Jaguar XK140

The Jaguar XK140 is a sports car manufactured by Jaguar Cars between the years 1954-1957.

The Jaguar XK140 is an upgraded model over its predecessor the Jaguar XK120. The upgraded features included the rack and pinion steering, tube type shock absorbers and modern braking system. The same Jaguar XK engine was used in this car, which was also used in the Jaguar XK120. The engine delivers an additional 10 hp and up to 190bhp compared to theXK120.

In the 1955 models, the major change was the front and rear bumpers, flashing direction indicators which is being operated by a switch. The front grill is the same, which is used in the XK120. On the top of the grill, there is the Jaguar mascot and also a chrome strip. The chrome strip contains a red shield where the words “Winner Le Mans 1951-53” have been inscribed in gold.

The 1956 model of the Jaguar XK140 was the first where automatic transmission has been employed. The Jaguar XK140 has been launched in three different body styles; the Roadster which is an open two-seater, where the top of the car can be closed or opened within a few seconds. The interiors are completely made of leather; curtains are made of plastic and the canvas can be removed.

Specifications
Years Produced: 1954-1957
Model: Roadster
Body Type: Steel body
Length: 14ft 4.5in
Width: 5ft 4.5in
Engine: dual overhead-cam 3.4 L straight-6 XK engine
Displacement: 3442cc
Horsepower: 190 bhp @ 5500 rpm
Brakes: drum
Transmission: 4-speed Automatic
0-60 mph: 9 sec
Top speed: 121 mph

April 26, 2007 at 4:03 am | 5 comments

Jaguar XK120

The Jaguar XK120 is a sports car being manufactured by Jaguar Cars between the years 1948 to 1954.

The XK120 is a Roadster that has been launched in the year 1948 at the London Motor Show; also, the new XK engine has been introduced. The car reaches a top speed of 120 mph, due to the 120 mph speed it was named XK120. The XK120 is also the fastest car at the time of its production. The XK120 was first launched as a Roadster, then as a Drop Head Coupe in the year 1953 and later as a Fixed Head Coupe in the year 1951.

1953 Jaguar XK120 Coupe Black

The body of the Roadster is hand built which contained aluminum bodies on the ash borders. Later in the 1950s, steel was used in the place of aluminum, but there were no changes in the aluminum doors, boot lid and bonnet. The 3.4 liter straight-6 XK has been used in this car which delivers an output power of about 160 bhp with 8:1 compression ratio. In addition, the 7:1 compression ratio was also available for more mileage. The dash board is made of leather, torsion bar front suspension has been used in all the XK120 models, the steering can be adjustable, drum brakes have been used at the front and back wheels. Also, detachable side screens are used at the back of the seats.

The Drop Head Coupe contains a canvas top which can be folded; the windscreen used in this model is fixed. The dash boards are made of wood, rear wheel arches are covered with removable spats which gives a stunning look, and the center lock wire wheels have been provided in the car.

1950 Jaguar XK120 Interior

Specifications for the XK120 3.4

Years Produced: – 1948-1954
Body Type: – steel body
Length: – 177 in
Width: – 32.0 in
Engine: – dual overhead-cam 3.4 L straight-6 XK engine
Displacement: – 3442cc
Horsepower: – 160 bhp @ 5000 rpm
Brakes: – drum
Specifications for the XK120 3.4 SE

Years Produced: – 1951-1954
Body Type: – steel body
Length: – 177  in
Width: – 32.0 in
Engine: – dual overhead-cam 3.4 L straight-6 XK engine
Displacement: – 3442cc
Horsepower: –  210 bhp @ 5700 rpm
Brakes: – drum brakes

April 26, 2007 at 12:18 am | 1 comment

Kia KND-4 Concept

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Kia has chosen April and the Auto Show from Seoul for making public its new SUV concept. The car is called KND-4 and is painted in light green, its colour being very suggestive for its eco-friendly character. Although it is perfectly functional, the SUV will never be a series product in the current shape, this being just a design exercise. But the future off road cars of compact class from KIA will borrow a good part from the elements experimented on the KND-4. The prototype is the first KIA car that speaks about its new vision “Designology”The word describes itself as a happy combination of the bold design with last hour technology and represents a new vision by which Koreans are building their future cars. KND is a concept that wants to prove the KIA capacity of conceiving and producing sophisticated cars as design and with great technological capability, wanted to understate one of Kia Motors managers.The concept has four seats and the interior is almost SF. It is dressed in light colours being enhanced by aluminium inserts and “hidden” lights. At the level of equipment, KND 4 could easily enter the IT category. The driver has a lot of road condition info, state of the vehicle, information provided by a series of sensors that “cover” the entire car.KND 4 is monitored with a propeller of 2.2 litter, diesel (with very low level of pollution). The integral traction is insured by the newest KIA transmission system, called Active Torque Transfer (ATT). The system is directing the power of the engine in conditions of loosing traction to the wheels with higher adherence.The name of the KND car comes from the entitling of the design centre of Kia from Korea which has made the project (Kia Namyang Design Centre). The number 4 means that the prototype has full traction.

April 24, 2007 at 5:44 am | 3 comments

BMW Concept CS

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BMW is signalling that soon, the fight of the giants from the premium category will be much tuffer also in the Gran Turismo sport segment. In other words, Maserati Gran Turismo and especially Mercedes Benz CLS will have from the part of the constructor vabaver a great competitor.BMW has presented at the end of last week the prototype of a four-door luxury car, as result of the BMW experience in what concern the production of models capable of offering exceptional performances and excellent comfort for more than two passengers.BMW Concept CS is (for now) a study for a Gran Turismo car from the luxury segment, with modern and sophisticated design, in a modern interpretation of the premium model, with great attention to detail, refined material choice and an exceptional execution. The body is according to the European style standards, with accent on the fluid aspect, with lowered pavilion and weight centre and increased axle base, while the interior is dominated with an innovative design, where a great attention has been given to functionality. The sport chairs best illustrate Ergonomy and comfort for the four passengers.The exterior design is expressive, dynamic with a reinterpretation of the classical BMW line. The sporty characters accentuated by the aerodynamic profile, the curved wings and the rims made of light alloy on 21 inches. The elegance and the innovation are completed by the LED technology used at headlights and by the elongate posterior optical groups covered in clear glass.At the interior, the attention is drawn by the “stratified” surfaces and by the important controls ergonomically placed the comfort in driving being offered by the optimal placement of controls and displays. The interior superior quality finishing is underlined by the contrasting colours, the leather surfaces and the introduction of ceramic materials on controls. The engine is a 6.0 liter V12, which is actually the M5 5.0 liter V10 with 2 extra cylinders.If this concept will become reality in the series production and how hard it will be for BMW to fight a market segment that is now at full development, it remains to be seen.

April 23, 2007 at 4:50 am | 1 comment

Ruf CTR3

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RUF has announced the release of the brand new CTR3 during the grand opening of a new RUF facility in Bahrain. Twenty years ago the first CTR called the Yellow bird entered the market, followed by the second one ten years later. Both generations had the engines in the rear which makes the difference between them and the new RIF CTR3 which brings the mid engine design, but all three of them keep the feel of a pure driving machine.The new super car’ s development brings great driving stability, very good balance and agile handling through the mid engine design. The aerodynamic body-great for high speed is made of steel combined with aluminium and kevlar-carbon.Safety is very important for supercars and the new CTR 3 makes no exception from the rule and uses the latest version of the RUF Integrated Roll Cage, which protects the passenger compartment. Also, front hood and doors are made of aluminium and they have integrated side impact protection beams.With a very long experience in turbo charged boxer engines, RUF has chosen as propeller for the new supercar the 3.8 litter flat six cylinder engine which has an output of 700 bhp at 7,000 rpm and torque is 657 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. The new CTR3 can go from 0 to 62 miles/h in 3.2 sec and can reach a top speed of 235 mph.New design has been also used in construction of the sequential shift six speed transmission which can handle a maximum of 885lb-ft.High performance, written all over the new supercar couldn’t have missed from the brake system: the two front axles use 6 piston fixed light alloy callipers and ventilated, cross drilled ceramic composite discs and each one of them has a diameter of 380 mm.The front wheels have central locking and are forged aluminium with 255/35 ZR19 tires and at the rear 335/30 ZR20 tires are mounted on 12.5 X 20 wheels. The customers can order the car with personal interior design and they can choose from lightweight finish to sporty luxury finish with special leather and alcantera.

April 23, 2007 at 3:33 am | No comment

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