The car that defeated the steam train from Top Gear...

In Series 13 opener of Top Gear, a letter from a viewer was sent to Top Gear and says here that what would Top Gear be look like when they were in 1949 and yep, Jeremy, Richard, and James take up for the big challenge. It's the 1949 episode. An epic 1949 race between the Jaguar XK120, the world's fastest on that time, the Vincent Black Shadow, which is the fastest motorbike on that time, and something that is bit 1949-ish but modern, a Peppercorn Class A1 60163 Tornado steam train. Jeremy Clarkson took part on the A1 Tornado while James May is in the Jaguar XK120 and Richard Hammond, in his leather romper suit, rides on the Vincent Black Shadow in a race from King's Cross, London, to a bar in Edinburgh. In the end, the Jaguar XK120 defeated the A1 Tornado steam train while the Vincent Black Shadow motorbike is dead last because of problems.

The world's fastest car from the late 1940's

This is how Forza feels like when it's 1949

So, the Jaguar XK120, what made it very special that when this car was launched in 1948, it hailed as the world's fastest car from that era. The roadster version as seen at the 1948 London Motor Show was actually a pre-production model and its positive reception propelled Jaguar founder and design boss William Lyons to put it into production. As the name implies, it is capable of 120 mph (193 km/h) of top speed, which in 1948, hailed as the fastest car in the world courtesy of its 3.4L DOHC Straight-6 engine that generates 160 bhp (119 kW; 162 PS) @ 5000 rpm of power.

Back then, this car costs 1200 Pounds in 1948 but in today's world, that's about 35,000 Pounds. It's a Bugatti Veyron with the price of the 5 Series.

In the old days, XK120 units with standard 8:1 compression ratio were exported to the world market but in Britain, a 7:1 low compression version was provided with decreased power because of the post World War II austerity measures.

Most of the XK120's come with the independent torsion bar front suspension, semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear, recirculating ball steering, telescopically adjustable steering column, and all-round 12 inch drum brakes that can be easily broken or Alfin (ALuminium FINned) brake drums that has low chances of getting it broken. 

In 1951, an improved version, the XK120 SE (Special Edition) was launched with wire wheels, increased power, stiffer suspension and dual exhaust system. Therefore, the SE model produces 180 bhp (134 kW; 182 PS) of power but the one we have on Forza Motorsport 4 via the July Car Pack was actually the XK120 SE (C-Type Head) that comes with the improved 3.4L engine that churns out 210 bhp (157 kW; 213 PS) of power.

Off to kick some steam train rails...

During its tenure, the XK120 was heavily involved in motorsports beginning with its first victory at the Daily Express-sponsored One-Hour Production Car Race held on 30 August 1949 at Silverstone Circuit, England. From 1949 to 1954, the XK120 shines through various races such as the Le Mans, Targa Florio, Mille Miglia, Silverstone Production Car Race, Tourist Trophy, Mount Druitt 24 Hours Road Race, and we're not joking, NASCAR where Al Keller won the first NASCAR road race, held at Linden Airport, New Jersey, on June 13, 1954.

Nice view with this car!

Even in old days, cars are better than trains. Most Top Gear episodes always proving that cars are better than trains. The Aston Martin DB9 is better than the train heading to Monte Carlo, the Nissan R35 GT-R is better than the Shinkansen, and this...the Jaguar XK120 is better than the Peppercorn Class A1 60163 Tornado steam train. I'm glad that this car showed up on Forza Motorsport 4 and I'm loving it not only because of the noise and its heritage but this really is the car that this shows that even six decades ago, in post-WW2 era, cars are better than trains! It pays to be a Top Gear fanatic.

BEAT THAT, CATHEDRALS EXPRESS!!!