Jaguar E-type V12 coupé review

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Jaguar E-type 5.3 V12 Road Test

Test date 18 November 1971 Price as tested £3,387

For Refined engine, power steering, handling, value

Against Cramped accommodation, poor heating and ventilation

Ten years ago the Jaguar E-Type almost exploded on the motoring scene and it was hailed by many, including Autocar, as a major breakthrough in the design of high performance vehicles for sale to the public. It fast became the ultimate and most coveted machine on the sports car market.

Since then it has been improved almost year by year, getting the 4.2-litre engine and all-synchromesh gearbox in 1964 and being stretched into a 2+2 coupé in 1966. This year, in time for a major launch at the New York show, the long-awaited V12 engine virtually replaced the famous XK in-line six.

Much has been written already about this fascinating new engine. It is the only V12 unit ever to go into volume production, and with extensive use of aluminium instead of cast iron, the assembled unit weighs surprisingly little more than the old six. The capacity is 5.4 litres, compared with 4.2 for the six, and peak power developed is 273bhp (DIN) at 5850rpm compared with 171 at 4500.

Readers who remember the 265bhp quoted for both the 3.8 and 4.2 E-Type engines should bear in mind that this was a very optimistic gross figure, which was seldom reached on production cars. The DIN output is measured with the engine in the as-installed condition, and it allows for a plus-or-minus 5 per cent production tolerance.