Few automotive designers have shaped British performance cars like Ian Callum, the creative mind behind icons such as the Aston Martin DB7 and the Jaguar F-Type. Now, through his own studio, Callum Designs, he has unveiled a striking reinterpretation of one of Jaguar's greatest legends—the XJ220—alongside a modern vision of its racing sibling, the XJ220-C.

Rather than announcing a production model, Callum describes both creations as design studies that explore how the legendary supercar could look today. However, the studio has hinted that the right collector with a substantial budget could potentially turn one of these concepts into reality.

Originally developed by Jaguar and TWR, the XJ220 became the world's fastest production car of its era with a top speed of 217 mph. As the model approaches its 35th anniversary, Callum's updated interpretation pays tribute to the original while introducing contemporary styling cues. The familiar oval side windows remain, but the rear haunches are cleaner and more sculpted, while the side air intakes and body profile draw inspiration from the Jaguar C-X75 concept that Callum designed in 2010.

The racing interpretation, now called the XJ220 GT1, receives a far more aggressive appearance. A deep front splitter, an oversized rear wing, and flowing bodywork give the impression that the entire car has been carved from a single piece of metal. Even the wing supports appear to emerge naturally from the rear fenders, emphasizing the seamless design philosophy.

For now, both projects remain conceptual portfolio pieces rather than production cars. Still, Callum Designs hasn't completely ruled out building a bespoke example should the right enthusiast step forward with enough determination—and funding.

If you had the opportunity, would you commission Callum Designs to build this modern XJ220, or would you rather own the original legend?

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