"The V12 E-Type was at its best as a long-distance, high-speed tourer. There were few cars which could match its top speed and 150mph cruising ability, even amongst the exotica from Italy, and none at all the silence and smoothness of its engine." says Paul Skilleter, renowed Automotive writer about the Jaguar E-Type Series 3. The final incarnation of the iconic Jaguar E-Type, and as a result the most developed of them all, is a superb European cruiser, and this one stands head and shoulders above the rest.
The E-Type series III had the privilege to christen the brand new V12 engine from Jaguar in 1971. This superb SOHC 5.3L engine was developed after a prototype designed for Le Mans 24H. It was fed through a 4 carbs arrangement giving 272BHP at first launch. It will produce up to 700HP in racing versions during its 25 years production time and was always famed for its reliability. This all alloy new engine was not heavier than the six inline 4.2L it was replacing but was offering a lot more flexibility and torque not to mention a hundred more horse power. As such this wonderful engine was enabling the E type SIII to rejoin the pinnacle of the world top GT cars as its predecessor the first E 3.8L did in 1962. The E type Jaguar S III boasts top notch refinement due to its power steering and new manual gearbox perfectly complementing the qualities of the new V12 engine. The car still offers legendary comfort and roadholding but now with a much improved cockpit size due to the new and only long wheel base chassis.
BACKGROUND AND HISTORY:
The evolution of the iconic Jaguar E-Type culminated in what many consider to be a truly lovely driver’s car, equal parts sporting and luxurious. The challenge of updating what Enzo Ferrari called ‘the most beautiful car ever made’ was driven by demand from U.S. customers who loved the six-cylinder sports car but wanted more interior room and refinements like air conditioning. At the same time, Jaguar’s engine team were developing a more refined version of its V-12 engine that had been destined for Le Mans.
The firm’s technical director, William Heynes, pushed for the new engine to feature in an extensively redesigned E-type. The new car, the Series III, launched in 1971, boasting the world’s only mass-production V-12, producing 266 bhp—enough to propel the roadster to 146 mph with a 0–60 mph time of 6.4 seconds. The new car featured wider tyres, wider track, power steering as standard, and more powerful brakes. Options included a range of radios, seat belts, and wheels.
Jaguar ended the E-Type production in style in 1974.
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