Good lord! This 78-mile Jaguar XJR-15 is up for sale

It’s documented that the loudest sound ever recorded was the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa, which was estimated at 310 decibels and could be heard up to 3,000 miles away. Though, anyone who’s witnessed a Jaguar XJR-15’s 6.0-litre V12 rumble into life may profess otherwise.

In case you’re interested in testing that theory for yourself, an opportunity to own one has just appeared courtesy of RM Sotheby’s, which is selling a near showroom-fresh example - chassis number ‘008’ - with just seventy-eight miles on the clock. And remember: this car is older than Michael Bay’s Armageddon. Wowza.

Of the 50 units ever built, just 27 were homologated for road-legal use, while the others set about conquering the world’s racetracks. So they’re rare.

Another example sold for £1.45 million back in 2022, although that one had a mighty 1,362 miles on the clock when it changed hands. We strongly suspect this 78-miler will cost you... more. Lots more.

In exchange for your shillings, you’ll be getting the world’s first car to sport a carbon fibre body, and the follow-up to the hugely successful XJR-9 and XJR-12 prototypes; two former Le Mans winners, no less.

Oh, there’s also the small question of that engine, which produces 450bhp and 420lb ft of torque. It’s not a lot by modern standards, nor is its 3.9-second sprint to 62mph (inferior to a modern BMW M3) that impressive these days.

But... how many other cars can claim to match Krakatoa for sheer pandemonium?

Images: RM Sotheby's