Currently reading: Callum Design reinvents Jaguar XJ220 for new era

Ian Callum's design consultancy is poised to reveal its take on the legendary supercar

The eponymous consultancy of acclaimed car designer Ian Callum has reinvented the Jaguar XJ220. 

The new take on the XJ220 has yet to be revealed in full, but a side-profile image published by Callum Design showcases a dramatically different styling direction compared with the original. 

It is notably sharper around its haunches and there is a greater slope at its rear end. 

However, several cues remain intact, including the egg-shaped side windows and air ducts along its flanks.

Callum Design described the reimagined XJ220 as a “concept” and a “design study”, emphasising that there are no concrete plans to build a road-going car. But it added that the project “shows what’s possible” when working with the company, suggesting that a client with enough cash to spend could commission their own car.

The reworked XJ220 is expected to be revealed in full in the coming months. October marks the 35th anniversary of the production XJ220’s unveiling at the Tokyo motor show and that could provide Callum Design a fitting opportunity to celebrate the supercar.

Ian Callum, who was director of design at Jaguar from 1999 to 2019, has in recent years put his own spin on several historic cars. These include the Wood and Pickett Mini and the Aston Martin Vanquish – the latter of which he also originally designed. His consultancy has also been responsible for building a road-legal version of the Jaguar C-X75 concept, the ill-fated successor to the XJ220 and a car originally created while he was Jaguar's design chief.

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Charlie Martin

Charlie Martin Autocar
Title: Staff Writer

As part of Autocar’s news desk, Charlie plays a key role in the title’s coverage of new car launches and industry events. He’s also a regular contributor to its social media channels, creating content for Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook and Twitter.

Charlie joined Autocar in July 2022 after a nine-month stint as an apprentice with sister publication What Car?, during which he acquired his gold-standard NCTJ diploma with the Press Association.

He is the proud owner of a Mk4 Mazda MX-5 but still feels pangs of guilt over selling his first car, a Fiat Panda 100HP.