- Filed under: Sedan, Jaguar, Reviews, Luxury
2011 Jaguar XJ - Click above for high-res image gallery
Xynthia ripped into France merely hours after our arrival. Packing gale-force fury, the ruthless wind and rain battered the coast before moving inland with its crushing blow - sadly, it was the country's deadliest storm in more than a decade. While we were spared most of its rage, the countryside outside Paris was a soggy debris-laden mess - not exactly optimal conditions to test the latest flagship sedan from Jaguar.
Soldiering forth - and more intrigued than ever with the all-new saloon - we ignored the rain and spent a long day trekking around the drenched landscape with both the short- and long-wheelbase models. What makes this new XJ so different from its predecessors? Does its performance mirror its powerplants? And, what's up with that painted C-Pillar? The answers, and more, are found after the jump.
Photos by Michael Harley / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Review: 2011 Jaguar XJ is indisputably British and not afraid of a storm
Review: 2011 Jaguar XJ is indisputably British and not afraid of a storm originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Jaguar, Land Rover, Tata, Rumormill
The current Jaguar lineup is as good as it has been in a long time, but a report from UK site Autocar claims that good isn't good enough for overlord Tata. Tata vice chairman Ravi Kant reportedly talked with Autocar about Jaguar and Land Rover, and it appears that the Indian automaker would like to see more progress in less time, adding "our key advantages should be speed to market and agility, that should be the DNA of any small company." One complaint Kant leveled against Jaguar was that the company was thinking too much like a British company even though only 25 percent of its business emanates from the island.
More exciting than that is reported talk about expanding the Jaguar lineup with more choices and even a smaller, baby Jag. Autocar quotes Kant as saying, "It has to happen if you want to keep the brand alive. We need an entry-level car." Tata and Jaguar could possibly work with another automaker on an entry-level rear-wheel-drive chassis so the storied British automaker could produce a competitor for the BMW 3 Series. After the new XJ is officially launched, the next step will reportedly be an XE sports car due at the end of 2012. A refresh of the XK is also reportedly scheduled for the same time frame.
[Source: Autocar]
Report: Jaguar planning major overhaul? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Coupe, Geneva Motor Show, Jaguar, Specialty
Jaguar XKR Special Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery
Jaguar loves to unwrap auto show goodies, and the city by the lake hasn't been left out of the cat's bag. The Jaguar XKR Special Edition is a supercharged coupe that will take you all the way to 174 miles per hour - none of that electronanny 155 mph, thank you - thanks to its supercharged, 510-horsepower, 5.0-liter V8.
The Speed Pack and Black Packs, both options on the regular XK, will make you feel and look faster, and the tailored XK suitcase will make you look just plain better when all the speediness stops. Have a gander at the feral white feline in the high-res gallery below.
Continue reading Geneva 2010: Jaguar XKR Special Edition gives old cat extra life
Geneva 2010: Jaguar XKR Special Edition gives old cat extra life originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Jaguar, Land Rover
Jaguar and Land Rover have been getting closer and closer. The two British luxury marques that once might have competed for the same customers now find themselves under the same Tata-constructed roof. And in the process they've begun sharing parts as big as engines. But you'd figure with Jaguars bound to the road and Land Rovers excelling off the beaten path, they couldn't possibly share something as fundamental as platforms, right? So you might figure, and with reasonable grounds, but you'd be wrong. That is, assuming the latest reports prove accurate.
According to Autocar, JLR will soon begin cutting back from six different platforms to just two. The major building block will be the flexible aluminum architecture underpinning the latest Jaguar XF and XJ sedans. JLR apparently figures the platform can be adapted easily enough for the high-riding, rock-jumping Land Rover and Range Rover models, as well as the upcoming new roadster from Jag, while the Discovery is reportedly slated to be replaced by a bigger version of the Freelander.
[Source: Autocar | Image: Christopher Furlong/Getty]Report: Jaguar/Land Rover to cut from six platforms to two originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Etc., Buick, Cadillac, Hummer, Jaguar, Jeep, Lexus, Mazda, Saturn, Suzuki
2010 J.D. Power CSI Study - Click above for charts
Lexus and Hummer took top honors in their respective categories in the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Consumer Service Index (CSI) Study. Released this time each year, the CSI rankings (based on a 1,000-point scale) measure satisfaction among vehicle owners who visit a brand service department for maintenance or repair work during the first three years of ownership - that wonderful honeymoon phase when factory warranties are still in full effect. The study is designed to focus on five measurements: service quality, service initiation, service advisor, service facility and vehicle pick-up. The results are tabulated, and then presented as a score on a 1,000-point scale. Unlike previous years, where all brands were lumped into one single category and only three made it to the podium, JDPA broke things into two segments: luxury brands and mass market brands.
Lexus, with a score of 837, was at the top of the luxury brands, again - the automaker won last year as well. It was followed by Cadillac (827), who showed a big improvement over the previous year, and Jaguar (822). If you recall, Jaguar was at the top of the list in 2008 and finished second in 2009 (this is more indicative of a bar that continues to be raised rather than a decrease in service). Hummer (815) was top dog among mass market brands, followed by the now-discontinued brand of Saturn (808) and Buick (805). General Motors holds six of the top seven spots on the mass market category. At the bottom of the list are Suzuki (693), Mazda (717) and Jeep (720).
Overall, the industry is showing improvement as customers have expressed satisfaction with the ease of driving in and out of dealership facilities, parking convenience, thoroughness of work performed, the speed of repairs and flexibility of accommodating schedules. While that sounds like great news, experts say it most of those improvements may be attributed to the lower volumes of service bay traffic as sales slump in the new car showroom. Full release after the jump.
Gallery: 2010 JD Power CSI Study
[Source: J.D. Power and Associates]Continue reading Lexus and Hummer top 2010 J.D. Power Customer Service Index Study
Lexus and Hummer top 2010 J.D. Power Customer Service Index Study originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Coupe, Jaguar, Design/Style
Drive a Jaguar XK and you'll agree, there's little wrong with the way it rides, handles, and goes. Looks are subjective and the competition keeps ratcheting up interior quality and equipment to levels that surpass what's sumptuously packed into Jaguar's rakish two-door. With that in mind, Jaguar is keeping what's great, namely the bonded-and-riveted structure, and changing what's looking old, according to Autocar.
The body will finally ditch its throwback fish-mouth and move to a grille predictably inspired by the XF, and there will be more sculpting and surface development in the metalwork, though final choices have yet to be made. The convertible version will keep its soft roof for weight and packaging reasons, mainly, and the interior will reportedly be the best-ever in a Jaguar.
The biggest news is Jaguar's addition of a diesel engine for its sports/GT model. Long since the bastion of trucks, torquey modern diesels are gaining popularity in sports cars from BMW, Audi, and now Jaguar. A 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 will be offered in the upcoming XK D, serving up 300 horsepower and exceptional fuel economy. Big, fat torque from a less-thirsty engine sounds like a good idea to us, and Jaguar is hoping that it boost XK volume back up to 10-12,000 units per year. The exhaust note might need a little work, however, to ever be better than the hoodlum-class V8 bark the XK currently trumpets so gloriously.
[Source: Autocar]Report: Details on the next Jaguar XK originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Jaguar, Reviews, Luxury
2010 Jaguar XF Supercharged - Click above for high-res image gallery
There have been very few cars like the 2010 Jaguar XF Supercharged, and that's a shame. Yet it's difficult to explain why this car is so special, so let's just start by describing what it is. You can order Jaguar's S-Type replacement in four flavors (more if you live in a diesel-friendly part of the world). The first and least expensive comes with Jag's tried-and-true 4.2-liter V8 for $52,000, although we're told that the 4.2-liter is now out of production, so get 'em while they're hot. For $5,000 more, you can get the company's new direct-injected 5.0-liter V8 with 385 horsepower, which is most assuredly worth every penny.
Skipping ahead one, the fourth and final flavor is the top cat XFR, equipped with a 510-hp supercharged and monsterized version of the 5.0-liter V8 for $80,000. Put another way, that's $23,000 for an extra 125 horsepower. Worth the stretch? Honestly, when are we not going to tell you to buy a 510-hp vehicle? However, there is a third flavor and it's called the XF Supercharged. Starting at $68,000, the XF Supercharged comes with the same 5.0-liter supercharged V8 as the XFR, albeit "detuned" down to 470 hp and 424 lb-ft of torque.
We know we shouldn't be shocked, but come on. We are living in seriously miraculous times if 470 hp and 424 lb-ft of torque is the detuned version of anything. That's quite nearly Nissan GT-R power, and Godzilla is a supercar killer. Oddly, Jaguar has decided not to make a big deal out of the release of this car (i.e. no launch) and that's a shame, because as you've probably surmised by now, the engine alone makes the XF Supercharged pretty special. Keep reading to learn why this is the Goldilocks of the XF range. In other words, just right.
Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Review: 2010 Jaguar XF Supercharged is the Goldilocks of Q-ships
Review: 2010 Jaguar XF Supercharged is the Goldilocks of Q-ships originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Jaguar
2011 Jaguar XKR Special Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery
You know that cat? It's not only out of the bag, but the bag has been beaten, robbed and burned to a crisp. Translation: Jaguar is bringing a brawny, hopped-up version of its XKR to Geneva. Dubbed the XKR Special Edition, this Jag is actually a combo platter of two other XKR specials. Still with us? Good.
Let's start with the first two. For 2011, the supercharged, 510-horsepower XKR will be available with a Speed Pack. What's it do? The Speed Pack raises the bad kitty's top speed from 155 mph to 174 mph (both speeds are electronically limited). Then there's the Black Pack that, besides being fun to say, is an appearance package for the already pretty good looking XKR.
Should you opt for the Black Pack, you get gloss black 20-inch Kalimnos wheels, gloss black chrome grille and side vents, red brake calipers and a body-colored aero-kit. You can even go for an "XKR" graphic on the side sills (we'd advise against that last bit). Rather than calling the two combined packages "Black Speed," Jaguar is instead calling the whole megillah the XKR Special Edition. Until Geneva. Press Release and video after the jump.Continue reading Jaguar to unveil faster, blacker XKR Special Edition in Geneva
Jaguar to unveil faster, blacker XKR Special Edition in Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Japan, BMW, Infiniti, Jaguar, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Luxury
Porsche Panamera with body kit by Wald International - Click above for image gallery
Tuners typically roll out one package at a time. When a big tuner show like SEMA comes around, maybe a couple at a time. But Japanese tuning firm Wald International is launching five body kits for some of the most desirable top-of-the-line luxury sedans, all at the same time.
Included in Wald's plans are aero kits for the Rolls-Royce Ghost, Porsche Panamera, Infiniti M, Jaguar XJ and BMW 7 Series. Throw in a Quattroporte, Mercedes CLS, maybe a Bentley and the Aston Martin Rapide in there and they'd have the whole kit and kaboodle covered. Not much in the way of details available as of yet on this quintet of modified luxury wheels, but from the looks of it, each has been lowered and mounted with new front fascias, side skirts and big ol' alloys. Check 'em out for yourself below.
[Source: Wald International via CarScoop]Wald International takes on Rolls, Porsche, Jaguar, BMW and Infiniti... all at the same time originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Motorsports, Jaguar, Racing
JaguarRSR XKR GT2 and its predecessors - Click above for high-res image gallery
Jaguar's motorsports involvement dates back to its earliest days some 75 years ago. The 24 Hours of Le Mans has been part of that story since 1951 when a C-Type won the big enduro its very first time out. Jaguar is returning to the French classic this year with a factory entry for the first time since the Tom Walkinshaw built XJR-14 prototypes of the early 1990s.
This year, instead of seeking overall victory with a prototype, Jaguar is aiming for top honors in GT2 with a production-derived XKR built by Lansing, MI based Rocketsports Racing. The JaguarRSR XKR GT2 ran some practice laps at the Petit Le Mans last fall before its competition debut in the ALMS finale at Laguna Seca. RSR owner Paul Gentilozzi will share seat time with Scott Pruett and Marc Goossens in the 24 hour race. The XKR will also be running the full American Le Mans Series season this year starting at the 12 hours of Sebring next month.
[Source: Jaguar]
Photos copyright Jaguar / (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Jaguar returns to Le Mans with GT2 XKR
Jaguar returns to Le Mans with GT2 XKR originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Jaguar, Land Rover, UK, Electric
2011 Jaguar XJ - Click above for high-res image gallery
According to Autocar in the UK, Jaguar Land Rover is still hard at work on series hybrid vehicles. Similar to the stance General Motors has taken with the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, Jaguar believes that the only real way electric vehicles can be made compatible with everyday life is to add a small range-extending gasoline-powered engine that's capable of keeping the batteries charged on the go.
Unlike GM, though, Jaguar has seen fit to contract its small engine work out to Lotus, which makes sense given the two British company's differing product specialties. Lotus has reportedly delivered a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine that generates 35kW of power, which is carried - with a little help from a UK government grant or two - inside a new 2011 XJ sedan with a lithium ion battery pack.
Motive force comes courtesy of what Autocar believes is a 145kW (194 horsepower) electric motor with 295 pound-feet of torque. Performance specifications sound pretty good - though not quite as impressive as we might have imagined - assuming all of this is accurate, with a range of 600 miles, combined fuel economy of 47 miles per gallon (57 mpg UK) and carbon emissions of under 120 g/km. Top speed would reportedly come in at 112 miles per hour.
An unnamed source at Jaguar tells Autocar that the electric XJ handles quite well "because of the bulk that's removed from car when you strip out the conventional drivetrain." Future Range Rover models are also rumored to get a similar drivetrain.
[Source: Autocar]Report: Jaguar builds all-electric XJ test vehicle originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Podcasts, Recalls, Safety, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Jaguar, Jeep, Lincoln, Toyota, Tesla
Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!
The prodigal Jonny Lieberman phones in this week for episode #164 of the Autoblog Podcast, joining Chris, Sam, and Dan for the ensuing hijinks. Despite the massive preoccupation with Toyota recalls, which does lead us off, our quartet manages to hit some other topics, too.
Hyundai's 2011 Sonata and its pricing gives us relief from recall madness, followed by the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee's pricking and packaging details. Very quiet Mercury has rumors of a Focus-based C-Segment car coming up, and we return to Toyota - this time with better news - a potential high performance division. That's your hour-and-a-half for this week, see you next time!
Until next week, hit up Joystiq and Engadget - Let us know what you think of our podcast by dropping us an email at Podcast at Autoblog dot com, reviewing the show in iTunes, filling out our survey, or even leaving us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Thanks for listening!Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #164 - Return of the Lieberman
Autoblog Podcast #164 - Return of the Lieberman originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Europe, Jaguar
Grace and pace and something else - click above for high-res image gallery
Grace and pace. One cannot properly talk Jaguar without mentioning the brand's calling car. For the last 75 years those two attributes have separated Jag from the rest of the pack. After all, not only did the E-Type look that good, but when is debuted in 1961 few cars could match its speed. Those that could, well, they sure didn't look like a Jaguar.
Lately however, the shag-you-are song hasn't exactly remained the same. Don't get us wrong, the brand's adherence to V8s and superchargers has largely ensured the pace part of the equation has been there, but grace... not so much. Or, in the case of the Europe-only diesel X-type Estate (read: station wagon), both terms were rudely, death knellingly absent.
To mark the occasion of their 75th anniversary Jaguar is claiming the old mojo is back. As something more than casual observers of the auto industry, we can assure you that they aren't far off. Five seconds into any journey featuring the brand's new 5.0-liter supercharged V8 will make a believer out of anyone. Moreover, the few fleeting minutes we've spent inside the new XJ's cockpit have made us born again. It might very well be the most graceful interior on planet earth. Now if they could just do something about the XK's snout... Make the jump to check out Jaguar's 75th Anniversary press release, and enjoy the gallery-it's superb.
[Source: Jaguar]Continue reading Jaguar observes 75-year anniversary by celebrating past, looking to the future
Jaguar observes 75-year anniversary by celebrating past, looking to the future originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Jaguar, Land Rover, UK, Tata
The man installed by Tata to guide the Jaguar/Land Rover ship, David Smith, has left the company. Smith was the head of finance for Ford Europe, and had helped sell Aston Martin to Dave Richards' group before he assisted in the sale of Jaguar to Tata. He has been the CEO since 2008, and just last year helped the company secure a £340 million ($553 million) European Investment Bank loan guarantee. A short statement from the company itself gave no reason for the departure, saying only that Ravi Kant, company director, will take over in the meantime while a successor is found.
[Source: Jaguar/Land Rover, BBC]Jaguar-Land Rover CEO David Smith stepping down originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Classics, Auctions, Jaguar
1956 Jaguar D-Type at Gooding & Company - Click above for high-res image
You can only attend so many auctions in the same day, so unfortunately we couldn't make it over to the Gooding & Company auction held in Scottsdale yesterday. We missed some pretty incredible cars go up for sale, though, especially this gorgeous 1956 Jaguar D-Type that sold for $3.74 million. The car has an impressive racing history in the United States that includes podium finishes at Santa Barbara, Bakersfield, Palm Springs, Riverside, Paramount Ranch and Pomona.
This D-Type was among three cars that broke the million dollar mark; a 1934 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing-Top Convertible Coupe ($1.815 million) and a 1959 Costin Lister Jaguar Sports Racer ($1.1 million) being the other two. In a generous act, Gooding & Company also donated a portion of its $15 million in total sales to the International Response Fund of the American Red Cross to help the relief efforts in Haiti. Hit the jump for full details about Gooding & Company's 2010 Scottsdale auction.
[Source: Gooding & Company]Continue reading 1956 Jaguar D-Type brings $3.74 million at Gooding & Company auction
1956 Jaguar D-Type brings $3.74 million at Gooding & Company auction originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 23 Jan 2010 12:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Archive for the 'JAGUAR' Category
Saturday, April 14th, 2007
Jaguar Cars is adding even more appeal to the ‘must have’ XKR with the unveiling of the all-new special edition Portfolio model. The 4.2-litre supercharged sports car will be sold worldwide and each one will feature notable additions to the already strong specification of the XKR, which is capable of hitting an electronically controlled top speed of 155mph and can accelerate to 60mph in just 4.9 seconds (5.0 seconds for the convertible).
- New special edition XKR Portfolio offers even greater technology and luxury to customers seeking the ultimate sports coupe or convertible.
- Unique exterior styling revisions include 20-inch polished Cremona five-spoke alloy wheels, polished aluminium side power vents and Celestial Black paint.
- Advanced aluminium construction, 420bhp supercharged 4.2-litre V8 engine and six-speed Jaguar sequential shift transmission with paddleshift for superb dynamic performance.
- New high-performance braking system with 400mm front discs and 350mm rear discs – the largest ever fitted to a production Jaguar.
- Choice of new interior veneer - Engine-Spun Alloy – or elegant Satin American Walnut.
- First production Jaguar to use new Bowers & Wilkins speaker system exclusively crafted for XKR Premium Sound system.
The XKR’s already powerful sporting styling cues – an enhanced front bumper, bonnet louvres and aluminium-finish grilles and side power vents – will remain and exclusive Celestial Black exterior paint and 20-inch polished Cremona five-spoke alloy wheels add to the overall presence.
The XKR’s interior represents a truly sophisticated yet driver-focussed environment thanks to class-leading ergonomics, user-friendly in-car technology and simple, clear information displays in the instrument panel and main dashboard area.
The XKR Portfolio will combine this acclaimed design and performance with Jaguar’s engineering and craftsmanship skills to take the XKR to an even higher level. Every XKR benefits from its class-leading, advanced aluminium construction, which ensures that its power is matched by a dynamic, lightweight chassis that handles supremely, rides exceptionally well and stops with surefooted reassurance time after time.
Now, to offer even greater braking ability, Jaguar’s Special Vehicles team has worked alongside leading brake manufacturer Alcon to create the largest, most powerful brakes a production Jaguar has ever carried. After extensive testing by experts at Jaguar’s specialist engineering centre (which is based next to the legendary Nurburgring race circuit in Germany), the new XKR Portfolio braking system was conceived.
400mm front brake discs – an increase of 45mm over the standard XKR – are retarded by powerful six-piston callipers, while at the rear four-piston calipers operate on 350mm discs. Innovative race-developed crescent-shaped grooves cut into the surface of the discs prevent a build-up of deposits on the brake pads and improve braking performance under extreme use.
By allowing the heat created within the system to dissipate quickly and efficiently the XKR Portfolio’s brakes produce fade-free performance whilst maintaining Jaguar renowned blend of refinement and stopping power. Unique ‘R’ branding on the front brake calipers reveals the six-piston set-up beneath.
Surrounding the XKR Portfolio’s brakes are polished 20-inch five-spoke Cremona wheels, while behind the front wheels sit all-new Power Vents which are hewn from polished aluminium and incorporate the indicator side repeater and Jaguar signature ‘ingot’. An exclusive Celestial Black exterior paint will also serve to differentiate the XKR Portfolio edition. (UK and Switzerland have a Liquid Silver paint option as well.)
A host of new additions to the interior further the luxurious look and feel of the XKR Portfolio. A unique, and quite beautiful, Engine-Spun aluminium veneer is standard on the Portfolio, while customers will also have the option of an elegant Satin American Walnut veneer. A new alloy and leather gearshift selector, soft-grab door handles, contrast stitching throughout the cabin, leather-edged mats with a Jaguar logo and distinctive Portfolio treadplates on the doorsills complete the effect.
The XKR Portfolio also marks another first for Jaguar: the first production example of its new partnership with renowned audio entertainment specialists Bowers & Wilkins. This world-leading loudspeaker manufacturer worked alongside Jaguar to create a stunning speaker system for the recent C-XF concept car, but the XKR Portfolio is the first production Jaguar to benefit from the relationship.
Taking Jaguar’s 525W Premium Audio system with Dolby Pro Logic II surround sound as a starting point, Bowers & Wilkins have crafted a signature speaker system specifically for the XKR’s cabin. High-output, low-distortion Kevlar mid-range speakers and specially designed aluminium-dome tweeters deliver superb mid-range and extended high-frequency responses.
The new Jaguar XKR Portfolio special edition is available to order from the end of March 2007.
Posted in World Cars, Passenger Cars, Sport Cars, Automotive News, JAGUAR | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 27th, 2007
Jaguar’s new XKR Coupé is being revealed to a new audience today at the Autosport International Show at the NEC, Birmingham, and in a new guise
Buckingham-based Apex Motorsport, under the direction of Richard Lloyd, has developed the stunning XKR model for use in the FIA GT3 European Championship. It is being revealed in the ‘flesh’ for the first time to the world’s motorsport media at what is recognised to be globally one of the biggest and most successful motorsport shows.
Lloyd and Apex have enjoyed huge racing success in the past, most recently with Bentley with whom they won the 2003 24 Hours of Le Mans. “It was obvious to us that the Jaguar name was missing from the list of GT3 contenders,” said Lloyd. “We believe the new XKR has great potential for success, and Team Manager Dave Ward and the guys have been working flat out since receiving our first car at the end of September. We’ve still got a mountain to climb with roll out and first test scheduled to take place within the next five weeks and, of course, the first race of the season at Silverstone in May. The first car is sold and we have received very positive interest for another two so we’re confident there will be plenty of Jaguars in the FIA paddock and in other emerging GT3 series around the world.”
While Apex has Jaguar’s blessing to compete with the XKR GT3, this is not a factory motorsport programme and the Apex race activities are independent of Jaguar. At the time of the programme’s announcement in September, Stuart Dyble, Jaguar Board Director and Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs, Premier Automotive Group and Ford of Europe, said, “We welcome this initiative which will result in production Jaguar sportscars being seen once again on race circuits across Europe. We have just launched the all new Jaguar XKR road car, and GT3 is the natural race series in which to compete.”
The Jaguar XKR GT3, featuring a 4.2 litre V8 supercharged engine, retains the aluminium body of its production cousin, but has had modifications made in line with the regulations. Draft technical specifications are attached but the definitive specification will be revealed following the official FIA track tests, the first of which takes place at Monza on February 22/23.
The first car to be built by Apex Motorsport has already been sold to Stuart Scott, Managing Director of East Anglia’s most successful travel management company, Cambridge Business Travel. Scott, who has most recently been racing in the British GT Cup, will be driving the Jaguar in a programme of six events with a yet-to-be-named co-driver. He said of his involvement, “I feel privileged to be here at the beginning of this project. In my racing past I have always tried to do something that’s a ‘first’ or a bit different, and to take delivery of the first XKR race car is a dream come true. I’ve been aware of Richard and Apex for a long time and to now be part of such a professional team is wonderful.”
The FIA GT3 European Championship is already a very marketable racing series for teams and manufacturers, using sexy coupés that are closer to their road-car origins and therefore less expensive to build and to run. The series captured the imaginations and interest of competitors and fans alike in its inaugural 2006 season with some 40 entries, and looks set to be strengthened further with the addition of Jaguars to the starting line up. Each manufacturer is represented by up to six entries ensuring a fair distribution of honours, and the performance between the different marques is balanced by the use of success penalties. Entry is aimed at gentlemen and non professional drivers graded by the FIA via a combination of racing experience and age.
The five round Championship begins in May at Silverstone, then travels to Bucharest (ROM), Monza (I) and Brno (CZ) in Europe before finishing in Dubai in November. Some owners may also plan on entering the non Championship GT3 race within the Spa 24 Hours event in Belgium at the end of July.
JAGUAR XKR GT3 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Engine: Supercharged 4.2 litre, V8 petrol
Transmission: Hewland 6-speed sequential trans-axle
Steering: Electric hydraulic power assisted
Clutch: Alcon 140mm triple-plate carbon/carbon
Suspension: 4-way adjustable coil over dampers
Brakes: Alcon 6-pot front callipers on 375mm discs; Alcon 4-pot rear callipers on 330mm discs
Wheels and tyres: OZ Racing 18 x 11” rims front and rear; Michelin 11” racing tyres front and rear
Body: Aluminium with integrated T45 steel roll cage
Length: 4900mm
Width: 1892mm
Wheelbase: 2752mm
Maximum power: 475+ bhp
Power to weight ratio: TBA
Maximum torque: TBA
Posted in World Cars, Passenger Cars, Tuning Cars, JAGUAR | No Comments »
Friday, January 21st, 2005
Details info: Alternative names:
Jaguar X-type Limousine 4d
Sales Company:
Available version:
2.0 - 2.1 V6 24v aut.
2.0 - 2.1 V6 24v
2.0d - 2.0 16v CRDi
2.5 V6 24v Awd
2.5 V6 24v Awd aut.
3.0 V6 24v Awd
3.0 V6 24v Awd aut.
Previous version:
Variation:
Limousine 4d
Estate 5d
(2003 - )
Info:
Introduced as recently as last summer, the four-wheel-drive model was Jaguar’s attempt to stave off criticism from traditional Jaguar fans that the company had reverted from rear-wheel-drive to using a front-driven platform for its first “small” Jaguar since the Mark Two of the early-1960s. That front-driven platform actually came from a superb donor; the Ford Mondeo. As a result, when the latest front-drive X-type was launched in March 2002, it came as no surprise to realise that the new entry-level model is actually the best one.
Assembly Plants:
Donors:
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Friday, January 21st, 2005
Details info: Alternative names:
Jaguar XK8 Cabrio 2d
Sales Company:
Available version:
XK8 - 4.2 V8 32v aut.
XKR - 4.2 V8 32v Compressor aut.
Previous version:
XK8 - 4.0 V8 32v aut.
XKR - 4.0 V8 32v Compressor aut.
Variation:
Cabrio 2d
Coupé 2d
Info:
At one time vaunted as “The World’s Most Beautiful Car”, the XK8 is ageing very well and still presents an attractive face in the large luxury coupe segment of the market. It is also a good seller.
Assembly Plants:
Karmann (Germany)
Donors:
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Thursday, January 20th, 2005
Details info: Alternative names:
Jaguar XJ LWB
Sales Company:
Available version:
Super V8 - 4.2 V8 32v Compressor aut.
XJ8 - 3.5 V8 32v aut.
XJ8 - 4.2 V8 32v aut.
Previous version:
XJ6 - 3.0 V6 24v aut.
XJ8 - 3.5 V8 32v aut.
XJ8 - 4.2 V8 32v aut.
XJR - 4.2 V8 32v Compressor aut.
Variation:
Limousine 4d
(SWB)
(2003 - )
Limousine 4d
(LWB)
(2004 - )
Info:
Assembly Plants:
Donors:
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