LA MOTOR SHOW: Jaguar reveals new XKSS

Jaguar has stepped back almost 60 years in time, revealing a modern interpretation of its classic XKSS, its very first 'supercar'.

Revealed in Los Angeles this week, the XKSS is a direct replica of the road-going version of the Le Mans-winning D-Type.

Jaguar has committed to building just nine versions of the historic car, and all of them have sold for more than one million pounds, or around $A1.65 million.

commemorating the same number of vehicles that were lost in a fire in 1957 en route to customers in the US. As a consequence of the fire at the Jaguar Midlands facility in the UK, only 16 XKSS cars were ever built in their original form.

The Jaguar Classic engineering team was responsible for the modern interpretations, and went to great lengths to ensure their authenticity.

First and foremost, the team has spent 18 months researching the intricate details of the XKSS; using a combination of intricate drawings from Jaguar's original archive, along with modern technology. The latter element included several scanned versions of the 1957 XKSS to help build a complete digital image of the car, from body to chassis, and including all parts required.

The body of the XKSS is made from magnesium alloy, as it was in 1957, and includes traditional processes.

The continuation cars feature period specification four-wheel disc brakes and Dunlop tyres with riveted two-piece magnesium alloy wheels.

Under the bonnet sits a 3.4-litre straight-six D-Type engine good for 195kW. It features completely new cast iron blocks, new cast cylinder heads and three Weber DC03 carburettors.

Inside, everything from the steering wheel to the leather seats and brass knobs are seemingly exact replicas of the original.

Customer vehicles will be hand-built from this year, each requiring 10,000 man hours.