I was just wondering where the R-performance started or when the first R-performance car came out?

 

Well, since no one else is offering up, lemme take a stab. I believe that the XJR-S launched in August 1988 by JaguarSport (50:50 owned by Jaguar:TWR) might be considered the first *identified* R car. This was based on the 5.3 litre V12 XJ-S. A year later the XJR-S stepped up to the 6 litre V12. Also, in 1989 JaguarSport launched the XJR based on the XJ40 four-door - no supercharger, just a hotted up 3.6 litre six. So JaguarSport (really Tom Walkinshaw) is the father of the "R" appended Jaguar.

Going back much farther, I think that the first "R" in spirit, if not in name, was the XK-SS sports car produced in 1957. Sir William (having been knighted the previous year) got annoyed by the number of surplus D-Type chassis lying about the works and directed that they be built into road-going sportscars, the XK-SS, to move them out the door. Only 16 were built before the famous factory fire of Feb 1957 put paid to this marketing strategy. To me, those were the first "R" Jaguars (even if they were called SS). If that was good enough for Steve McQueen.....

 

Mike,

Theres a lad in my office who drives an AMG Merc but we wont hold that against him now....

He approached me because his dad used to have a company car based on an XJ40 called a Chasseur Stealth does anyone know anything about it ?

Apologies for digressing....

 

Read all about it:
Jag-lovers brochures - a 1989 Brochure Page

Twin turbos on the XJ40's 3.6 litre six - 310 bhp and 330 lb-ft. Talk about putting Grandma in a pair of racing shoes.....

 

Thanks Mike I will forward the link on.. ;o)