Jaguar XJ13 '66

aspiration

NA (Naturally Aspirated)

Group

Gr.X

Displacement

4,994 cc

DriveTrain

MR

Height

965 mm

Length

4,483 mm

Weight

998 kg

Width

1,854 mm

Max Power

510 BHP / 7,500 rpm

Max Torque

53.4 kgfm / 6,500 rpm

Performance Point

PP 673.36

Manufacturer

Jaguar

Jaguar XJ13 '66: The Untold Story of Coventry's V12 Le Mans Legend

The Jaguar XJ13, introduced in 1966, is one of the most celebrated 'what could have been' stories in the annals of automotive history. Designed by Malcolm Sayer, the XJ13 was conceived as a prototype to bring Jaguar back to the pinnacle of endurance racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. At its heart was a 5.0-liter, quad-cam V12 engine, representing Jaguar's ambition to directly challenge the likes of Ford, Ferrari, and Porsche during an exhilarating period for sports car racing.

Despite its striking design, advanced aerodynamics, and the legacy of Jaguar’s prior Le Mans dominance with the C-Type and D-Type, the XJ13 was unfortunately never given the chance to compete. Regulatory changes and Jaguar’s shifting priorities meant that the car remained a one-off prototype. It did, however, exhibit remarkable speed during testing, with reports suggesting it could achieve 0–60 mph in under 4 seconds and reach a top speed of around 170 mph—extraordinary figures for its day.

The XJ13 gained additional fame following a highly publicized crash during a 1971 promotional film shoot. The subsequent restoration of the sole prototype only fueled its mystique, and today the XJ13 is revered as a symbol of Jaguar’s engineering prowess and its unfulfilled Le Mans ambitions. Though it never saw the green flag at La Sarthe, it continues to capture the imaginations of car enthusiasts worldwide and remains a central icon in the pantheon of classic race cars.