TWR to Kick-start its New Era With Global Design Superstars, and a Jaguar
Newbury, Berkshire, UK – Monday 13th November, 2023: TWR will ensure that its first project car is an eye-catching one by partnering with leading automotive stylists Magnus Walker and Khyzyl Saleem. Both will play key roles in crafting TWR’s first offering, which will be based on the classic Jaguar XJS.
The TWR name has returned to the automotive engineering world after an absence of two decades thanks to Tom Walkinshaw’s son Fergus establishing a company that aims to draw on the same spirit, drive and innovation that helped make the original TWR a global automotive icon.
TWR made its name with grit, determination, and by having the perfect people where it counted. Without the right crew behind its projects, it wouldn’t have been the trailblazer it became. The next generation of TWR believes precisely the same thing: People make all the difference.
The modern iteration of TWR will also seek to pay homage to the history and prestige of the original company, and that is why the first project will be based around something indelibly linked to the TWR name: The Jaguar XJS. Produced between 1975 and 1996, the XJS was originally designed by the great Malcolm Sayer, but will now be reimagined and brought into the 21st century by TWR’s world-class engineering team, and chiefly its two ace designers.
Internationally renowned designer, car collector and self-confessed petrolhead Magnus Walker has joined TWR as Design Consultant, and brings with him a flair few others can match. Having made his name in fashion design, Walker quickly rose to fame in the automotive world thanks to his collection of classic Porsches – but his love for all things four-wheeled extends well beyond just the Stuttgart marque.
Walker’s style is well and truly his own, which is why TWR approached him to work on bringing this next generation of the company to life. Walker, like TWR, is a true one off, and having his input is invaluable. He’s been approached by plenty of people in the past wanting him to lend his considerable talents to their projects, but none quite fitted like this one. He has spent time at the TWR facility and he’s been involved with every step of the project so far: from design, to suppliers, to powertrain, and he’s even advised on what the car needs to feel like when it’s out on the road.
Alongside Walker, digital design sensation Khyzyl Saleem has been working as Vehicle Designer for TWR. With his digital creations quickly garnering global recognition, Saleem enjoyed a successful stint in the video games industry before returning to his first love, the automotive world. Saleem is arguably most famous for his social media presence, with his Instagram channel boasting one million followers. His constant stream of reimaginations for supercars and modified icons becoming a shop window for what happens when a truly brilliant mind is given the space to create anything they want. He also founded his own company LTO – Live To Offend – which creates bespoke body kits for some of the world’s most famous cars.
Saleem has previously worked on project cars with automotive influencers and racing drivers such as the late Ken Block, Travis Pastrana and more to give their cars a little something that others simply don’t have.
It is this blend of world-class talent that will ensure TWR’s reimagining of the Jaguar XJS makes a statement about the level of ambition the new company has.
Magnus Walker says: “I was approached by TWR to do something I actually want to do: to build on the XJS. The original TWR put Jaguar on the map in the late ’70s, ’80s, and into the ’90s. TWR was a racing division of Jaguar and did so much more. TWR explained the project, which was just what I was looking to do, and I was in. The stars aligned perfectly.”
“I’ve been looking to do something very, very similar myself. I’ve owned Jaguars before, but the car I HAD never owned was an XJS. I remember talking to [automotive designer] Ian Callum about how I wanted to do an outlaw version of an XJS, kind of similar to what Jaguar Classic did with [Iron Maiden drummer] Nicko McBrain’s XJC. The XJS is a car that’s sort of misunderstood. I wanted to make my mark on it.
“Our XJS has to be drivable in real world situations. From idle to throttle transition, when it’s stuck on the freeway in bumper-to-bumper traffic. I’m about drivability, usability, practicality. If I am involved, I’m involved all the way – 110%. I am excited to be part of this experience, build, rebirth, resurrection, this next generation.”
Khyzyl Saleem says: “Both TWR and Magnus thought I was the perfect guy to design the car, which is a pretty special feeling. TWR approached him, and he was very specific in who he wanted to work on it: me. Which is mindblowing – I’ve been a huge admirer of his for a long time. Obviously, I already knew about TWR – it comes with a remarkable heritage. It’s made some crazy race and road cars. There’s an incredible story there, and to be a part of that, to help bring it into a new era, is a very exciting prospect. I’m excited to carry on that legacy, to bring TWR’s next generation to a new market and make it relevant to them. It’s amazing to be working with such skilled people on a project like this. Especially with a car like the XJS as a starting point.”
“It’s the first project I’ve been involved in where I’m not just designing a bodykit, but creating a fully functioning, performance-driven car. It’s going from what I’m known for, the digital space, and adding real credibility to my work. I’m so lucky to be working with fantastic people in engineering, aero, you name it. It’s a new era for me. I get to do what I always dreamed of doing.”
“I’m designing something pretty badass and helping to create a truly relevant TWR for the 21st century. The XJS has been seen as sort of unloved, a difficult second album to the E-Type. There’s an obvious history with it and TWR, and to have the chance to give it a new life is special. Just wait until you see what we’re doing with it. You’ll love it.”
Further details of TWR’s project with the Jaguar XJS will be unveiled in early 2024.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Contacts:
TWR Press Office
E: press@twrperformance.co.uk
T: +44 (0) 20 3955 6568 (London, UK)
W: www.twrperformance.co.uk
About TWR
Established in 2020 by Tom Walkinshaw’s son, Fergus Walkinshaw, alongside his business partner John Kane, TWR aims to stretch the famous name into the modern automotive world. While a separate entity to the original Tom Walkinshaw Racing, the new company will share much of the DNA and spirit that helped the original TWR brand to become a world leader in performance and motorsport engineering.
From its base in Newbury, Berkshire, TWR will make its name as a constructor of bespoke automobiles for a whole new generation, seeking to protect and perfect the analogue driving experience with its own products, whilst also working with class-leading manufacturers to help maximise the potential of their own offerings.
About Magnus Walker
Magnus Walker is one of the best known petrolheads in the world. His distinctive style, and seemingly endless creativity has garnered him global respect. Above all else, though, is his passion. When Magnus Walker sets his mind to making something, you know it’ll be something truly special.
Walker moved to the US from Sheffield in 1986, swiftly pouring his talent into his clothing line, Serious, which outfitted everyone from Alice Cooper to Madonna. The popularity of his designs allowed him to indulge another passion: real estate. After several timely building acquisitions in LA’s Downtown led him into the commercial film business, he also started amassing an enviable collection of Porsches. In 2012 the Urban Outlaw film made its debut. Telling the story of Walker and his race-inspired road-going Porsche builds, it made him an overnight star in the automotive world.
His collection has since evolved – where once it was mostly made up of a single marque, today it features vehicles from brands located all over the world.
Known for his distinctive dreadlocks and epic beard, Magnus Walker’s style has been wrought from decades working in several of the most creative industries on the planet, which is why we approached him to work with us on bringing the next generation of TWR to life.
He is familiar with TWR’s stellar past, and knows the legacy the next generation has to live
up to. Our collaboration will mark the first time Walker has worked in an official capacity with a vehicle manufacturer.
An iconic marque, an iconic man… a combination that can only lead to great things.
About Khyzyl Saleem
If you’ve been anywhere near the internet, you’ll know Khyzyl Saleem’s work. A petrolhead from a young age, he got into photoshop, and then 3D modelling, which resulted in global acclaim for his myriad creations. His work took him to the world of video games, where he worked for Electronic Arts on various titles. In his free time, Khyzyl created his own takes on supercars, modified icons, and did whatever took his fancy in the virtual world. As a result of his tinkering, his Instagram account became a shop window for what happens when a truly brilliant mind is given the space to create anything they want, and it blew up. Soon enough everything he created became newsworthy.
At the same time, Khyzyl set up LTO – Live To Offend. There was demand for Khyzyl’s work to make the leap from the virtual world to reality, and he was more than willing to make that happen, and so LTO was formed to create body kits for some of the world’s most iconic cars.
You’ll likely have seen LTO’s work at events all over the globe, notably Las Vegas’ SEMA show where Khyzyl’s creations draw huge crowds. Such is the impact of his work, that Khyzyl’s been called upon by the likes of the late Ken Block, Travis Pastrana, and more to give their cars a little something that others simply don’t have.
Though he’s been responsible for plenty of bodykits and renders over the years, before working with TWR Khyzyl hadn’t turned his skill to a whole car. This will be his first full-on design – every detail has come about as a result of his seemingly limitless creativity, of course with input from Walker.
With Walker and Khyzyl on board, it’s clear to see that TWR is taking the next generation seriously: working with two of the greatest minds of the modern automotive era.
