Performance Review: Jaguar XK 120 DHC - [1953]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Jaguar XK Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Jaguar XK 120 DHC is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1953. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1954 Jaguar D Type 3.4L and the 1953 Alfa-Romeo Disco Volante 1900 Touring Coupe.This particular Jaguar XK 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 XK 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 XK's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet 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 1397 kgs (3079 lbs) this makes the Jaguar XK 120 DHC in the same weight category as the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 or the give or take 50kg.

The Jaguar XK shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 3442cc 12V St6 engine produces 190 bhp (141 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 210 lb-ft (284.7 Nm) @ 2500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 lb-ft) or the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (221 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2014 Audi A7 3.0 TDI Sportback Competition Quattro (161.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Jaguar XK.

The Jaguar XK has a Power to weight ratio of 136.0 bhp per ton and 150.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1953 XK competing with the 2014 Audi A7 3.0 TDI Sportback Competition Quattro (161.0 bhp per ton) or the 1987 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (161.0 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 XK generating around 150.3 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 1964 Mercedes 600 W-100 (175.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 1996 BMW 3 Series M3 Evolution E36 (175.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.8 secs, this made the Jaguar XK 120 DHC as fast as the 2001 Alfa-Romeo 147 TS Selespeed (9.50 secs) the 1993 Rover 200 216 GTi Coupe (9.50 secs) the 1992 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit II 6.8 V8 (9.50 secs) the or the 1978 Mazda RX7 SA22C (9.50 secs). This Jaguar XK 120 DHC is also faster than the 2009 Citroen DS3 1.6 HDi 110 (9.60 secs) the 2008 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Zetec S (9.60 secs) the 2003 Skoda Fabia 1.9 vRS 130bhp (9.60 secs) the and the 1993 Bentley Brooklands 4d (9.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the XK and the 1980 Audi Quattro UR-Quattro

When talking about the performance of the Jaguar XK on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.91 secs @ 86.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1980 Audi Quattro UR-Quattro (15.85 secs), the 2005 Toyota Corolla TS Compressor 2.0L (15.85 secs), and the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Roadster (15.85 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1953 version of the Jaguar XK 120 DHC has a maximum speed of 120mph.

Top Speed of the 1953 XK equals the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (131 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1953 Jaguar XK 120 DHC then how about the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (131 mph), the 2011 Abarth 500 Essessee 1.4 Turbo (131 mph), or the 2011 Abarth 500C Essesse 1.4 Turbo (131 mph).

Related Links:

1953 XK Rivals List.

A Brief History of Jaguar

Car Comparison