Performance Review: Jaguar XK 120 Roadster - [1948]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Jaguar XK Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Jaguar XK 120 Roadster is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1948. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1948 Jaguar XK 120 SE FHC and the 1948 Ferrari 166 MM.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 1295 kgs (2854 lbs) this makes the Jaguar XK 120 Roadster in the same weight category as the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Jaguar XK shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp)

In terms of power the 3442cc 12V St6 engine produces 160 bhp (119 kW) @ 5000 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 195 lb-ft (264.3 Nm) @ 2500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 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 1986 Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 8v (148.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Jaguar XK.

The Jaguar XK has a Power to weight ratio of 123.5 bhp per ton and 150.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1948 XK competing with the 1986 Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 8v (148.5 bhp per ton) or the 2001 Jaguar X Type 3.0 V6 Sport (148.5 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 150.5 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 1985 Ford RS200 1.8T 16V (175.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Ford Taurus SHO 3.5 V6 Performance Pack (175.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 10.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 10.3 secs, this made the Jaguar XK 120 Roadster as fast as the 1980 Renault 18 1.6 Turbo (10.00 secs) the 1976 Triumph 2500 TC (10.00 secs) the 1966 Pontiac Tempest Le Mans Sprint (10.00 secs) the or the 1950 Ferrari 195 Inter (10.00 secs). This Jaguar XK 120 Roadster is also faster than the 1967 Pontiac Firebird Sprint 3.8L (10.10 secs) the 1966 Volvo 144 Grand Luxe 2.0 8v (10.10 secs) the 2019 Ford Ranger F-150 Raptor 2.0 (10.20 secs) the and the 1983 Alfa-Romeo Alfasud 1.5 Ti QV (10.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the XK and the 2011 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa VXR OPC Nurburgring 1.6Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Jaguar XK on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.45 secs @ 83.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2011 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa VXR OPC Nurburgring 1.6Turbo (16.37 secs), the 2002 BMW 5 Series 540i M-Sport E39 (16.37 secs), and the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (16.38 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1948 version of the Jaguar XK 120 Roadster has a maximum speed of 125mph.

Top Speed of the 1948 XK equals the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (136 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1948 Jaguar XK 120 Roadster then how about the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (136 mph), the 2011 Alfa-Romeo Mito 170 Quadrifoglio Verde (136 mph), or the 1992 Subaru Legacy 2.0 Turbo (136 mph).

Related Links:

1948 XK Rivals List.

A Brief History of Jaguar

Car Comparison