one of the most special supercars ever made, at least to me.” And given how many countless vehicles DeMuro’s driven, we’ll take that as a major compliment!
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