For the 1989 season, Tom Walkinshaw realised that the TWR produced V12 Jaguar sports prototypes were lacking competitiveness, especially in short sprint events.

Tony Southgate designed a new chassis for the car which was compact and the evolution of the carbon fibre monocoque of the previous XJR-8/XJR-9.

The team of Jan Lammers and Patrick Tambay managed to finish sixth in the car's debut race.

The car faced reliabity issues throughout the year and was only able to secure a single victory in the 1990 season at Silverstone.

The car's career was short-lived and it was no longer eligible to compete in events due to the new rules implemented for the 1991 season.