The New Jaguar 12-Cyl Engine

A new Jaguar engine, incorporating 12 cylinders in 60 deg Vee formation and using aluminum for most of its construction, was announced in conjunction with a new “E”-type, Series “3” sports car in March 1971.

This paper is intended to describe this engine and to discuss some of the more interesting design features. The background history of the previous XK engine is presented, together with the reasons for designing the new engine. The design features single camshafts per cylinder bank, with valves in line in a flat combustion chamber, together with a new Lucas transistorized ignition system. A technical specification, together with relevant illustrations, is contained in the Appendixes.