The 2011 New York Auto Show provided the perfect setting for Jaguar’s release of the facelift version of the XF sedan, but Jaguar seemed to already be back at work even before that reveal. New rumors are circulating that suggest the company is planning to build a new plant in the UK for the construction of a brand-new six-cylinder engine that will be used in the XF, and possibly in the XJ as well. This new engine will even be offered on the US market.
So far, the Jaguar XF is offered with a 5.0 liter V8 engine in the U.S. market, while the European market can also take advantage of a 2.2 liter diesel four-engine, a 3.0 liter diesel six-cylinder, and a 3.0 liter V6. The new engine will replace the current V6 and may be able to deliver around 300 Hp, up from the current 240 HP, with the use of an eight-speed automatic. This seems to be the final step before jumping on the hybrid wagon with everyone else. Gas prices aren’t slowing down on their consistent northward climb, so a more efficient engine is definitely a move on the right direction.
The new V6 should appear in the XF or XJ sometime in early 2013 or 2014.
After what seemed to be a flop of an auto show in 2009, the AutoRai is said to come back this year chock full of automakers ready to show off the best of their work. One luxury automaker making its presence known will be Jaguar with two special editions designed by Jaguar’s chief designer, Ian Callum. The two models are called the XF and XJ Designer Editions and will be limited to only 20 units each.
The XF Designer Edition is based on the 3.0 liter V6 version and will feature Bi-Xenon headlights, 19 inch alloy wheels in Artura Stratus Grey metallic paint or Ultimate Black, a heated leather steering wheel, standard sports seats, and a heated windshield.
The XJ Designer Edition is based on the same 3.0 liter V6 version and will be distinguished by a leather headliner, a Bowers & Wilkins 1200W audio system, a TV tuner, and a Dual View display on the Touch HD Screen.
Both models have been painted in Stratus Grey London and combined with tan leather upholstery and a Piano Black dash finish. Sales will begin in May 2011 with the XF Designer getting a price tag of € 77,790 ($110,000 at the current exchange rates), while the XJ Designer will sell for € 121,290 ($171,000 at the current exchange rates).
Jaguar unveiled the C-X75 Concept car at the 2010 Paris Auto Show to show everyone that they had plenty of potential left to uncover as an automaker. And, although the concept was a huge success and served its purpose, Jaguar still needed to prove that this potential prevailed in more than just a design study. Now, under Tata’s influential arm, Jaguar is looking into building "a more accessible variation of the C-X75 concept." Turns out the translation of this statement is a sports car with the C-X75 look and a more conventional engine. There are no details for this model just yet, nor is there any official confirmation of its production, but we’re adding it to our list of models likely to be built within the next few years.
Tata’s influence over Jaguar is further illustrated in their future lineup, which includes a lightweight XKR R-type Spyder, a high-performance diesel, and, yes, a crossover that will take on models like the Audi Q5. The British luxury automaker is also working on a coupe version of the current XJ luxury sedan featuring a shortened wheelbase and described as "much more dynamic and emotional than a Mercedes CL."
Out of the all year-end lists we compiled, picking the top sedan of the year was quite honestly the most difficult of them all.
First of all, the choices are limitless compared to the other segments. Second of all, 2010 has been characterized as a year when sedans - be it entry level ones or luxury types - have become as popular as ever. And lastly, picking one over another has become a matter of preference - and to a certain extent, budget constraints.
For our list, we’ve narrowed it down to five models, all of which are worthy of being hailed as 2010’s top sedan. In this list, three are of German descent, one is of Japanese origin, while the other is British-born. From our hints, you can probably surmise which models made it, but for the sake of suspense, we’re not going to spoil anything.
Head over after the jump for the full details.
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The Top Gear trio of Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond may be all fun and jokes in front of the camera, but despite their cunning wit and silly banter, these three all share a unique similarity: they know everything and anything there is to know about cars.
When they say a car is good or bad, their opinions carry more clout than the standard human because they’ve done their homework through countless hours of testing, free drives, and taped segments on the show. And now that we’re nearing the end of an amazingly eventful year, the trio have decided to finally release their choice of vehicles that will be included in the 11th Top Gear Awards.
With categories ranging from Hypercar of the Year, Grand Tourer of the Year, Coupe of the Year, and even Engine of the Year, the three hosts took everything they’ve seen, heard, and driven in 2010 to come up with a winner for each respective category.
In addition to these categories, Clarkson, May, and Hammond also picked their favorite cars of the year regardless of make, model, and type. Care to find out the award winners?
Check them out after the jump.
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