The D-Type was built with one race in mind : Le mans, in France. But it wasn't as if Jaguar had been without success, as their XK 120C MkII, otherwise known as the C-Type, had been successful in the early 1950s and had been clocked doing 180mph (289km/h) on a closed Belgian highway. To make it as light and advanced as possible, the D-Type used a centre monocoque section with separate front subframe, where most cars were using ladder frames. There was still a live axle at the rear, but up front were double wishbones and longitudinal torsion bar springs. The engine was a version of Jaguar's famous XK unit, featuring an iron block and ally head with twin high-lift camshafts, bigger inlet valves and three twin Weber carbs. It used dry sump lubrication to remain reliable in racing. Later, fuel injection gave 304bhp (227kW). The rear fin was for high-speed stability.
