Cult 1-18 1993 Jaguar XJR-S diecast model car review

In 1988, Jaguar formally entered into a 50:50 partnership with Tom Wilkinshaw who was, at that time, Jaguar’s racing partner, and whose cars were starting to become successful in endurance racing.

The partnership with Wilkinshaw’s TWR operation was established to create sportier versions of the company’s existing range of cars. These vehicles were given the model designations of XJR for saloons, and XJR-S for sports cars.

The base cars were shipped from Browns Lane to TWR’s facility in Kidlington. For the new XJR-S, upgrades included a subtle body kit, Speedline alloys, firmer front springs, Bilstein dampers, stiffer steering mounts, and a revalved power-steering pinion. Inside, the leather was upgraded, and the steering wheel was replaced by one with four spokes. But, disappointingly, the 5.3 litre engine was left untouched. In late 1989, this issue was rectified with an upgrade to TWR’s 6.0 litre V12, with Zytech fuel injection, a digital ignition system, and modified cold air intakes. This increased the V12’s output from 291 bhp to 318 bhp. On this new version, larger and wider wheels came as standard. The front spring rates were also increased, whilst stiffer springs replaced the standard ones.

All this was reflected in the car’s price. The standard V12 was c. £34k. The XJR-S’s price was c. £54k, but the car still had few competitors. The Aston Martin V8 Vantage, for example, was closer to £100k.

Even in its revised form, the XJR-S was not a proper sports car in the vein of the Ferrari 348 or the Porsche 964, but it was nevertheless a fast car. It got to 60 mph in just over five seconds, and needed to be worked less hard to maintain momentum. It is now considered to be a very desirable, yet very useable, classic.

Cult’s 1:18 replica is everything you might expect it to be, with all the relevant detail authentically captured. At just over £200, Cult’s sealed-bodyshell replicas are not inexpensive, but in today’s market we think they offer very acceptable value.

And in the XJR-S we believe that Cult has found an appropriate subject. At times, we do feel that cars such as the Austin Maxi and the Mini Metro are perhaps less deserving of such treatment. But perhaps that’s just us!

Click Cult 1-18 1993 Jaguar XJR-S to order.