Jaguar, like many automotive brands, has a history that’s steeped in racing. In particular, the British automaker dominated endurance racing in the 1950s, winning a bevy of championships and accolades. However, after the 1950s, Jaguar hit a slump for nearly forty years until its XJ-S put the company back on its winning ways in 1987. While the XJ-S was an undeniable gem that JaguarSport produced, it could be argued that the apex of its design came in the form of the XJR-15, which debuted in 1990. With only 27 street-legal versions of the “Big Cat” in existence, they’re a collector’s dream, and luckily enough, one is up for private sale at RM Sotheby’s.
The design of the XJR-15 was groundbreaking, utilizing heavy amounts of carbon fiber before the material was en vogue (Peter Stevens, who would go on to design the similarly carbon-filled McLaren F1, penned the Jag’s lines). Thanks to its status as an early adopter of carbon fiber, the XJR-15 weighed in at just 2,315 pounds. Its interior is minimalist to say the least, a mark of a car that’s truly made for racing and handling.
Performance-wise, this Big Cat is a beast. It’s powered by a 6.0L alloy, dry-sump V12 engine and has an impressive output of 450 horsepower. Even more impressive, the XJR-15 had a top speed of 215mph, which is eye-popping even by today’s standards. This stalwart engine is aided by a Zytec electronically controlled sequential fuel injection, aluminum pistons, and a Cosworth-forged crankshaft. Aside from its power and speed, the Big Cat has fantastic handling thanks to its XJR-9-inspired suspension and four-piston AP Racing calipers.
With fewer than 30 of these cars ever made, the XJR-15 is one of the rarest Jaguar models on the planet. It also is a living part of automotive history that any enthusiast would be proud to have. Currently listed for private sale through RM Sotheby’s, the asking price for this Big Cat is £1,450,000 (~$1,940,200).
