Ex-HSV, Jaguar designer reimagines a 1990s icon
Ian Callum has some of the world’s greatest car designs to his name, and has made an attempt at improving the Jaguar XJ220.
Jaguar entered the record books in the 1990s when its XJ220 supercar became the fastest production car in the world at the time, thanks to its powerful twin-turbo V6 engine and lightweight construction.
The XJ220’s design remains iconic and of its time, led by Keith Helfet before Ian Callum took the ranks as Jaguar’s head of design.
Callum, who went on to help create the HSV GTS-R, Jaguar XK, Aston Martin DB9 and the Jaguar F-Type among others, has recently turned his attention to the XJ220, with his design firm imagining what his version of the supercar could look like.
Called simply the Callum Portfolio XJ220, the concept has been created to preserve “the spirit of the original, reinterpreted with a sharper rear stance and refined contemporary detailing”.
“A contemporary interpretation of one of the most iconic supercars ever made. This concept preserves the unmistakable silhouette of the original while redefining every surface, detail and proportion through a modern lens.”
There are obvious nods to the sleek production car, such as its ovoid side profile, sleek lines and slatted rear lights, though we haven’t been shown what the front end looks like.
Callum Portfolio XJ220 GT1
That is unless you count the separate XJ220 GT1, a racing-inspired version of the concept, with a huge front splitter, wide oval-shaped grille, and sculpted rear wing which hangs over the rear end.
Callum Design has yet to announce plans to team up with any manufacturer to put its recreated XJ220 into production, though as Pininfarina and Italdesign have shown over the past few months with the Honda NSX, there’s still a demand for reheated classics.
