Jaguar E-Type

jaguar
E-type
Production period:	1961-1974
Class :	Sports car
Body versions :	Estate coupé , roadster , coupé
Engines:	Gasoline engines : 3.8–5.3 liters (198–203 kW)
Length:	4450-4780 mm
Width:	1660-1664 mm
Height:	1220-1270 mm
Wheelbase :	2438/2667 mm
Empty weight :	1250-1450 kg
Previous model	Jaguar XK 150
successor	Jaguar XJS

Series I: 1963 Roadster

3.8 liter six-cylinder

The Jaguar E-Type (in the USA: Jaguar XK-E ) was a sports car model from the English car manufacturer Jaguar . It was presented on March 15, 1961 at the Geneva Motor Show as a descendant of the successful Jaguar D-Type racing car . It was available as a two- and 2 + 2-seat coupé (Fixed-Head Coupé) and as a two-seat roadster (OTS or Open Two Seater ).

The six-cylinder in-line engine with 3781 cm³ and 265 bhp / 269 PS (197.6 kW) corresponded to that of the XK 150 S 3.8 liters. It drove the rear wheels via a four-speed gearbox. The E-Type reached a top speed of almost 240 km / h. In addition to its high performance, the design developed by Malcolm Sayer was particularly exciting. The E-Type was sold with great success, especially in the USA. The tubular steel frame under the bonnet held the engine and front suspension and was bolted to the bulkhead with the otherwise self-supporting all-steel body. Jaguar continued the path taken with the Jaguar D-Type.

New for the conservative British car industry was the rear double wishbone suspension on its own subframe with a trailing arm and two spring-damper units , with the drive shafts as upper wishbones. The design proved to be successful in terms of driving behavior, driving comfort and appearance and was used until 1996.

History of the E-Type

A first test model, called E1A , was ready to drive as early as 1958. Motorsport enthusiast Margaret Jennings has photos of the prototype that was scrapped shortly afterwards. Although the E-Type was intended to be a purely road vehicle, the following E2A prototype hit the racetrack in 1960 when American sports driver and industrialist Briggs Cunningham found out about the trials at Jaguar and insisted on getting one. The British specialist Abbey Panels was involved in the development of the body and supplied various sheet metal parts, including the bonnet.

Jaguar E-Type 3.8 liters

The attraction of the E-Type lay in its performance, its charisma and its low price. The 3.8-liter in-line six-cylinder (3781 cm³) has an output of 269 hp (197.6 kW) at 5500 rpm and a max. Torque of 353 Nm at 4000 rpm. The E-Type accelerates to 100 km / h in approx. 7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 241 km / h. The brakes , which were initially sensitive to fading, were criticized . The interior was also quite cramped. The early flat-floor designs are only appreciated by purists. The stay became much more pleasant after the floor panels in the footwell had been lowered a little and the adjustment options for the seat shells had been improved through a recess in the sheet metal.

Jaguar E-Type 4.2 liters

Rear axle: The independent suspension with subframe , four spring-damper units , a trailing arm and two wishbones per wheel (one of which was the drive shaft), as well as internal disc brakes, were unconventional, but ensured good handling.

4.2 E-Type side view

4.2 E-Type rear view

In 1964, the 3.8-liter in-line six-cylinder engine was bored out to 4.2 liters (4235 cm³), giving it a maximum torque of 384 Nm at 4000 rpm with the same engine output (269 hp / 197.6 kW at 5400 / min). At the same time, a fully synchronized four-speed manual transmission developed by Jaguar itself was used instead of the Moss box with its unsynchronized first gear and long shift travel. Jaguar drivers benefited in particular from the improvement in the weakly padded seats.

In 1966 the 2 + 2 was added, a coupé with a longer wheelbase and two backup seats in the rear. If the seat back is folded forward, the result is a spacious luggage rack that is unrestrictedly visible through the large rear window. A three-speed automatic transmission from BorgWarner was optionally available for the 2 + 2 .

The American safety and environmental regulations put forward in competition with the Corvette made significant modifications to the E-Type necessary. The E-Type Series II appeared in 1968 with many innovations. The now missing headlight covers hit the style of the aerodynamic construction hard, which at that time was seen as a style break at Jaguar (introduced a year earlier in the subsequently so-called Series 1½), with the headlights from Series 2 also being moved further forward had to what was called a disaster in contemporary literature and is still reflected in the considerable difference in value in the lovers' market today. There were also rocker switches on the dashboard, a larger radiator opening, larger indicator and taillight units now mounted below the bumper and a flatter windshield on the 2 + 2.

Jaguar E-Type V12

1967 Jaguar E-Type 2 + 2 series "1 1/2"

Jaguar E-Type V12 (1972)

In 1971 the E-Type received a newly developed 5.3-liter (5343 cm³) V12 engine with an output of 276 hp (203 kW) at 5850 rpm and a maximum torque of 412 Nm at 3600 rpm. With this V12 engine, the predecessor of which went back to 1935, Jaguar presented the first high-volume twelve-cylinder with a light alloy block and flat Heron cylinder heads with combustion chambers in the piston crown. However, the combustion chambers were changed in 1981, after the end of production of the E-Type, in accordance with the patented Fireball swirl chamber design by the Swiss designer and ex-racing driver Michael May , the so-called May head , which reduced consumption by around three liters / 100 km . This version with the additional designation HE / High Efficiency was installed in the last 12-cylinder sedans and coupés from Jaguar, XJ and XJ-S , and in the Daimler Double Six.

The performance of the E-Type, which had previously been reduced due to American legal requirements, was compensated for by the V12 engine, but overall the car was no longer as aggressive and agile as it was at the beginning - the roadster now had the long wheelbase of the 2 + 2, the short coupe was no longer available. Many enthusiasts of the original version considered the current model to be “too soft”, and the barred radiator grille took away some of the car's original aggressiveness. The Series III had wider fenders due to the larger track width and the slightly wider tires, but otherwise the same structure. The disc brakes were now ventilated from the inside at the front. The thirsty E-Type V12 had a hard time in the market because the oil crisis drove up gasoline prices during its short era .

Production of the E-Type ended in September 1974, but this was not announced until 1975. 15,508 units with a 3.8-liter engine, 41,734 with a 4.2-liter and 15,293 V12 models were built.

Jaguar E-Type Lightweight (1963)

The Jaguar E-Type Lightweight in the standard version from 1963

Peter Lindner's "Low-Drag-E-Type" from 1964 (recorded 1984)

Construction and performance

In the winter of 1962/63, Jaguar designed a lighter version of the E-Type especially for racing, which was named Lightweight . It differed considerably from the production version of the E-Type, both externally and in terms of technology. Unlike the production vehicles, the Lightweight's monocoque was made of sheet aluminum and parts of the frame and suspension were reinforced. The rear subframe was taken over from the Jaguar Mark X for better torsional rigidity , the front brake calipers came from the Jaguar Mark IX .

The car's engine has also been redesigned. While the engine block of the 3.8 liter six-cylinder engine of the series version was made of gray cast iron , the block of the lightweight models was made of aluminum. The concept of the cylinder head was based on a construction used in the Jaguar D-Type from 1955; for the Lightweight, however, it had been revised in the area of ​​the exhaust valves. The compression has been increased to 9.5: 1. These modifications increased the engine output to around 320 hp (235 kW).

The Lightweight's body was also largely made of aluminum. Stylistically, it corresponded approximately to that of the E-Type Roadster and was equipped with a tight hardtop roof. The lightweight weighed 920 kg empty. The Lindner Lightweight reached a top speed of 259 km / h in 1964.

In 1963 a total of twelve copies of the Lightweight were built, which were largely identical in construction. Customers included the American racing driver Briggs Cunningham , who bought a total of three lightweight vehicles, the German Jaguar importer and racing driver Peter Lindner , Kjell Qvale and John Coombs , who initiated the lightweight project at the end of 1962.

The Lindner lightweight

Peter Lindner 1963 on the Nürburgring

The lightweight from Lindner / Nöcker in the 1964 "low drag" version during a pit stop in 1964

The Lightweight with the chassis number S850662, which was delivered to Peter Lindner in May 1963, occupies a special position within the twelve Lightweight vehicles. The car initially corresponded technically and externally to the other Lightweight models, but had an engine output of 344 hp (253 kW) in view of the compression ratio increased to 10.1: 1. Lindner used the car in numerous sports car races in 1963.

In the winter of 1963/64, Lindner had its Lightweight largely revised by Jaguar. The car received numerous new parts, including a high-speed transmission. The body was also redesigned for 1964. Instead of the conventional hardtop structure, Lindner's car was given a streamlined body with a hatchback designed by Jaguar stylist Malcolm Sayer. Lindner's revised lightweight is often referred to as the "Low-Drag-E-Type" in the British motor press, alluding to its reduced air resistance.

The low drag turned out to be very fast but failed to achieve success in races. Lindner's Low-Drag-E-Type was completely destroyed in an accident in 1964.

At least one roadworthy example in the style of Lindner's low-drag E-Type has existed since the 1970s. Whether it is a reconstruction of the vehicle that was destroyed in 1964 or a replica has not been clarified beyond any doubt. Some sources assume that this vehicle is based on the original chassis of the Lindner car. According to a German source, however, the British Jaguar specialist Lynx built a vehicle in the 1970s “using an existing aluminum monocoque” and numerous new parts that “almost exactly corresponds” to Lindner's original from 1964. This car is said to have been exhibited for several years in the Rosso Bianco Collection in Aschaffenburg , where the wreck of the original vehicle is said to have been located. This corresponds to a message from 2011, according to which Lindner's wreck was only supposed to have been restored at great expense at the beginning of the 21st century.

Races

The E-Type Lightweight was used in numerous long-distance races between 1963 and 1966. He drove u. a. in Sebring and several times at the 24 Hours of Le Mans . The most famous lightweight pilots included Briggs Cunningham, Jackie Stewart and Peter Lindner.

The cars turned out to be very fast, but achieved few successes. Peter Lindner, for example, led his Lightweight (in the first version) in the first lap of the 1000 km race on the Nürburgring in 1963 , but retired after a technical defect. Only in the 12-hour race in Reims in 1964 did a lightweight driver achieve a class victory: Dick Protheroe crossed the finish line in eighth overall and won the GT class over three liters. At the 1000 km race in Paris , Protheroe finished seventh with John Coundley and won his class again.

Lindner had a fatal accident on October 11, 1964 with his low-drag E-Type in Montlhéry, France, near Paris. His car, which was unique in this form, was completely destroyed.

Jaguar E-Type Lightweight (2014)

The lightweight series from 1963 was designed as a limited edition of 18 copies. However, for unknown reasons, production was stopped after the first twelve vehicles. Around fifty years later, Jaguar resumed production in 2014. The missing six Lightweights were built according to the original construction plans from 1963. You get the chassis numbers 13 to 18.

Jaguar E-Type as a classic car

The Jaguar E-Type is a sought-after classic car today, with the highest prices being achieved by the roadsters of the first series, the 2 + 2 coupés of series II and III being the cheapest. As a rule, roadsters are half more expensive than comparable coupés.

In general, the early versions with the headlight covers are the most wanted, closely followed by the roadsters with 12-cylinder engines. For all later models from the 1.5 series, retrofittable headlight covers have been available as "Design Restoration Kit" since 1999.

Jaguar E-Type Zero

In 2018 it became known that Jaguar wanted to convert the E-Type to battery operation. The aim was to convert the old E-Type to battery operation and to produce a new series for battery operation. Based on the Jaguar I-Pace , the first deliveries should take place in 2020. With a 40 kWh battery and 270 km range at 220 kW (299 PS), an acceleration from 0 to 100 in 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 240 km / h should be achieved.

In November 2019 it was announced that Jaguar is pausing plans for the E-Type Zero indefinitely without giving any reason.

Prizes and awards

The Jaguar E-Type has received several awards as a classic car. Among other things, the British Institution of Mechanical Engineers presented the model with the Engineering Heritage Award in 2011 as the first automobile. In 2015, an international jury at the "Classic & Sports Car - The London Show" trade fair awarded the E-Type the title of best British car of all time. In 2017 he received the German Motor Klassik Award for the second time; In the same year, an international jury from the German magazine Auto Bild Klassik voted the Jaguar E-Type the most beautiful car of all time.

Replicas

Numerous companies in Great Britain and the USA offered and still offer replicas of the E-Type. Some of them like Lynx made complete vehicles, others like Triple C made kits .

photos

• 

  E-Type with the hood open

• 

  E-Type with the hood open, view of the 4.2-liter six-cylinder

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  E-Type with the hood open

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  E-type cockpit

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  E-Type dashboard

• 

  E-Type at the "Beuel Classics" classic car meeting

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  E-Type S1 Coupe, built in 1965

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  Logo of an E-Type (Series 3), built in 1972, with a 5.3 ltr. Twelve-cylinder engine

literature

• Glen Smale: Jaguar E-type, portrait of a design icon , Heel Verlag, Königswinter 2008, ISBN 978-3-86852-027-9 .
• Halwart Schrader: Jaguar type compass - passenger cars since 1931 , Motorbuch-Verlag, Stuttgart 2001, ISBN 3-613-02106-4 .
• Heiner Stertkamp: Jaguar - The complete chronicle from 1922 to today , 2nd edition, Heel-Verlag, Königswinter 2006, ISBN 3-89880-337-6 .
• Jaguar Heritage Magazine No. 21 - the documentation provided in the official Jaguar magazine about the greeting of the "Wahl Lights".
• Missing Link . Report on the Jaguar XKSS. In: Oldtimer Market . No. August 8 , 2006, ISSN  0939-9704 .
• Marco Guidetti: Jaguar . 1st edition, Motorbuch-Verlag, Stuttgart 2012, ISBN 978-3-613-03393-1 .

Web links

Commons : Jaguar E-Type  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• Fritz B. Busch : Jaguar E Type - "Pure Whiskey" or "The Flounder". automuseum-busch.de, accessed on May 2, 2013 . 

Individual evidence

1. ↑ http://www.google.com/patents/US4121544
2. ↑ ^{a b c d} Michael Riedner: Performance society. The competition versions of the Jaguar E-Type . In: Motor Classic Special No. 2 "everything about Jaguar E-Type" . 1986, ISSN  0177-8862 , p. 40-41 .
3. ↑ Presentation of the restored vehicle with racing and restoration history on the website www.extravaganzi.com (accessed on June 1, 2011).
4. ↑ FASZ / FAZ.net / Tom Debus August 24, 2014: Brand new and yet yesterday
5. ↑ How Jaguar revived 50-year-old E-Type. Die Welt, May 16, 2014, accessed on May 21, 2014 . 
6. ↑ Jaguar: E-Type Zero retro electric car goes into series production
7. ↑ Jaguar pauses plans for the E-Type Zero retro electric car
8. ↑ [1] (accessed November 23, 2017).
9. ↑ [2] (accessed November 23, 2017).
10. ↑ [3] (accessed November 23, 2017).
11. ↑ Auto Bild Klassik issue 12/2017, p. 42.