Jaguar as we know it is no more, and it’s about to enter a new era by ditching the combustion engine to compete in the ultra-luxury electric car space. But if you’re still dreaming of the good old days of the British wild cats, the XJS is making a stunning comeback. No, Jaguar isn’t bringing it back. Instead, TWR is reviving the grand tourer with a bold carbon-fibre body modification designed by Khezel Saleem.
TWR was formed in 2020 as a separate entity from the legendary Tom Walkinshaw Racing, an engineering company that not only works on Jaguar cars and modifications, but its inaugural project is none other than the XJS, renamed the ‘Supercat’, a version that is around 10 per cent lighter than the original, weighing in at 1,605kg after fitting the wildly designed carbon body. Customers can also opt for carbon-ceramic brakes at both axles. 
A lot is happening outside, from the boxy wheel arches to the aerodynamically aggressive front and rear ends. TWR has given the Supercat a side exhaust not just for show but to make way for the flat underbody and a giant rear diffuser. The car is also slightly wider than the original XJS and has much larger wheels than the standard 15-inch setup: 18 inches up front and 19 inches at the rear. Aside from the outlandish styling, there are profound changes, with the chassis being reinforced with carbon fibre while the subframe uses high-strength T45 tubular stainless steel designed by TWR. The double wishbone suspension now features active, adjustable shock absorbers, and a limited-slip differential has been added. To enhance stability, the Supercat also features traction control. There are even five adjustable driving modes. 
But the real showpiece is undoubtedly under the vented bonnet. The engine is now a 6.5-litre V12 that produces 660bhp and 730Nm of torque, channelled to the rear axle via a six-speed manual gearbox. 
While the donor car was a 2+2, the Supercat is a two-seater with power seats and a larger cargo area. If there’s one thing we don’t like about the car, it’s the all-digital instrument cluster. Some nice analogue gauges would be more appropriate, as everything else looks bland and dated inside. We especially like the carbon fibre-backed leather seats and gear knob. The digital instrument cluster isn’t the only display, as TWR has also added a central infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.
