Matt Watson and the carwow team bring together two radically different interpretations of high-performance grand touring for a series of drag races on a runway: the legendary Porsche Carrera GT and the TWR Supercat, a heavily reworked, prototype-based evolution of the Jaguar XJS.
The Carrera GT remains one of Porsche’s most celebrated analog supercars, powered by a hand-built 5.7-liter naturally aspirated V10 producing 612 horsepower and 590 Nm of torque. Its engine drives the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission, while its relatively lightweight 1,380-kg construction makes it particularly sensitive to throttle application and clutch technique.
Opposite it is the TWR Supercat, a radically transformed machine that retains ties to Jaguar’s heritage while incorporating extensive bespoke engineering. TWR plans to build just 88 examples as a tribute to its motorsport history with Jaguar, including its 1988 Le Mans victory. The Supercat combines a supercharged V12 rated at 660 horsepower with a body and chassis substantially reworked from the original XJS architecture. Carbon-fiber bodywork and functional aerodynamics give the prototype a distinctive retro-futuristic appearance, while its long-legged GT character is intended to balance high-speed touring with track capability.
With two very different performance philosophies going head-to-head, the final outcome is anything but predictable. Can the Porsche Carrera GT’s lightweight construction, high-revving V10 and precise manual transmission overcome the TWR Supercat’s supercharged V12 and formidable power delivery? Or will the radically engineered Jaguar XJS-based prototype prove too much for Porsche’s legendary analog supercar?
There is only one way to find out. Check out the full drag-race video below to see which machine ultimately takes the honors in this extraordinary head-to-head showdown.
Source: carwow
