Not Necessarily In A Bad Way

Since Porsche started created other models that weren't a 2-door coupe or convertible the image has changed. Not necessarily in a bad way, but they have increased their reachable market across all types. It appears Porsche wants to grow that market even larger by introducing more models. 鈥?Late 2012: The all new Cayman will be revealed later this year. 鈥?Early 2013: The facelifted Panamera will debut with new bumpers and headlights/taillights. 鈥?Late 2013: The 918 Plug-In Hybrid Supercar will officially be unveiled. 鈥?Late 2013: The Maccan (small SUV built off the Audi Q5) will officially debut. 鈥?2015: The return of the infamous 550 Spyder is being developed, however no exact debut date yet. 鈥?2017: The Pajun (Panamera Junior) could see production, which is a four-door coupe designed to slot below the Panamera. With all of these new and updated models, I can't help but think just maybe Porsche will enter the hatchback market next? The new Mercedes-Benz A-Class model is creating a lot of buzz. I think a Sports-Hatch would be a great model in Porsche's future lineup.

In October 1961, Jaguar took over Guy Motors and announced the big MkX saloon, which used the same tune XK engine and transmission as the E-type. In early 1962, a series of internal industrial disputes again paralyzed production after Jaguar had won a large American order for its cars, and the disruption continued on and off for the rest of the year. Jaguar managed to ramp up production to 150 cars per week in March 1962. Despite the industrial disputes, Jaguar produced 6266 E-types in 1962. If the E-type looked futuristic, British car manufacturing industrial relations seemed positively archaic in comparison. Whatever one鈥檚 view of Dr Beeching鈥檚 report from the traffic congested viewpoint of nearly 50 years later, at the time, rail travel was seen as a relic from the Victorian era. The public aspired towards car ownership, and as the same public were also voters, any politician who was not prepared to satisfy their aspirations risked political suicide. In Britain, a large scale motorway building program was already underway and similar programs were being undertaken across the western world.

This was the brash new world of the 1960s, in which new technology would forge a bright future where the sun would always shine, and the E-type became one of the symbols of this utopia. In an era when Britain鈥檚 best selling cars, the BMC 1100 and Ford Cortina, struggled to exceed 70mph, the 150mph E-type ate up the miles on Britain鈥檚 new motorway system. In April 1963, Autocar tested the latest revised E-type FHC, and this time reached 152.7 mph with a 0-60mph time of 7.2 seconds. The following February, the technical editor of Autocar magazine since 1955, Harry Mundy, joined Jaguar. Before joining the magazine, Mundy had worked for ERA, BRM and Coventry-Climax, and later designed the twin-cam engine used by the Lotus Cortina. This was also the month the Beatles conquered the USA and spearheaded the British invasion of the American music charts. When the E-type was launched, priority was given to 50 motor racing personalities, so that the car would be seen around the motor racing paddocks.

Now, with the success of British pop music abroad, the Jaguar E-type was seen in the hands of the young movers and shakers of the 1960s, giving the car the all-important youthful image. George Harrison and Dave Clark were both E-type owners. In October, Jaguar announced the new 4.2-litre XK engine for use in the MkX saloon and E-type. The E-type gained a revised electrical system and improved seating. So how did the revised car perform? Motor magazine tested ARW 732B, a 4.2-litre FHC for its issue of 31 October 1964. It managed to attain 150mph and a 0-60 mph time of 7seconds, with more refinement, but that was not the whole story. On New Year鈥檚 day 1965, it was announced that Jaguar were taking over the Henry Meadows diesel manufacturer whose plant was adjacent to the recently purchased Guy Motors facility. Then in February, Jaguar subsidiary Coventry Climax announced it would be pulling out of motor racing at the end of the year.