1990 Jaguar XJR-12
1990 Jaguar XJR-12
Brand
Jaguar
Year
1990
Country
Great Britain
Generation
XJR
1990 Jaguar XJR-12
Brand
Jaguar
Year
1990
Country
Great Britain
Generation
XJR
About this car
Discover the history
The Jaguar XJR-12, introduced in 1990, is one of the most iconic sports-prototype race cars produced by Jaguar and Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR). Designed to compete in Group C racing and the IMSA Camel GTP series, the XJR-12 built on Jaguar’s success with its predecessors like the XJR-9, adding refinements to remain competitive at the highest levels of endurance racing.
The XJR-12’s most notable achievement came at the 1990 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it claimed a one-two victory. The car, powered by a 7.0-liter V12 engine, was capable of producing around 730 horsepower, which allowed it to reach a top speed of approximately 240 mph on the Mulsanne Straight. The advanced aerodynamics of the XJR-12, with carefully designed underbody venturis, gave it incredible downforce and stability at high speeds, crucial for enduring the long stretches of Le Mans. The XJR-12’s dominance in endurance racing was further demonstrated by its ability to cover vast distances in record time. During its winning run at Le Mans, the XJR-12 completed nearly 4,900 kilometers at an average speed of around 204 km/h, showcasing both its speed and reliability.
The chassis of the XJR-12 was based on carbon-fiber technology, which was groundbreaking for the time. Its power came from the same V12 engine Jaguar had refined over years of development, which offered both power and durability. This engine design was initially derived from their road-going vehicles, but its evolution in the XJR series made it an unparalleled machine in endurance racing.
In addition to its success at Le Mans, the XJR-12 performed well in other endurance races, notably the World Sportscar Championship and IMSA series. However, the car faced stiff competition from the likes of Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. Despite this, Jaguar’s XJR-12 remained a formidable competitor due to its balance of power, aerodynamics, and efficiency, allowing it to compete successfully even in the highly competitive Group C category.
The XJR-12 was part of Jaguar’s broader racing program during the late 1980s and early 1990s, a period when the company was determined to reclaim its legacy in endurance racing. This program was spearheaded by Tom Walkinshaw Racing, who provided the technical expertise and engineering to ensure Jaguar’s cars remained competitive. The XJR-12, while directly succeeding the XJR-9, was an evolution rather than a completely new design, focusing on refining the existing platform to meet the changing demands of endurance racing.
The car’s success is also tied to its drivers, which included racing legends like Martin Brundle. Brundle’s association with the XJR-12 is particularly memorable due to his performance in the 1990 Le Mans race, where he played a crucial role in Jaguar’s victory, even after a mechanical failure in his original car forced him to switch to another XJR-12.
The XJR-12’s racing pedigree, combined with its advanced engineering and the legacy it left behind, ensures that it remains one of Jaguar’s most celebrated racing cars. It helped cement Jaguar’s return to prominence in motorsports during a period dominated by fierce competitors in both the World Sportscar Championship and IMSA. Though it was eventually succeeded by more technologically advanced models like the XJR-14, the XJR-12’s triumph at Le Mans remains one of Jaguar’s most celebrated achievements in endurance racing.
