THE JAGUAR MARK X

Press, Volume C, Issue 29643, 13 October 1961, Page 11

THE JAGUAR MARK X

ESTERDAY Jaguar Cars, Ltd., announced an entirely new five seater to be known as the Mark X. It will replace the present Mark XI model, and will -join the existing range of Mark II saloons and “E” type grand touring cars. The new model, says Jaguar, l td., has been conceived as a five-seater capable of transporting the occupants and their luggage at high speed and in the maximum of comfort and silence. The all steel, four-door body is of monocoque construction and has no chassis. All four doors are hinged at their forward ends and the bonnet is also forward opening. Interior The interior of the car is luxuriously appointed. Lavish use is made of high grade leather and deep carpeting, while aU interior wooden trim is finished in polished walnut. Centre folding armrests are provided for both front and rear passengers, and the re. chning-type front seats have a wide range of adjustment. The backs of the squabs each incorporate a flush-fitting polished walnut picnic table which, when opened, reveals

a vanity mirror. Large ash-1 trays are fitted above the, tables. A comprehensive range of instruments is provided on the instrument panel and a row of clearly labelled switches controlling the elec, trical equipment is set in a polished walnut panel. The revolution counter and speedometer are set in front of the driver and the other instruments for oil pressure, water temperature, the fuel gauge and the ammeter are arranged over the switches. All switches and instruments are illuminated at night by a two-position switch. The passenger side of the facia incorporates a glove box fitted with an interior light and a locking lid. Beneath the panel is a shelf running the full width of the car and there is a separate fitting for a pull-out ashtray. The driver enjoys good visibility through a deep curved windscreen, and thin screen pillars and prominent front wings make driving easier. Flashing indicators are controlled by a stalk on tl.e steering column, which also operates a headlight flashing mechanism. Four headlamps provide a spread of light which allows the car’s speed to be used

in safety and the windscreen is kept clear by two speed wipers and an electrically operated windscreen washer. A map reading lamp and courtesy lights are provided. Heating A new heating system and demisting system was especially designed for the X. The equipment is designed to deliver a large volume of air through a delivery system which provides separate controls for each side of the vehicle, in addition to 'an individual supply to the rear compartment. Simplicity of operation is provided by a system of vacuum servos which control the water valves, heater flaps, and air intake vents. The system is controlled by three push buttons and a two-speed switch for the twin centrifugal blowers.

Disc Brakes The Mark X has been placed well up in its field by the adoption of all inpendent suspension and disc brakes all round. The suspension is softer than if a live axle were fitted and gives a better ride with very good handling. The rear suspension is by twin coil springs enclosing telescopic hydraulic dampers, and these are mounted on each side of the differential casing. The whole assembly is carried in a steel subframe, which is easily detached from the body structure. The sub-frame is mounted in rubber blocks, and this is claimed to result in insulation of the whole assembly and the elimination of all transmission roughness and noise. The front suspension is of new design employing semitrailing forged steel wishbones with coil springs enclosing telescopic shock absorbers. Power Steering The steering is of the recirculating ball type and is power assisted by a hydraulic system which is integral with the steering unit itself. Hydraulic pressure is provided by a rotary pump driven off the rear end of the dynamo. Included in the circuit between the pump and steering box are an oil reservoir and cooler. The degree of assistance provided by the system ensures that even the most

complicated manouevres involve no physical effort on the part of the driver. The makers claim that the system also provides'a degree of road “feel” comparing favourably with the best of unassisted systems, and con. sequently the dead feeling common to many power assisted steering systems is completely absent. The makers quote acceleration times, from a standing start, of 0-30 m.p.h. in four seconds, 0-60 in 10.2 seconds, and 0-100 in 29.2 seconds Maximum speed is given as 120 mp.h.; the time for the standing quarter mile as 17.2 seconds, and the average fuel consumption as 16 to 20 miles a gallon. The engine is the well known six cylinder twin overhead camshaft XK ‘S’ type, the same as that fitted in the Jaguar “E” type. It produces 265 b.h.p. at 5500

r.pjn. A choice of transmission is offered between a four-speed box with central gear change, with or without overdrive, or a fully automatic transmission with an intermediate speed hold. Disc brakes are fitted all round, mounted outboard in the front and inboard at the rear. There are twin master cylinders which provide independent systems to front and rear brakes. Each master cylinder has its own reservoir and warning light on the facia. The handbrake, operating on the rear brakes, is completely self adjusting. The Mark X has a wheelbase of 10ft, an over-all length of 16ft lOin, a width of Bft 4in and a turning circle of 37ft. Ground clearance is six inches and a half. It is expected to cost about £2900 in New Zealand, and models will arrive next year.