Performance Review: Jaguar D Type 3.4L - [1954]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Jaguar D Type Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Jaguar D Type 3.4L is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1954. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1955 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series 1 and the 1954 Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing Coupe.This particular Jaguar D Type has a 3442cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The D Type shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the D Type's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 864 kgs (1904 lbs) this makes the Jaguar D Type 3.4L in the same weight category as the 2011 Lotus Elise Club Racer or the give or take 50kg.

The Jaguar D Type shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 3442cc 12V St6 engine produces 250 bhp (186 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (266 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 242 lb-ft (328.1 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (267 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Jaguar D Type you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2019 BMW 8 Series M8 Competition Coupe 4.4 V8 Turbo F92 (314.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Jaguar D Type.

The Jaguar D Type has a Power to weight ratio of 289.3 bhp per ton and 280.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1954 D Type competing with the 2019 BMW 8 Series M8 Competition Coupe 4.4 V8 Turbo F92 (314.2 bhp per ton) or the 2020 Mercedes GT AMG 4.0 V8 Bi Turbo (314.1 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Jaguar D Type generating around 280.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2017 Mercedes S Class 63 AMG Saloon (304.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 1998 Aston-Martin Vantage 600 (304.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.9 secs, this made the Jaguar D Type 3.4L as fast as the 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo ALL4 (4.70 secs) the 2020 BMW X4 M40d 3.0 Turbo (4.70 secs) the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo AWD (4.70 secs) the or the 2020 KIA Stinger GT2 3.3 V6 Turbo (4.70 secs). This Jaguar D Type 3.4L is also faster than the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (4.80 secs) the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (4.80 secs) the 2018 Rolls-Royce Cullinan 6.7 V12 Turbo (4.80 secs) the and the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 392 (4.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the D Type and the 2008 Maserati GranTurismo S 4.6 V8

When talking about the performance of the Jaguar D Type on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.5 secs @ 109.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Maserati GranTurismo S 4.6 V8 (12.44 secs), the 1966 Pontiac GTO 6.4L V8 (12.44 secs), and the 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS 3.3 V12 (12.44 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1954 version of the Jaguar D Type 3.4L has a maximum speed of 162mph.

Top Speed of the 1954 D Type equals the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 5.2 V8 (173 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1954 Jaguar D Type 3.4L then how about the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 5.2 V8 (173 mph), the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R 5.2 V8 (173 mph), or the 2014 Porsche Boxster GTS PDK (173 mph).

Related Links:

1954 D Type Rivals List.

A Brief History of Jaguar

Car Comparison