1989 Jaguar XJR-11
1989 Jaguar XJR-11
Brand
Jaguar
Year
1989
Country
Great Britain
Generation
XJR
1989 Jaguar XJR-11
Brand
Jaguar
Year
1989
Country
Great Britain
Generation
XJR
About this car
Discover the history
The 1989 Jaguar XJR-11 was a pivotal race car designed for the Group C category of the World Sports Car Championship. Built by Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) for Jaguar, this model was introduced as a successor to the earlier XJR-9. The XJR-11 incorporated a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, originally developed for the MG Metro 6R4 rally car, which helped the car achieve competitive performance. Designed by Tony Southgate and Ross Brawn, the XJR-11 featured a carbon fiber and Kevlar monocoque chassis, marking a significant advancement in lightweight materials for racing cars of that era. With its sleek aerodynamics and formidable engine, the XJR-11 was Jaguar’s response to fierce competition from Mercedes and Nissan.
The XJR-11’s debut took place in 1989 at the Brands Hatch 1000km, where it showed great potential by securing pole position alongside its sister car. Despite its promising start, the XJR-11 suffered from mechanical unreliability in its early races. However, by 1990, the car had matured into a more consistent performer. It achieved several podium finishes, including second-place results at Silverstone and Spa, and a third-place finish at Mexico City. These strong results in the 1990 season helped cement the car’s place as a competitive machine, although it was ultimately overshadowed by the dominant Sauber-Mercedes C11. Nonetheless, the XJR-11 was a key player in Jaguar’s motorsport legacy and showcased the technical prowess of its engineering team.
Jaguar’s Silk Cut-liveried XJR-11 ran in both the 1989 and 1990 seasons. The car participated in multiple endurance races, such as the 480 km races at Nürburgring, Donington, and Montreal. It frequently competed against other powerhouse cars like the Porsche 962 and the Sauber-Mercedes. Though it didn’t secure a championship title, the XJR-11 contributed to Jaguar’s impressive racing history during the competitive late Group C era.
A key highlight of the XJR-11 was its cutting-edge design. The car’s aerodynamic bodywork featured pronounced rear winglets and a low-drag front end, which contributed to its high-speed stability and downforce. Combined with its V6 engine, which produced significant horsepower, the XJR-11 excelled on high-speed circuits. Its lightweight carbon-composite chassis helped optimize performance and provided better cornering abilities compared to previous Jaguar models.
In terms of drivers, the XJR-11 was piloted by some of the era’s most respected figures, including Jan Lammers, Andy Wallace, John Nielsen, and Davy Jones. Several of these drivers were Le Mans winners, further solidifying the car’s credentials within endurance racing circles.
The XJR-11’s place in racing history is notable not just for its on-track performances but for its contribution to Jaguar’s overall motorsport strategy. While it was not the most successful Jaguar race car, it laid the groundwork for future innovations and further demonstrated the brand’s ability to compete with the best in the world of endurance racing. Today, surviving XJR-11s are rare and highly coveted by collectors and racing enthusiasts alike, with only three known to exist, making them iconic symbols of Group C’s golden era.
