Facelifted Jaguar XKR debuts at Detroit Auto Show

Jaguar has updated its XK Coupe, Convertible and performance XKR range for the 2010 model year, and will showcase the new lineup at this month's Detroit Auto Show. With all-new engines, revised styling, a new interior, an advanced lightweight aluminum body structure and a wider range of models, the updated XK range has reached a new level of performance and luxury that should allow it to keep up with its rivals in the upmarket GT segment. The flagship model of the range is once again the XKR sports model, which for 2010 sports a new supercharged 5.0L AJ-V8 Gen III engine generating 510hp and 461lb-ft of torque. 2010 Jaguar XKR

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Jaguar XF-R official photos and details leak ahead of Detroit reveal

Built to rival BMW's M5, Mercedes-Benz's E63 AMG and Audi's RS6, the new Jaguar XF-R looks every inch the true rival in these newly leaked official photos. The details that accompany the images indicate it will be a match in terms of power as well, rated at 510hp (380kW). The information leaked matches well with previous expectations. The XF-R has been no stranger to the spy camera, captured as recently as last week undergoing camouflaged testing. It is scheduled for an official debut in just a few days at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, however, so it's not surprising that official images have emerged. 2010 Jaguar XF-R Official photo leak

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Spy shots: More Jaguar XF-R

If Jaguar is serious about pitting its XF saloon against the BMW 5-series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, it will have to expand its lineup beyond the current handful of models. Jaguar currently has two gaping holes in its XF range, an entry-level model to rival the 2.0L diesel BMW 5-series and Audi A6 in Europe, and a performance flagship to compete with the likes of the RS6, E63 and M5. Officials are yet to green-light the launch of a new base model but we do know there's a range-topping XF-R in the works. 2010 Jaguar XF-R

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Spy shots: Barely disguised 2010 Jaguar XKR facelift

Prototypes for Jaguar's facelifted XK have been spotted testing in the UK and Germany ahead of the updated model's world debut, which is expected to take place at next week's Detroit Auto Show. In the past we have seen images for both the standard XK coupe and convertible, as well as a mystery test-mule for what is believed to be Jaguar's future performance diesel or hybrid powertrain. Last year there were also shots of a prototype for a new range topping XK that will sit above the current XKR flagship. 2009 Jaguar XK cabrio facelift spy shots

 

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Land Rover to benefit from new Jaguar diesel

Jaguar recently revealed details for its brand new AJ-V6D Gen III S 3.0L six-cylinder turbodiesel engine, which in its most powerful trim is rated at 271hp (202kW) and 443lb-ft (600Nm) of torque. A less powerful 237hp (177kW) is also available and according to latest reports the new twin-turbocharged commonrail mill is destined for use by Land Rover in the Discovery and Range Rover Sport SUVs. The engines will debut in the 2010 Jaguar XF, including the all-new XF Diesel S model that will go on sale in Europe in the next couple of months. 2009 Range Rover Sport facelift 2

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Spy shots: Barely disguised Jaguar XF-R

If Jaguar is serious about pitting its XF saloon against the BMW 5-series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, it will have to expand its lineup beyond the current handful of models. Jaguar currently has two gaping holes in its XF range, an entry-level model to rival the 2.0L diesel BMW 5-series and Audi A6 in Europe, and a performance flagship to compete with the likes of the RS6, E63 and M5. Officials are yet to green-light the launch of a new base model but we do know there's a range-topping XF-R in the works. 2010 Jaguar XF-R

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Jaguar-Land Rover in secret aid talks with UK Government

The world economy, and especially the automotive industry, is amidst one of the toughest times in several decades or more. Rebuilding confidence in that economy and boosting sales back to profitable levels will be a difficult task - one Jaguar-Land Rover CEO David Smith doesn't want to tackle alone, so he's asking the UK government for help. The latest reports indicate that secret talks between the carmaker and the British government are already underway. Jaguar-Land Rover refused to confirm or speculate on any meetings with the government, reports Automotive News Europe, but the company has previously backed a government bid to aid manufacturing in the UK, in addition to its own calls last month to improve the financial situation for the industry as a whole.

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Jaguar insider reveals plans for XF Roadster and Coupe

Coinciding with similar statements earlier this month from Ratan Tata, the boss of Tata Motors and the current owner of Jaguar, is a new report claiming plans for coupe and convertible versions of the XF have been given the green light. According to an inside source, who spoke recently with AutoExpress, Tata has confirmed several sporty new models for development, including versions based on the XK and a brand new model as well. The first of these will likely be an XF convertible, rumored to be called the XF Roadster.

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Jaguar S-Type Review

Jaguar is a dead brand walking. Analysts blame stagnant styling for its sales somnambulism. To rectify the aesthetic deficit, the man behind the universally beloved Aston Martin range penned the universally beliked Jaguar XK (that looks like an Aston Martin) and the upcoming XF (that looks like a Volvo). While Jag fans hope the recently released XF will revive the brand's fortunes, the model it replaces soldiers on for another year. I got cozy with the doomed 2008 4.2 liter V8 S-Type to see what no one-- or everyone-- seems to be missing.

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2009 Jaguar XF Supercharged Review

Last week, the Americans sold Jaguar to the Indians. After losing billions on the English marque, Ford finally unloaded their perennial loss maker on Tata Motors. Amidst varying reports on the Indian conglomerate's plans for the brand, the new XF sedan continues to roll down the assembly line. We've already driven the base model of the car that is (for now) Tata's greatest hope for immediate profit. Now we turn to the Supercharged model. Stateside, acquiring the XF Supercharged requires an extra ten grand (and the rest) above than the base car's base price. Is it worth it?

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2009 Jaguar XF Review

Last month, U.S. Jag dealers sold just over a thousand new cars, despite cut-rate financing. While the entire U.S. car market is going South, Jaguar's stuffy image is sending the venerable marque Hades-wise in a supersonic hand basket. The new XF midrange sedan is supposed to reverse these declining fortunes by burying memories of the bulbous, fusty, pudenda-fronted S-Type (not to mention the execrable X-Type). I grabbed an XF fresh off the transporter to see if Jag's lobbing snowballs in Hell.

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Jaguar Sportwagon Review

As far as I'm concerned, Jaguar died the day the suits killed the F-Type. Jag's prototype Boxster beater had it all: sexy looks, the promise of phenomenal performance and a decent chance of hitting the right price point. But oh no, the American owned company decided to spend its time and money building… diesels. And a badge engineered Ford Mondeo called the X-Type. And estates— sorry, "sportwagons." So, seven years later, I found myself behind the wheel of Jaguar's perfect storm: a diesel X-Type Sportwagon. Or, as the Brits say, the dog's breakfast.

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Jaguar XK8 Review

Let's get this out of the way: the Jaguar XK8 is a grill-challenged automobile.  It's as if Ford sent all their leftover Taurus grills to the UK and then leaned on Jaguar engineers to find them a home.  Or maybe the XK8's grill was intended as a comeuppance; a punishment to the brand's designers for daring to create a "new" car that borrows so heavily from their up-market British cousin's two-door. Or maybe the wide mouth bass grill is all about brand differentiation; a stylistic non-flourish designed to ensure that no potential buyer confuses the Jaguar XK8 and the Aston Martin DB9.  Now if someone had grafted the front end of a BMW 650i to the XK, we might have had something…

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Jaguar XJR Review

The Jaguar XJR is an iconic car. No wait. I mean, it's an ironic car: an automobile with a huge gap between expectation and reality. For example, you expect a leather-lined British luxury sedan to literally reek of class. The XJR smells of… nothing. You expect the torch bearer for Jaguar's performance heritage to handle corners with cat-like reflexes. It doesn't. And yet, the XJR perfectly embodies the Jaguar creed of "pace and grace". Truth be told, the XJR is both more and less than it seems. On the more side, the XJR will pleasantly disappoint anyone expecting dodgy electrics, rusting panels and faulty mechanicals. While JD Power's Initial Quality Survey is more about customer satisfaction than build quality, the brand's ascension to the second place slot is a reasonable reflection of the XJR's reliability. No part of the sports sedan seemed predisposed to rot, break, fall off or fail. It's a thoroughly modern machine.

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Paramount XKR Review

The Jaguar XK8 is a classic. Six years after its debut, the design is still fresh, bold and dramatic. It's one of those cars that somehow looks fast standing still. Okay, viewed from the side, the boot is about two feet too long- thanks to US regulations requiring all expensive cars to accommodate two golf bags. Even so, the Jag rules. Freshened Porsches, Mercs, Beemers and Lexi still can't compete with the XK's svelte aggression. Slinking into the club's parking lot, the Jag proclaims, 'Look out boys, this cat has claws!' Except it doesn't. Yes, the XK is fast. The standard 4.0 litre car zooms from zero to sixty in 6.6 seconds. The supercharged XKR makes the same dash in 5.1. But anyone who loves life (or hates insurance forms) shouldn't try to carry that speed into a corner. The heavyweight XK8 is a cleverly disguised boulevard cruiser. Ask it to change directions quickly and, well, hippo-type wallowing ensues. It doesn't matter if you try to counter the XK's 'hard-a-starboard' body roll with brakes, acceleration, opposite lock or prayer. Bad things happen. Owners quickly learn to restrict their fun to straight-line blasts or slow motion posing.

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