🔧 Jaguar XK Straight-Six Engine
The Jaguar XK engine, designed by William Heynes and Walter Hassan, debuted in the 1948 XK120 and went on to power every Jaguar sports car and saloon until 1992. Its 3.4L, 3.8L, and 4.2L variants all share the same fundamental twin-overhead-cam architecture — the first DOHC production car engine from a British manufacturer. The same block underlies the XK120, E-Type Series 1/2, and Mk2 saloon, making this one of the longest-running shared engine architectures in automotive history.
Engine
Technical Specifications
| Type | Naturally Aspirated DOHC Straight-Six |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 3,442 cc (3.4) / 3,781 cc (3.8) / 4,235 cc (4.2) |
| Horsepower | 160 hp (3.4L) / 220 hp (3.8L E-Type) / 265 hp (4.2L E-Type) |
| Torque | 256–380 Nm |
| Valvetrain | DOHC 12-valve |
| Carburettors | Triple SU HD6 or twin Stromberg CD150 |
| Block | Cast iron |
| Head | Aluminium alloy |
| Manufacturer | Jaguar Cars Ltd., Coventry, UK |
| Msrp | $2,200–$8,000 (used) |