Stop the press: Ian Callum has reimagined the Jaguar XJ220 supercar

Might be legs in this whole ‘put modern eyes on old cars’ business. Ian Callum’s design consultancy – handily titled Callum Designs – has revealed its latest creation based on something called ‘XJ220’.

It’s the latest Callum ‘portfolio project’, meant as a design study showcasing what Ian Callum’s design consultancy is capable of. We already know what Callum is capable of – like here, here and also very much here – and once again... yep, it's another stunner.

“A contemporary interpretation of one of the most iconic supercars ever made,” said Callum. “This concept preserves the unmistakable silhouette of the original while redefining every surface, detail and proportion through a modern lens.”

So yes, there’s the same basic outline of Jaguar’s V6-engined speed machine, but with shorter, tighter overhangs to remove the old timer’s flab, and an entirely new rear end that looks much sharper.

We haven’t been shown the front, so we cannot confirm whether Callum has kept the pop-ups of the original, or its ‘you want me to do what’?’ expression, but there’s a new lower light bar at least. Plus aero-honed wheels, too.

“The Callum Portfolio XJ220 preserves the spirit of the original, reinterpreted with a sharper rear stance and refined contemporary detailing,” Callum said. “Honouring the past, not constrained by it.”

Which fits the XJ220’s vibe, anyway. Even before it was launched it was subject to changes from the original spec: you all know it was supposed to arrive with a fat 530bhp V12, but made do with a V6. That it wanted to hit 220mph, and managed 217.1mph, holding the record for the fastest production car. Right up until something called ‘McLaren F1’ gatecrashed the party.

“Keep and eye out for more on this Callum project,” we’re told. We’ll… pop both of them open.