Autoblog

Report: Jaguar X-Type replacement aims to fight the 3 Series

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, SUV, Wagon, Jaguar, Land Rover

With the all the news coming out of Jaguar, it's obvious its Indian parents are intent on making the leaping cat a credible competitor to the world's luxury automakers. To wit: not only has Jag green-lit the XE - a next-generation XK-based competitor to the Porsche Boxster - it ready to take the fight to the BMW 3 Series in the form of a reborn X-Type.

While the previous Mondeo-based X-Type fared poorly during its run, Tata Motor's chief executive, Carl-Peter Forster, told Automobilwoche that in order for the British brand to compete on a global scale, a smaller sedan is a requirement. To that end, a new sedan is under development to slot in below the XF, likely utilizing a new aluminum architecture based on its next-generation sedan.

In addition to X-Type replacement and the new, smaller coupe - rumored to arrive in 2012 - Forster says that work is underway on a long-wheelbase version of the XF for the Chinese market and a wagon version of Jag's mid-size sedan is slated for sale in Europe (XFR estate, anyone?).

On the Land Rover front, the recently revealed Evoque is the first of three new products to debut in the next five years, including an all-new Freelander with seating for seven and a revised Defender which is set to arrive in 2015.

[Source: Automobilwoche]

Report: Jaguar X-Type replacement aims to fight the 3 Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tata out to raise $1 billion to reduce debt and expand JLR product line

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 06:58:00 EST

Filed under: Jaguar, Land Rover, Earnings/Financials, Tata

2011 Jaguar XJ - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford spent a fortune to buy Jaguar in 1989 and Land Rover in 2000, then spent billions on each of them getting them into fighting shape. Tata spent billions to buy JLR in 2008, and has since been raising and spending billions to retain their fighting shape and get them even fitter. The Indian firm is planning a funding round via shares, equity and the like in order to scare up another $1 billion.

Tata is a massive conglomerate and the funds will go to reducing the company's overall debt-to-equity ratio, but the number we were most interested in was £600 million pounds - almost the entire amount of the funding round, $908 million. That's the amount Tata says it will spend this year on new product development at at JLR.

In May we were told that Tata would invest £1 billion per year on JLR, but we won't quibble about being short £400 million for now with the Evoque, a meaner XKR, an XE and maybe also an F-Type being forged. So even if the Ford and Tata initial experience with JLR sound familiar, we give Tata credit: for all those billions they're spending, there isn't an X-Type in sight.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Jaguar XJ

[Source: Bloomberg]

Tata out to raise $1 billion to reduce debt and expand JLR product line originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 06:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Jaguar XE small sports car to debut at 2011 Geneva Motor Show

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 18:41:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Jaguar, Rumormill

As Tata Motors continues to shovel money into the expansion of the Jaguar and Land Rover marques, expect to see more and more new products from the two brands over the next few years. We've already seen the new Evoque, Land Rover's small crossover, and new reports state that Jaguar's new small sports car will be revealed in concept form at next year's Geneva Motor Show.

These rumblings come right on the heels of Jaguar reportedly saying that it will produce a version of the F-Type sports car, though it's still unclear if the Geneva-bound XE is a different model altogether. According to Inside Line, the XE will be based on a shortened version of the next-generation XK architecture. If the concept stays true to most of Jaguar's recent designs, it should be quite eye-catching, as well.

We fully expect more and more details to drop about the new XE in the coming months, so stay tuned for updates.

[Source: Inside Line]

Report: Jaguar XE small sports car to debut at 2011 Geneva Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Jaguar planning major overhaul?

Chris Shunk — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:31:00 EST

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.

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Rendered speculation: Jaguar XE roadster

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Performance, Jaguar

It's no secret Jaguar is working on a small roadster dubbed the XE, and according to AutoCar, the design staff at Jaguar are struggling to finalize the look of the BMW Z4-sized drop-top.

Apparently, the original plan was to give the XE an oval shaped grille handed down from the old D- and E-types. Now they're leaning toward a shape more like the XF and new XJ. The roadster is planned to be a front engine, rear drive car possibly based on the aluminum chassis of the XK, but part of the problem with finalizing the XE is the future direction of the XK. Some at Jaguar favor growing the XK to compete with the likes of the Maserati Gran Turismo to make room for the XE.

However, if the XK stays the same size, it could be problematic to make room for the XE and make it different. We vote for keeping the XK the same size and creating a smaller XE roadster.

[Source: AutoCar]

Rendered speculation: Jaguar XE roadster originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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X-Type Redux? Jaguar reportedly considering entry-level coupe

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Jaguar

To put it mildly, sales of the Jaguar X-Type have never quite lived up to worldwide expectations, and that's especially true in the American market where the car did way more damage to the automaker's reputation that its middling sales numbers were ever worth. Jaguar is hoping that its upcoming XJ restores some of the leaping cat's lost luster, and if that happens, exciting prospects may very well open up for the classic British automaker.

Not surprisingly, there are no plans to replace the X-Type in Jaguar's line, but there are a number of options that the automaker could explore for future automobiles - not the least of which is the rumored XE compact sportscar. Engineering chief Mick Mohan tells Autocar that another possibility would be an entry-level coupe that could sport a sticker price several thousand dollars under that of the XF:

Personally, I'd love to make a compact coupe - an Audi A5 or BMW 3 Series coupe rival. There's plenty of profit to be made on those cars, and our aluminum platform technology gives us the opportunity to make one. I think we'd make a really good one too.

One more interesting tidbit from Mohan is that Jaguar has absolutely no intention of following Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz into the crossover market. "Utility will never be what we're about", he says, and somehow, we're thankful for that.

[Source: Autocar]

X-Type Redux? Jaguar reportedly considering entry-level coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: 2012 Jaguar sports car to get Volt-like extended-range hybrid tech?

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:55:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Green, Jaguar

Ratan Tata, Jaguar's owner, knows that the future of the company rests on "shiny and new" products. That's why the XE roadster was reportedly moved to the front of the line and given a 2011 release date. If the soothsayers at Motor Trend are correct, Tata also understands that cleaner engines are the future of the industry itself, because the XE could also bolster Jaguar's credentials by reportedly including the option of a Volt-like range-extending hybrid drivetrain.

The mooted gas-electric system is a conventional three-cylinder gasoline engine mated to an electric motor. It is also being suggested by MT that the concept XE may be fitted with that powerplant, but it might not make it to the production version.

If it does come to market, however, the car probably won't have any natural competition at its price point given its green credentials, with the possible exception of the Fisker Karma S. Even if the extended-range hybrid rumor fails to materialize, the coupe is likely to get variants of the company's new 5.0-liter V8 engine range, which presently offers up to 510-horsepower in supercharged form...

[Source: Motor Trend]

Rumormill: 2012 Jaguar sports car to get Volt-like extended-range hybrid tech? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Jaguar XE sportscar to ride on bobbed XK platform?

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:56:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Jaguar, Rumormill

Autocar is reporting that the compact Jaguar XE sports car due in about two years time will be based on a shortened version of the XK's extruded and cast aluminum frame. The dimensions are supposedly going to challenge those of the Mercedes SLK, and that narrower chassis created for the XE could then be lengthened something that would "compete in the compact premium segment."

Engines - which would go up front, not in the middle - could include an outsourced and blown four-cylinder, or a V6 developed from Jaguar's new 5.0-liter V8. Lotus is again tipped to be helping Jaguar sort out the car's dynamics, and might even manufacture the car.

[Source: Autocar]

New Jaguar XE sportscar to ride on bobbed XK platform? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar turns to Lotus for development of new XE

Noah Joseph — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Jaguar, Lotus

Click above to view the 2000 Jaguar F-Type concept in high resolution

According to recent reports, Lotus has its hands filled with more than just Kia. Jaguar is supposedly outsourcing some of the initial development of its anticipated upcoming sportscar to Lotus Engineering. The two British marques, both owned by Asian automakers based just across the Bay of Bengal from each other, recently collaborated on the suspension tuning for the latest Jaguar XKR. But Lotus' involvement in the project, tentatively known as the XE, may be more involved, with Jaguar entrusting Lotus to assess production feasibility before the go-ahead is given and possibly producing the car at its Hethel plant if approved.

If Jaguar and Lotus undertake the partnership to produce the XE, sources suggest a potential debut at the 2011 Geneva show, but it's far too early to tell at this point. Adding another level of intrigue to the debate over what form Jaguar's new sportscar could take, the report suggests that outsourcing the production of a mid-engine supercar was also considered. The plot thickens.

[Source: Autocar]

Jaguar turns to Lotus for development of new XE originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New renderings of Jag's hush-hush supercar

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: Supercars, Jaguar, Rendered Speculation

Will Jaguar's XJ220 supercar finally have a successor? Although Jaguar denies it, Auto Express thinks so, and we hope they're right. While rumors have suggested the return of the F-type as Tata's next project, Auto Express expects Jaguar to show an all-new mid-engine supercar concept within the next year. And they even have some rather artful renderings to back up their claims.

This new Audi R8 competitor would use an all-new aluminum chassis, with the XFR's 503-horsepower, supercharged 5.0-liter V8 powering it from amidships. Expect performance similar to the mildly modified XFR that just ran an incredible 225 miles-per-hour at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Figure on a 0-60 mph run of well under four seconds as well.

What's more, Jaguar is said to be thinking green with this new model too. The car is said to be capable of running on biofuels with CO2 emissions that should be less than 300g/km. With an alloy skin penned by Ian Callum, it should be a looker too. The supercar, which could be called the XE, could possibly be shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 2010. Click over to see two large renderings. Thanks for the tip, Mo!

[Source: Auto Express]

New renderings of Jag's hush-hush supercar originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Jaguar aims at R8 with new mid-engine supercar

Noah Joseph — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Jaguar

Click above to view the 2000 Jaguar F-Type concept in high resolution

Reports from across the pond regarding Jaguar's plans for a new supercar are coming out of the woodwork, but while Autocar contends that Jag is (still) working on the return of the F-type, AutoExpress reports that an all-new mid-engine supercar is coming in concept form within the next year.

While under Ford PAG management, Jaguar cut back its development projects to its core products, but Tata figures there's more than one way to skin a cat. The F-Type was first shown as a concept car in 2000, but was subsequently shelved. However, under Tata's leadership more niche vehicles like the F-Type, which could hit the market by 2011, could make Jaguar a more compelling alternative brand to the big German automakers and help buoy Jaguar's image.

Back in 2001, Jaguar unveiled the R-Coupe concept, which could influence this new Audi R8 competitor. Based on the current XK, and possibly named the XE, the mid-engine coupe would be powered by the XFR's 503-hp supercharged, 5.0-liter V8 and would be the first vehicle from Jag with an engine mounted amidships since the XJ220. According to Jaguar's managing director, Mike O'Driscoll, the "XK is the car that began a revolution for us, but it's not the end of the story. I firmly believe the best car we could build to compliment this is a flagship coupe." If it does come to fruition, expect the XE to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 2010.

Gallery: Jaguar F-Type Concept

[Source: Autocar, AutoExpress]

Rumormill: Jaguar aims at R8 with new mid-engine supercar originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Tata green-lights LRX and Jag sportscar

Noah Joseph — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:32:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Jaguar, Land Rover, Tata

Click on images to view the LRX and F-Type concepts in hi-res

Tata may have spent a huge sum of money in the acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford's Premier Automotive Group, but that won't stop the Indian automaker from approving funding for new projects for its newly-acquired babies.

Among the new vehicles for which Tata has reportedly already given the green light are the Jaguar XE and Land Rover LRX. As we previously reported, the sports car known internally as the XE or F-Type will target the likes of the Porsche 911 and face competition from the upcoming Maserati sportscar in 2012 when it is anticipated to hit the market. Around the same time, Land Rover is expected to bring the LRX to market and produce the sporty ute at Land Rover's plant in Halewood, England. Despite the shift in ownership, the vehicles are tipped to still be produced in the UK, although a large government contract to supply India's armed forces with Land Rover Defenders could result in local manufacturing of that utility vehicle on the subcontinent.

Gallery: Land Rover LRX Concept - Black & Silver

Gallery: Jaguar F-Type Concept

[Source: 4Car]

REPORT: Tata green-lights LRX and Jag sportscar originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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