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Jaguar takes the next step in developing the C-X75 supercar
  We’ve all been patiently waiting for Jaguar to prepare a production version of their impressive C-X75 Concept released in 2010, and we’re going to be waiting even longer since the production model won’t be unveiled until 2014. That being said, the long road to production will be paved with milestones to keep us entertained, including TaTa’s official opening of the factory that will build the gas turbines for the supercar. This factory is the Bladon Jets Engineering Center in Coventry where 15 people will work on developing the micro gas turbines. A turbine develops 95 HP and weighs 77 lbs. It has fewer moving parts than an internal combustion engine and doesn’t need oil lubrication or water cooling, which offers packaging and weight advantages. The tricky part is that not all of the C-X75 units will combine these turbines with four independent electric motors at each wheel. The majority units will be powered by a a four-cylinder turbo engine developed by Formula One team Williams. It’s a small step towards production, but it’s a step nonetheless. Jaguar celebrates 20 years of the XJ220
Launched in 1992, the XJ220 was the fastest Jaguar ever produced. 20 years later, it still maintains the title, making it an iconic vehicle to be celebrated. And as part of its 20th anniversary celebration, Jaguar has released a number of images to show it off. The Jaguar XJ220 started off as a concept in 1988 designed by Keith Helfet and was never intended for production. However, after an overwhelming response at the auto show, Jaguar went on to see its viability as a production model. What they ended up with was a limited run of 350 units. The first customer car was completed in June 1992 with a retail price of £470,000 (about $737,000 at the current exchange rates). The XJ220 remained in production until 1994. The Jaguar XJ220 was powered by a 3.5-liter, twin turbo V6 engine that delivered a total of 550 HP and 475 lbs-ft of torque. The engine was mated to a five-speed gearbox and an AP Racing twin-plate clutch. This amount of power was enough to sprint the car from 0 to 60 mph in under 4 seconds. Also, with an impressive top speed of 213mph, the XJ220 had the highest maximum speed of any production car at that time. 2014 Jaguar XFR-S
Jaguar certainly knew what they were doing when they presented the XKR-S at this year’s Geneva Motor Show and now they are bringing yet another spark to their lineup with an XF version of the speedier package. At this same event, the company also confirmed a future compact model that will compete with the BMW 3-Series, a four-cylinder diesel option for XF in Europe, a 4x4 drivetrain targeting North America, and a petrol V6 option for the XJ luxury sedan in China. The firm’s global brand director Adrian Hallmark said in a recent interview: "’I can confirm there is a project to transfer the upgrades from the XKR-S to the XFR, but we haven’t confirmed it for production yet. But it would be great to see the XF with 550hp!" Jaguar has yet to offer any real details on the future RS package for the XF sedan, but the 550 HP engine from the XKR-S will surely transfer over. Our recent spy shots show the wheels from the XKR-S will also used for the XFR-S. UPDATE 02/02/2012: In an interview with Autocar, a senior company insider has confirmed that Jaguar is indeed working on an XFR-S sports sedan that will take on models like the BMW M5. The new model will be powered by a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine that will deliver a total of 550 HP. As for the exterior, it will receive the same treatment as the XKR-S. On the British market, the XFR-S will be priced at about £70K, or about $110,000 at the current rates. 2013 Jaguar XKR-S Convertible
Jaguar made a sensational decision in producing the XKR-S Coupe and they have decided it’s time to expand the impressive line-up with the addition of a new Convertible model. The new XKR-S Convertible made its world debut at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show and is the most powerful and fastest open-topped GT Jaguar has ever built. The convertible uses the same 5.0-liter supercharged AJ-V8 engine as the coupe version. It delivers a total of 543 HP and a peak torque of 502 lbs-ft; enough power to sprint the car from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds on its way up to a top speed of 186 mph. Just like the coupe version, the XKR-S Convertible received an impressive aerodynamic package that helps maintain stability in an open-topped car capable of speeds as high as 186mph. More than that, all the exterior changes make the XKR-S look more aggressive and sportier than ever. Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar Global Brand Director says, "There is nothing as liberating as life behind the wheel of an open-topped Jaguar and the new XKR-S Convertible takes the Jaguar GT experience to new heights." UPDATE 02/02/2012: Jaguar has unveiled a new video showing the XKR-S Convertible as it plays in the snow somewhere in Finland. Enjoy! More details on the 2012 Jaguar XKR-S after the jump. Full story 2012 Jaguar XF SE Business & Sport Edition
After revealing the XJ Sport and Speed at the end of 2011, Jaguar has added two more special editions to their lineup, this time for the XF. The SE Business and Sport Editions can now be ordered on the British market, with prices starting at £31,500 ($49,000 at the current exchange rates) and £34,950 ($54,400 at the current rates) respectively. The Jaguar XF SE Business version is based on the recently launched 163 HP 2.2 Diesel XF and adds a satellite navigation system complete with a seven inch touchscreen and HDD mapping. Next to these features, the model will be offered with intelligent start stop, a 400W sound system with DAB digital radio, leather and suedecloth seats, and bi-Xenon headlights. The Jaguar XF SE Sport edition is based on the 190 HP 2.2 Diesel model and is distinguished by a full aerodynamic pack that includes a revised front bumper, a black grille element, side sill extensions, a subtle rear boot lid spoiler, and a black rear valance. The interior gets half leather suedecloth seats, a bond grain trim, and dove contrast stitch. The center console was dressed up with Piano black trim with ’Sport’ decals and the pedals in stainless steel. Practical additions include a heated front windscreen and front seats, a front parking aid plus a reversing camera, and 60/40 folding rear seats. TopSpeed’s Best of 2011: Sportscar of the Year
Before we even get into the top list of sportscar for 2011, we think it would be best to clear something up: the new Porsche 911 would have definitely made the list if it wasn’t for the fact that it won’t be hitting Stateside until 2013. That being said, we have a few top hitters for 2011 that we would be foolish not to take notice of. It was a battle trying to choose between the plethora of options provided in the sports car segment, but what we ended up with was a range of 450 HP to 560 HP, 0-60 mph sprint times between 4.6 seconds and 3.7 seconds, and speeds topping out between 186 mph and 198 mph. Among the sportscar heavyweights is the intoxicating Jaguar XKR-S, the luscious BMW M5, the curvaceous Chevolet Camaro Z06, and the maddening Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale. Hit the jump to check out each of these scintillating sports cars in detail. Full story TopSpeed’s Best of 2011: Concept of the Year
There are so many auto shows throughout the course of the year that it’s hard to keep up with all of the cool concepts brought to each one. Then again, some of these concepts are so outlandish that they will never see the light of production day anyway, leaving us with the feeling of being offered a delectable chocolate cake only to be reminded of our New Year’s weight loss resolution. Even if production chances are slim for some, concepts hold a special place in all of our hearts because of the attention to detail automakers put into them. Automakers use these concepts to put out just how much they are capable of doing and quite possibly may do on their future models. From three different, color coordinated layers of information to V12 engines with spectacular power outputs, concepts have a way of getting underneath our skin and staying there until the production model is attained. This year, our choices are unmistakable and in no particular order: the Jaguar C-X16 Concept, the BMW i8 Concept, the Aston Martin V12 Zagato Concept, the Chevrolet Mi-Ray Concept, and the Nissan Juke Nismo Concept. Hit the jump for details on each of these imaginative concepts. Full story 2011 Jaguar XJ by Startech
Startech has come out with a new program for the 2011 Jaguar XJ, complete with a new aerodynamic kit and a retooled interior that pushes the luxury refinements on the Big Cat saloon to a new level. The German tuner is considered one of the best aftermarket companies in the market and it tripped out on the Jag with an aero kit that includes Startech front attachments mounted to the production bumper. The attachments also come with air inlets that add a touch of sportiness and aggressiveness to the XJ. Integrated into the side air inlets are LED daytime running lights that add an element of class and sophistication to the car. The front fenders on the car were also treated with integrated air outlets and side sills that have been attached to the wheel arches. As for the rear, Startech applied a new fascia that has its own integrated diffuser whereas two integrated ’design’ panels provide the trademark Startech looks and a subtle rear spoiler lip on the trunk lid creates aerodynamic balance on the XJ. The luxury car also sits on a new set of 21" Startech Monostar J Diamond Edition wheels that were designed using state-of-the-art forging technology. The interior of the Jaguar XJ also got some fancy digs courtesy of Startech. It’s not a surprise that the German tuner dressed up the XJ with a multitude of different leather and Alcantara colors. The elaborate black, high-gloss polished piano wood is another highlight of the interior, as is the state-of-the-art multimedia system centered on an Apple iPad, and the electrically deployed tables with leather-trimmed consoles, a Bluetooth keyboard from Apple, and a 20 MBit/s GSM modem that has been integrated into the vehicle to provide a high-speed internet connection through EDGE, HSDPA or HSPA+ protocols. Video: Jaguar XKR-S vs. XJ220
Twenty years ago, Jaguar hit it big with the XJ220 supercar which set a production-car lap record at the Nurburgring race track. Time has past, but Jaguar is still churning out some pretty fantastic models, including the Jaguar XKR-S launched this year at the Geneva Motor Show. So what happens when you put the two supercars next to each other? That’s what Chris Harris from British magazine, EVO, did when he had the opportunity to test the two vehicles. The XKR-S may have been left way behind the XJ220, but who cares? We still love the XKR-S with its AJ-V8 all-aluminum powerplant with twin-vortex Roots-type supercharger delivering 550 HP and its impressive top speed of 186 mph! By comparison, the XJ220 is powered by a 3,498cc 24-valve twin turbo V6 engine with 542bhp and can hit a top speed of 220 mph. Video: BMW M5 vs Porsche Panamera S vs Mercedes E63 AMG vs Jaguar XFR
British magazine, EVO, has gone out and pitted a few more competitors against each other to determine which is the better ride. Starting with the very cool BMW M5, EVO gathered up its competitors - the Porsche Panamera S, Mercedes E63 AMG, and Jaguar XFR - for a little one on three action. Let’s break it down with some numbers. The M5’s 560 HP went up against the 550 HP from the Panamera, the 525 HP from the E63 AMG, and the 510 HP from the XF-R. Basically, the test served up 2,145 HP of phenomenal power, but which sports car landed on top of the heap? Before watching the video, try to take a stab at who crossed the finish-line first. You may be surprised. We’ll give you a one hint: the Panamera turned out to be the laziest from them all. | featured reviews:Jaguar cars reviews2015 2014 2013 2012
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