TWR is making a comeback as a sports car manufacturer

Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) is arguably one of the most respected names in the performance motoring business. Founded in 1976 by touring car driver Tom Walkinshaw, the UK-based outfit helped engineer and develop some of the world's most formidable racing cars, including the Le Mans-winning Jaguar XJR-9. TWR also lent its considerable talents to the touring car world where it gave a competitive edge to machines such as the Rover Vitesse, Holden Commodore, Mazda RX-7 and the cult classic Volvo 850 Estate.

TWR graduated to the ranks of Formula 1 in 1996 when it purchased a 51% stake in the ailing Arrows team. A move met with mixed success, it ultimately lead to the firm's demise after dwindling financial resources eventually forced TWR into liquidation in 2002. 

Some 21 years after the fact the TWR name is making a comeback. Driven by Tom Walkinshaw’s son, Fergus, the company is being reborn as a constructor of bespoke high-performance automobiles that aim to push the envelope of performance engineering, while also working with existing OEMs to maximise the potential of their own products.

Let us forget that before it was forced to fold, TWR helped develop a slew of road cars including icons such as the Jaguar XJ220, Aston Martin DB7 and Renault Clio V6.

“It gives me a great amount of pride that the TWR name will live on for a new generation,” said 32-year-old Fergus Walkinshaw.

“High-performance engineering runs in the blood of the Walkinshaw family, and ever since the original TWR closed its doors I have longed to find a way to continue the family legacy. Through this new iteration of TWR we can not only celebrate the history and heritage of the original TWR, but also push the boundaries of our projects further than ever before.”

“This new generation of TWR is first and foremost an engineering company that will make cars, rather than a carmaker doing engineering. That’s an important distinction. We will make use of cutting-edge technology, combining new expertise with traditional craft to build world-class products that make a statement of what this new TWR is all about. We aim to build some truly impressive and innovative automobiles, unconstrained by the rule books and styling demands of OEMs.”

“We have scoured the performance and motorsport engineering worlds to assemble an incredibly talented technical team, including some members who were part of the original TWR, which adds to our depth of knowledge and expertise. It’s from this base TWR can push forward for a bright new future.”

Details of the first TWR project will be unveiled shortly, so watch this space.