XJ220 Transit 3.5 V6 – a living icon
XJ220 Transit 3.5 V6 – a living icon of engineering madness. What may appear to be a humble 1989 Ford Transit actually conceals a machine born from the world of high performance. Originally created as a covert prototype testbed for Jaguar’s boundary-pushing XJ220 supercar, this van earned legendary status not because of its purpose, but because of what it symbolized. Join us as we explore how this unassuming delivery van became a crucial and celebrated part of Jaguar’s performance legacy.
How a Plain Van Became a Mechanical Masterpiece
Back in the late 1980s, Jaguar engineers were developing their flagship supercar, the XJ220, and needed a way to test the powertrain in real-world conditions. Instead of designing a flashy prototype, they chose stealth: a Ford Transit panel van. Beneath the standard body panels, however, was something remarkable. In 1989, the van's stock 2.5L diesel engine was pulled out and replaced with a 3.5L twin-turbocharged V6, adapted from a Group B rally engine built by Tom Walkinshaw Racing. This engine – later seen in the production XJ220 – produced 542 horsepower and could push the supercar to 213 mph. The Transit’s new heart was installed mid-ship, behind the front seats, paired with a motorsport-grade gearbox that channeled power to the rear wheels.
To manage that monstrous power, the van's chassis underwent serious reinforcement, while the suspension geometry borrowed directly from XJ220 development cars. The end result? A vehicle that could leave high-end sports cars in its dust at the traffic lights, all while looking like a plumber’s ride. The engineering team affectionately dubbed it “the van,” and though it didn’t look the part, it served as a stealthy, high-performance test mule that logged thousands of public road miles without raising eyebrows. For those in the know, however, the engine note was a dead giveaway.
Secret Weapon of the XJ220 Project
Though disguised as an everyday workhorse, the Transit XJ220 played a pivotal role in the development of Jaguar’s supercar. Under its commercial van exterior, engineers concealed the powerful 3.5L twin-turbo V6 derived from the Metro 6R4 rally project by TWR. It allowed them to carry out engine mapping, thermal stress testing, and gearbox calibration without drawing attention. With its mid-engine layout and thunderous exhaust note, this “stealth van” quietly supported the refinement of Jaguar’s halo vehicle. The chassis and cooling systems were upgraded to handle the demands of high-speed testing, making the Transit a surprisingly capable piece of the XJ220 puzzle.
From Testbed to Television Star
The Transit’s cult reputation was cemented when it featured on *Top Gear Australia: The Ashes Special*. In the episode, Richard Hammond lined it up against a Holden Maloo in a drag race. To the shock of many viewers, the Transit took off hard and surged ahead, showcasing the raw power of the XJ220’s engine. At first glance, people thought it was a joke – a TV prop – but it was the real deal, complete with factory steel wheels and original bodywork. This bizarre combination of utility vehicle and exotic drivetrain turned the van into a legend virtually overnight, exposing an obscure part of Jaguar’s history to the world.
A Historic Relic That Still Runs
After spending years out of the public eye, the Transit XJ220 was brought back to life by Don Law Racing – specialists with deep ties to the XJ220. Today, the van is fully functional and remains road legal, retaining the same TWR-built V6 and custom gearbox it was fitted with during development. It's occasionally displayed at events or driven during demonstrations, and it continues to operate in near-original spec. Far from being a mere novelty, this van represents an audacious chapter in Jaguar's history – when they dared to disguise a supercar under the skin of a work van. You can view the Ford Transit technical specifications on our website.
Recap: XJ220 Transit 3.5
The 3.5 V6 Transit XJ220 isn't just an amusing footnote – it's a testament to the creativity and boldness of Jaguar's engineers. What began as a camouflaged test mule turned into one of the most unusual and innovative hybrids in automotive development. With track-ready performance hidden inside a van shell and a starring role on Top Gear, it proves that legends aren’t always shaped like supercars. Sometimes, they roll on steel wheels and wear a Transit badge. |
