This is the unbelievably rare 1990 JaguarSport XJR-15 (002-RACE). The XJR-15 was announced in late 1990, with a press launch at Silverstone in January 1991, followed by a public showing at the Autosport Racing Car Show. This example was driven in the 1991 JaguarSport Intercontinental Challenge by Davy Jones and Will Hoy, finishing 3rd at Jaguar Monaco, 11th at Jaguar Silverstone, and 4th at Jaguar Spa. The JaguarSport XJR-15 was developed by Scottish racing driver Tom Walkinshaw, founder of Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR). His relationship with Jaguar rose after success racing a Jaguar XJ-S in the 1982 European Touring Car Championship. By 1988, the TWR-designed Jaguar XJR-9 won the 24 Hours of Le Mans. With demand growing for a racing road car, TWR and Jaguar Cars Limited formed JaguarSport in the late 1980s to develop the XJR-15 and XJ220. Initially dubbed ‘XJR-14’, ‘R9-R’, or ‘S3’ internally, the Peter Stevens-designed XJR-15 was based on the Tony Southgate-engineered XJR-9LM. Stevens began with the ex-Win Percy XJR-8 tub, building a Le Mans-style road car per Walkinshaw’s request. Stevens later revised the carbon monocoque for road use, while Jim Router and David Fullerton tuned the chassis. Carbon fiber work was done by Astec Composites and Dove. Andy Morrison served as project manager, with Charlie Bamber and Martin Smith developing the engine under Allan Scott. It was also built to race in the 1991 Jaguar Sport Intercontinental Challenge—held at Monaco, Silverstone, and Spa—with 16 cars entered and two spares prepared. In total, 52 XJR-15s were made, including race cars, LM versions, road cars, and prototypes, each with unique differences. The one-make 1991 JaguarSport Intercontinental Challenge featured drivers such as Matt Aitken, Davy Jones, Andy Evans, Bob Wollek, Tiff Needell, Jim Richards, Cor Euser, Masauki Sunada, David Brabham, Armin Hahne, Derek Warwick, David Leslie, Nigel Spiro, John Nielsen, Yojiro Terada, Juan-Manuel Fangio II, Ian Flux, Win Percy, Kenny Acheson, Will Hoy, Pierre Dieudonné, Thierry Tassin, John Watson, and Jeff Allam.
How many made? 50 total (+2 prototypes)
Engine: 6.0L naturally aspirated 24-valve Jaguar V12 paired to either a 5-speed manual (road) or 6-speed manual (race).
Debut: Announced in late 1990, with a press launch at Silverstone in January 1991, followed by a public showing at the Autosport Racing Car Show.
Top Speed: around 191mph
0-60mph: around 3.9 seconds
Photo Credit: @john_ahn.pic, @nozomiokz and @kirin_cars
Research: @rarecarsonly
1991 JaguarSport XJR-15
28.01.2025
JaguarSport