Jaguar brought out the XF back in 2008 as a replacement model for the old S-Type in 2008. Three years later and it’s time for the luxury sedan to get a little refreshing in the form of a facelift. The revised XF made its debut today at the New York Auto Show and will be followed by diesel and station wagon versions at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
The facelift XF will come with revised front and rear end styling inspired by the XJ sedan. It will also get new engines, including a diesel. The new Ford/PSA-developed 2,200 cc engine is the same one that will be used for the Range Rover Evoque and will deliver a total of 187 HP. The engine will come with a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox that will send the power to the rear wheels. And since it is equipped with start-stop technology, the new engine will emit less than 130 g/km of CO2.
UPDATE 05/04/2011: We have added two new videos of the 2012 XF for your utter enjoyment. The first video stars Ian Callum as he talks about the 2012 model year design and the second video showcases both the XF and XF-R models by showing us every angle of the two cars up close.
UPDATE 06/28/2011: We have added new images to the XF high res picture gallery.
More details on the Jaguar XF after the jump.
Full story
Dressed in a burnt orange paint finish and looking shiny and smug, Fox Marketing’s take on the Lexus CT 200h is what we call a smoking hot hatch ready to rumble with the best of ‘em.
The car was introduced at the New York Auto Show where Fox Marketing showed off the reworked Japanese hot hybrid hatch with a new Eaton supercharger and a Climax Racing intake manifold. When added to the CT 200h’s 1.8-liter VVT-i petrol engine, these elements can turn the hot hatch into a 300-horsepower piece of hybrid awesomeness. Since it’s a hybrid, Fox also gave the car’s batteries a good upgrade, although details of that remain unknown - at least for now.
With the added ponies under the hood, Fox also gave the CT 200h a new and customized suspension system with 13” Baer brakes to go with a set of 20” wheels wrapped in 225/30-series tires. And just to give it more aesthetic spunk, Fox also dressed up the car with some new duds. On top of the metallic burnt orange paint, the aftermarket company gave the CT 200h a wide body kit with three-inch fender flares, a set of Yonaka racing seats, and LED Lexus logos on the door panels.
Save for a few, we don’t have a whole big fascination for hatchbacks, but if this is what a reworked Lexus CT 200h is going to look like, then sign us up!
The New York Auto Show was treated to quite a surprise when rock music legends KISS made a surprise appearance to officially introduce four MINI Countryman vehicles, each wearing one of the band member’s world-famous face paints.
Each of the cars were dressed up with their own unique paint finishes bearing the face paint of each of the four members of the rock band. While the cars aren’t going to be sold to the public, all four special edition Countrymans will be auctioned off during a special Father’s Day eBay charity auction to raise money for UNICEF and its attempts to assist the children of Japan. The auction is scheduled for May 29th, 2011, which, incidentally, is Father’s Day.
The tie-up between MINI and KISS is a joined effort in providing assistance to the people of Japan who were struck with a devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami last month. "Our hearts go out to the people of Japan in this time of great tragedy. We wanted to help and also to provide a real way for the KISS Army to get involved," said Gene Simmons, the frontman of KISS.
"UNICEF raises money to help children who are still coping with the effects of these disasters, and also supports other very important emergency relief efforts around the world. Join the KISS Army in giving."
While the cars are set up to be auctioned off on Father’s Day, fans of the both MINI and KISS who won’t be able to buy the cars will get a chance to dress up their MINIs with KISS-inspired wraps, which MINI USA introduced on April 21, 2011. Just like the special edition cars themselves, all proceeds from the sales of these wraps will be given to UNICEF.
UPDATE 06/01/11: The four special edition MINI Countryman KISS Edition is now up on eBay and is currently being auctioned off. Here’s your chance to post your bids and if you want it bad enough, you can own any one of these four special edition MINIs. Keep the bids coming, people! It’s for a great cause!
Video and Press Release after the jump
Full story
Chrysler is further expanding their 300 line-up with the addition of the new 300S models, offered in both V6 and V8 versions. The new models will arrive at Chrysler dealerships in the fall of 2011.
"No chrome . . . no wood . . . matte carbon fiber finishes . . . unique black or Radar Red leather . . . our biggest wheels, and world’s first integration of Beats by Dr. Dre audio technology – the best standard audio system period. This is the new Chrysler 300S and it has an attitude that comes through loud and clear," said Olivier Francois, President and CEO — Chrysler Brand and Lead Executive for Marketing, Chrysler Group LLC. "For the Chrysler brand, it’s not just about design, it’s about substance. And with the Chrysler team working with Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine for months, I know the new 300S with its mapped sound waves, designed algorithms and unique Beats Audio components are a direct result from our model collaboration – a partnership between an OEM and the music industry – that makes the 300S perform with the power to play music as the artist intended it to be heard."
Hit the jump to read more about the Chrysler 300S. Full story
Next to the 2013 Malibu, Chevrolet also brought at the New York Auto Show the Eco version, a model that comes equipped with new fuel-saving eAssist technology. The new Eco version will be sold next to the Malibu LS, LT and LTZ version starting the summer of 2012.
"The Malibu ECO is a smart choice for customers who want excellent fuel economy without the price premium of popular hybrid sedans," said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. "The Malibu ECO’s 38-mpg highway estimate is comparable with those hybrids. Malibu ECO exemplifies Chevrolet’s drive to use technology that delivers high-value, gas-friendly performance. In fact, the Malibu ECO delivers the fuel economy of a compact car in a midsize sedan."
The eAssist system uses a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery and an electric motor-generator to enable regenerative braking electric assist and start-stop functionality. With this system the new Malibu Eco will deliver an impressive 26 mpg on city driving and 38 mpg on the highway.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu Eco.
Full story
