The cars were all V6. It was originally proposed as V12, but that was never built.Odd there isn't a picture of the engine, it's visible through the rear glass window.

 

As I was in Gaydon, 2013, the concept was still on display, showing hubcaps over alloy rims (like Tesla does with the Model 3) and you can see the V12, which didn't look much different, apart for trumpets instead of intake manifolds, and more fuel lines

 

The XJ220 was originally slated to sport the V12, but as the story goes TWR designed and built the car which was well over budget Jaguar insisted on using a TT version of the Duratech V6

 

No, not the Duratec V6. That came a lot later. The engine is the Rover V6 as fitted to the Metro Rallye car. The Duratec (Ford) V6 was first used in a Jaguar in the S Type. Then the X Type as well as the XJ (X350). A good engine in the Mondeo, a bad engine in a Jag (as the Jag engineers made it worse).

 

It was worse than that. Deposits were taken and firm uncancellable orders backed by substantial non-returnable deposits, were placed by customers on the basis of it being powered by a N/A V12 and (I am not 100% sure on this latter point, but I seem to remember) with all-wheel drive. When it came to it, the packaging and costs and weight just could not be made to work - at least at a cost Jaguar wanted to absorb. So Jaguar resorted to the small print and unilaterally changed the spec to a V6 turbocharged rally-car engine (as Daim so correctly said) which was a truly horrible item for a top-notch supercar - even though it developed loads of power.
It was a public relations disaster with endless court cases brought against Jaguar by very wealthy and annoyed customers who had quite clearly been deceived - even if the contract allowed any changes whatsoever to be made by Jaguar. A classic case of how not to handle a problem.

 

A couple of friends and I are lucky enough to own a Silverstone Green one. IMO, still the best-looking Supercar in the world. Coincidentally, I'm just popping down the storage unit to get goosebumps by just looking at it. And then I'll watch Hamilton win the Grand Prix. Happy Days!

Paul

 

find ten differences

 

was the ROVER engine original version bought from GM as the Buick 215 aluminum engine?

 

I couldn't begin to imagine putting a hefty deposit on the 12 cylinder then being told I'm receiving a twin turbo V6. I remember the outrage and disappointment at the time (not personally LOL).

Nice Pics!

 

 

wiki must be wrong, look up Jaguar 220, they say Austin Rover V64V-V6 engine.
instead of a completly different block outer casting molds ,they used some V8 molds but only 6 cylinder bores.
it is true almost nothing related to the GM 215 aluminum engine was used , only took 50years and many changes.

interesting that ALLEN SCOTT was involved in the engine design , but the last paragraph , was bitter against the actual driving and handling of the car.

altho i'd still love to own one!!

ron

 

 

No. it was a Honda derivative, I think.

 

 

I think we have crossed lines. I realise the Buick-derived V8 was extensively used by British Leyland and by land Rover. I meant that the Metro rally car did not use a block derived from it, and nor, I think did the version of the engine used in the Jaguar 220.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin..._6R4_rally_car
Cheers
Greg

 

to add to the story, the actual Buick 215 aluminum engine was designed in the late 1940s,Wiki, to be used in the Buick LeSabre 1951 supercharged!
wiki ,Buick Le Sabre 1951. read how far ahead it was, WILD LOOKING CAR.

little more here , ME growing up in USA ,was running a small engine performance shop 1962, a guy from the OLDSMOBILE Dealer brought in a 1962 TURBOCHARGED Oldsmobile Jetfire.
saying it had no performance , i played around with it ,found a small light on dash, got some paper work from GM , and the water methenol injection tank was empty! filled it up and went like good, the American Big BLocks were showing up and for acceleration nothing could beat them!

was one of the 1st mass produced cars with all alumninum engine ,turbocharged , W/Meth injection in the world, 1962 Oldsmobile F85/Jetfire.. wiki.

thing is I got to drive one and work on it for couple days!
also it was supposed to use the GM/Buick/Olds. aluminum blocks, donno , so Rover has a long aqaintence with them!

ron