When introduced in the early 1990s, the Jaguar XJ220 was the fastest production car on the planet at 220 mph. When Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) and Jaguar Sport launched the XJ220-C to compete in the GT class (Group N) of FIA motor sport, the bar was again raised. At the same time, in January 1993 at the Autosports Show in England, TWR and Jaguar Sport also announced the XJ220 S, a limited-production, road-going version to comply with homologation requirements.

While the standard XJ220 was clothed in a lightweight aluminum body, TWR's S version replaced every panel, except the doors, with carbon fiber resulting in a svelte 2,379 pound brute. In doing so they added a front splitter, wider rocker panels and an adjustable rear wing that gave the XJ220 S an imposing look, making the standard XJ220 look domesticated. The lightweight nose is easily removable for access and service. Boosted to 680 bhp, TWR also cranked the twin-turbo V6 to its limits. Combined with a weight reduction that retained only the air conditioning, XJ220 S could leap to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and reach 228 mph.