Re: Yet another XK8 sighting report

[Ned Blagojevic <nbx@ansto.gov.au>]

At 10:57 15/02/97 -0500, you wrote:
>Gunnar Helliesen wrote:
>> 
>> By the way, I just read that Mercedes management has recently approved
>> the development of a new V12 engine to replace the one used today.
>> 
>> Proves your point rather nicely.
>> 
>> Gunnar
>
>> >If V12 is such a problem why do BMW and Merc have such engines.  Because
>> >they are the ultimate power plants for the top of the range cars they
>> >produce, that is why. Jag also HAS a V12 but they prefer to get rid of it,
>> >where is the logic in this?
>
>Is the point that Jag could spend the money and develop a new,more
>efficient V 12. Sure they could, and it is possible that they will.

IMHO it is much more cost efficient to modify and develop the existing V12
then switch to another completely different configuration, unless Ford has
provided V8 blue prints for the Jag design team.  Do we now have Ford
powered Jags (Chevy was the engine choice among Jag lovers ;-) ?

>It remains a fact that V 12 sales were only a very small part of Jag's
>worldwide sales, and the company must sell cars to generate
>profits,improve their products and stay in business. There are a lot of
>Mercedes in my area, but only one in 15 of the Sl models is a V12.
>Jag sold many more XJ S when they offered the AJ 6 engine.

"Worldwide" should read USA and Canada.  The USA market is probably the
largest of all, and most important I would guess.  I think that Ford
marketing people decided that USA market likes and trusts V8s much more then
"exotic"and expensive V12 engines, and therefore, it is more likely to sell.
V8 lovers are everywhere. Remember discussions we had on this list:
a. If you want cheap transport,
b. more reliable motor,
c. easy to fix ....
drop in a V8.

 
>As for legendary Jaguar engines, I believe that most of Jag's legend is
>built on their XK series engines from the 120 to the C and D types and
>the E type.

True, the six was probably the most advanced at the time in the street going
car.  

>Most of the V 12 racing was by independants with lots of
>modifications. I was really sorry not to see the XJ 13 raced by the
>factory, I think it had lots of promise in it's time.
>Regards, Vic
>

All sports car racing is done with highly modified engines.  V12 remains to
be the most desired engine of all time.  Look at Italian (super) sport cars,
Mercs and BMWs, they all use V12s for the most expensive models in their
ranges. I see no reason to get rid of the V12 option, at least as a top of
the line and racing option. 

Ned

'61Mk2

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