Autoblog

Jaguar reskins the cat with new XK Artisan edition

Noah Joseph — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:33:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Jaguar, UK, Luxury

Every car has its better and worse angles, but by and large we'd argue the Jaguar XK is one of the most beautiful cars on the road today. Almost artistic, we'd say, and Jaguar itself seems to agree with the release of the new Artisan special edition.

Launched (for the time being at least) in Jaguar's home market, the Artisan SE is available in either coupe or convertible and in base XK or supercharged XKR trim. It's distinguished by its polished 20-inch wheels and unique shades of black, white and silver, but what really sets it apart is its interior: Scraffito-style leather covers the seats, dash and doors, with a Poltrona Frau headliner, a Bowers & Wilkins sound system, stainless steel pedals and unique sill plates.

The Artisan SE bumps the price of any XK specified by a good £12,000 ($19,000 based on current conversion rates), making it the new king of the hill for Jaguar's two-door range. Check it out in the press release after the jump and the high-res image gallery.

Continue reading Jaguar reskins the cat with new XK Artisan edition

Jaguar reskins the cat with new XK Artisan edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Days On Lot: What cars are moving the quickest and slowest out of showrooms?

Zach Bowman — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hyundai, Jaguar

2011 Hyundai Elantra - Click above for high-res image gallery

Car sales fell for the first time in eight months in May. According to Kicking Tires, it took dealers 54 days to move a brand-new vehicle off their lots compared to 48 days in April, thanks in part to steep fuel costs, supply issues due to the earthquake and tsunami tragedies in Japan and skimpy incentives.

But the news isn't all bad. A few star models bucked the trend, including the 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The compact popped off of dealer lots in just three days, effectively cinching the title as the quickest-selling model of May. In fact, the 2011 Elantra landed itself in second place by only lingering 7 days on the lot.

Kicking Tires points out that the Chrysler 200 is also beating the average. The Sebring successor took 19 days on average to find a new home.

Meanwhile, the 2011 Jaguar XKR found itself at the very bottom of the list. The high-power coupe languishes on showrooms for an average of 212 days. The Infiniti M56 is next up from the basement. The sedan takes 173 days to sell on average. Head over to Kicking Tires for a closer look.

Days On Lot: What cars are moving the quickest and slowest out of showrooms? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar Italy trims out a special XKR in... plaid Alcantara?!

Noah Joseph — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 18:33:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Europe, Jaguar, Luxury

Jaguar XKR 75 by Alcantara Interiors - Click above for image gallery

We know what you were thinking: the Jaguar XKR is pretty cool, but what it really needs is a plaid interior. Fortunately, Jaguar Italy and Alcantara Interiors have teamed up to realize exactly that.

And they didn't just put in some plaid inserts like on a Volkswagen GTI, either: we mean Prince of Wales plaid covering the seats (front and rear), the armrest, the center console, the door panels, the headliner, the pillars... the works. And as you might have guessed, the pattern is applied to that soft, grippy, suede-like wonder-material we know as Alcantara.

The trim wasn't applied to any old XKR, either: it replaced the white-stitched charcoal leather on the XKR 75, the anniversary edition of which only 75 examples were made, complete with 530-horsepower supercharged V8. You know, in case it wasn't special enough already. See for yourself in the image gallery below. Yikes.

Gallery: Jaguar XKR 75 by Alcantara Interiors

[Source: eurocarblog]

Jaguar Italy trims out a special XKR in... plaid Alcantara?! originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Apr 2011 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2011: 2012 Jaguar XKR-S waves the E-Type's flag at 50

Chris Paukert — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 13:27:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, UK, Design/Style, Luxury

Jaguar XKR-S - Click above for high-res image gallery

Having recently released its innovative and show-stopping C-X75 concept last Fall, Jaguar probably didn't have the resources - or perhaps the need - to create a brand-new E-Type in observance of the seminal car's 50th birthday. Thus, we get the XKR-S, with 550 horsepower, 502 pounds of torque and aggressively redesigned aero. We're not complaining.

The XKR is already a pretty wonderous piece to drive and look at, and this Metallic Smurf example looks nothing if not more imposing, thanks largely to the additional vents feeding the supercharged V8. Jaguar notes that this is the most powerful and fastest production sports car it's ever offered - and yes, it's headed for showrooms - with an 0-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds and a Vmax bumped out to 186 mph.

In addition to the engine and aero tweaks, the XKR-S' suspension has been reworked, there are new 16-way power sport seats with 'carbon-fibre effect' leather (we're pretty sure you're going to need to see this in person to appreciate it), and the whole shebang will be capped off with a price tag of around £97,000 on-the-road. That's around $158,000 U.S., but if it comes to the States, we'd expect it to be significantly less costly. Check out our live gallery below to check the XKR-S out in detail, then venture over to the jump to see Jaguar's full press release.

Gallery: Jaguar XKR-S: Geneva 2011

Gallery: Jaguar XKR-S

Continue reading Geneva 2011: 2012 Jaguar XKR-S waves the E-Type's flag at 50

Geneva 2011: 2012 Jaguar XKR-S waves the E-Type's flag at 50 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar bringing 550 hp XKR-S super coupe to Geneva

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:22:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Jaguar, Luxury

Jaguar XKR-S - Click above for high-res image gallery

We've heard rumblings of a more-powerful XKR. We saw spy shots of the rumored two-door as it blew through the English countryside wearing a dash of camouflage. And now it's official: Jaguar is bringing a more powerful XKR to the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, and goes by the name XKR-S.

We can only assume Jaguar is sticking with the supercharged 5.0-liter V8 as a motivational tool because the full details won't be unvieled until next week's shindig in Switzerland. However, we have been given a few numbers: 550 horsepower, 502 pound-feet of torque, a top-speed of 186 miles per hour and the ability to run from zero-to-60 miles per hour in just 4.2 seconds.

If you weren't excited enough about Geneva, Jaguar just gave you 550 reasons to start drooling. Get the full details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Jaguar XKR-S

[Source: Jaguar]

Continue reading Jaguar bringing 550 hp XKR-S super coupe to Geneva

Jaguar bringing 550 hp XKR-S super coupe to Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Extra-hot Jaguar XKR caught ahead of Geneva debut

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Jaguar

Spy Shots: Jaguar XKR-based prototypes wander the English countryside - Click above for high-res image gallery

Jaguar testers have just been caught running around the British countryside with a pair of camouflaged XK coupes. One looks to be the upcoming facelifted XKR, while the other appears to be a mysterious - and as-yet unnamed - more powerful XKR variant.

Rumor has it that this super XKR could be named the XK-E in honor of the 50th anniversary of Jaguar's legendary E-Type. We really only know two things about it at the moment: it's based off the 530-horsepower XKR Goodwood Special, and we're dying to see it in Jaguar's booth at the upcoming 2011 Geneva Motor Show.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Jaguar XKR and Super XKR

[Source: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: Extra-hot Jaguar XKR caught ahead of Geneva debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar XKR175 kicks off the kid brother mantle at Pebble Beach

Noah Joseph — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 23:45:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Jaguar, Misc. Auto Shows, Luxury

Jaguar XKR175 - Click above for high-res image

Life can't have been easy for Jaguar in the Ford PAG years. Sure, the automaker had an influx of capital to dedicate to development of new models and the fine-tuning of existing ones. And sure, its notorious reliability and quality levels skyrocketed to a near-acceptable level (which is quite far from where they were). But all the same, it had to live in the shadow of their big brother Aston Martin.

The current Tata era, then, must be a breath of fresh air, with no one impeding Jag's upwards growth. Exhibit A: the XKR175. Like its continental (and similarly named) counterpart, the XKR 75, it's been made to celebrate the marque's 75th anniversary. Of course it's based on the XKR, a model of unique feline reflexes that was once impeded in its potential by the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, never mind the DB9. But no more - with AML now under separate ownership, the XKR175 demonstrates just what the British GT is capable of.

We're talking about 510 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque from the supercharged V8. We're talking about a beefed-up aero kit, bigger wheels and super-sized brakes. We're talking about an unveiling no less prestigious than the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, so check out the solo image released in the interim and the press release after the jump.

If you like what you see, you'd better call your local dealer now. Because with a limited production run of - you guessed it - 175 examples (15 of which will head north to the land of igloos and maple syrup, the rest to be divided between these United States), you can bet that - even with a $104,500 price tag - demand will outstrip supply. Even Aston Martin will have to stand up and take notice to that.

[Source: Jaguar]

Continue reading Jaguar XKR175 kicks off the kid brother mantle at Pebble Beach

Jaguar XKR175 kicks off the kid brother mantle at Pebble Beach originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Aug 2010 23:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Engine shortages holding back Jaguar Land Rover sales

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Jaguar, Land Rover

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

The turnaround at Jaguar/Land Rover is happening even faster than the company's owner, Tata, had planned. A year ago, JLR posted a net loss of £64 million ($101M U.S.) in Q2; compare that to this year's second quarter and its £233.8 million ($369M U.S.) net profit on 57,135 vehicles sold.

While we're sure they aren't complaining, the boost has left JLR in bit of a lurch: production has bottlenecked because it needs more engines from Ford, after already buying "considerably more" than it expected. Ford hasn't offered any comment, but it is reported that the two companies are working together to figure out how to get Jaguar the powerplants it needs.

Gallery: 2010 Jaguar XJ

[Source: Bloomberg]

Report: Engine shortages holding back Jaguar Land Rover sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar XKR 75 debuts to celebrate marque's 75th birthday

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Jaguar, UK, Luxury

Jaguar XKR 75 - Click above to enlarge

And here we nearly forgot it was Jaguar's birthday. Thankfully, the well-heeled Brits saw fit to remind us with a special package for its sporty XKR coupe, fittingly called the XKR 75. According to Jaguar, this model will "deliver a combination of enhanced performance, superb chassis and steering control and grip levels to inspire the driving enthusiast to explore the true potential of the XKR's capabilities."

To that end, Jaguar's engineers have squeezed 530 horsepower (a useful 20-horse improvement over the standard XKR) and 483 pound-feet of torque from the marque's latest supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine. That's sufficient power to launch the XKR 75 to 60 miles per hour in just 4.4 seconds and on to a governed top speed of 174 mph.

Exterior updates include a new Stratus Grey finish, red brake calipers that stand in contrast to the 20-inch gloss Vortex forged lightweight alloys with a dark technical finish and diamond turn. An optional body graphic that runs from the front bumper to the rear haunches rounds out the package.

Inside, you'll be greeted with charcoal leather dressed up with ivory stitching. The dash and center console are finished in gloss piano black and the headliner is Jet suedecloth, whatever that is. In any case,an appropriate 75 of these special edition models are planned. The car will debut at the upcoming Goodwood Festival of Speed and will be made available to order from July 2010 in the UK priced from £85,500.

[Source: Jaguar]

Continue reading Jaguar XKR 75 debuts to celebrate marque's 75th birthday

Jaguar XKR 75 debuts to celebrate marque's 75th birthday originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Hotter Jaguar XKR confirmed

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Jaguar

2010 Jaguar XKR Goodwood Special - Click above for high-res image gallery

Jaguar has reportedly confirmed that a more powerful, more vicious version of the XKR will go into production later this year. According to Autocar, the car is based off of the XKR Goodwood Special (pictured), and has already lapped the Nürburgring in 7 minutes, 58 seconds during testing. Not bad at all.

Official details on powertrain and chassis upgrades haven't been revealed just yet, but if the Goodwood Special XKR is anything to go on, expect the supercharged 5.0-liter V8 to get a slight boost in power (for reference, the lime green XKR cranked out 530 horsepower and 515 pound-feet of torque), as well as a lowered suspension, tweaked exhaust and larger wheels. What's more, Jaguar has confirmed that this new XKR will have a top speed of at least 186 miles per hour (the all-important 300-kph mark in Germany).

Our only request: Keep the lime green paint in check. The Fiesta isn't the only car that can pull off citrus.

Gallery: 2010 Jaguar Goodwood Special XKR

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Hotter Jaguar XKR confirmed originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar hoping to assure with free maintenance program on 2011 Models

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 18:20:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Jaguar

2011 Jaguar XJ gets free maintenance - Click above for high-res image gallery

As gorgeous and capable as the new Jaguar XK, XF and XJ might be, some people in the market for a luxury sedan or GT still have a dated notion of Jaguars as service nightmares. Talk to folks from the Big Three and they'll tell you in no uncertain terms that fighting persistent jokes and decades-old impressions is, well, difficult. Those old impressions can linger in the mind of buyers well beyond their validity, crimping sales and blocking exposure to some very tasty products. One way to counteract that image problem is to design a better product, build it carefully and correctly, start gaining a reputation for reliability and wait for the hordes to push down your dealership doors. Another way to do it is to offer free maintenance to jump-start the process.

Jaguar North America is using the latter approach, launching a free scheduled maintenance program for all of its 2011 models. According to Automotive News, the new five-year/50,000 mile plan will be called Jaguar Platinum Coverage, and will provide free scheduled maintenance, along with 24/7 roadside assistance. Jaguar has tried a similar approach in the past, but this new plan even goes so far as to comp oil changes, filters, brake pads, brake discs, brake fluids, and wiper blade inserts. The old program was last applied to 2006 models while Ford was still calling the shots. Jag's new owners, Tata Motors, are anxious to kick off the new XJ launch with a bang, hoping to show shoppers that this isn't your wealthy uncle's Jaguar. The program will be in effect when the XJ sedan goes on sale in May and will also apply to the 2011 XF sedan and XK coupe when they reach dealerships in June.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Jaguar XJ

[Source: Automotive News]

Jaguar hoping to assure with free maintenance program on 2011 Models originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sebring 2010: Bad start for Jaguar as XKR goes out in first hour

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 08:08:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Jaguar, Racing

Unfortunately for Jaguar, the only XKR to make it to the finish of the 2010 12 Hours of Sebring was the green and black pace car. Sebring was to have been the full-season competition debut for the new JaguarRSR XKR GT2, but it looks like team has a lot more work to do before the car's a potential race winner. After consistently running near the bottom of the GT2 class time charts in practice and qualifying, the race proved to be the icing on a stale cake.

Less than an hour into the 12-hour enduro, the XKR pulled into the pits with team principal Paul Gentilozzi only having completed 11 laps. It's been reported that one of the cylinder heads on the 5.0-liter V8 cracked, an issue that couldn't be resolved in the pits or paddock in time to get the car back in the race. Hopefully, the team will take the lessons of Sebring and be able to implement some changes before the next event at Long Beach in four weeks. It'd be great to see the Jag in contention with the Ferraris, Porsches and Corvettes.

[Source: JaguarRSR]

Continue reading Sebring 2010: Bad start for Jaguar as XKR goes out in first hour

Sebring 2010: Bad start for Jaguar as XKR goes out in first hour originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Mar 2010 08:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2010: Jaguar XKR Special Edition gives old cat extra life

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:41:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Geneva Motor Show, Jaguar, Specialty

Jaguar XKR Special Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

Jaguar loves to unwrap auto show goodies, and the city by the lake hasn't been left out of the cat's bag. The Jaguar XKR Special Edition is a supercharged coupe that will take you all the way to 174 miles per hour - none of that electronanny 155 mph, thank you - thanks to its supercharged, 510-horsepower, 5.0-liter V8.

The Speed Pack and Black Packs, both options on the regular XK, will make you feel and look faster, and the tailored XK suitcase will make you look just plain better when all the speediness stops. Have a gander at the feral white feline in the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Jaguar XKR Special Edition

Gallery: 2011 Jaguar XKR Special Edition

Continue reading Geneva 2010: Jaguar XKR Special Edition gives old cat extra life

Geneva 2010: Jaguar XKR Special Edition gives old cat extra life originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar to unveil faster, blacker XKR Special Edition in Geneva

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Jaguar

2011 Jaguar XKR Special Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

You know that cat? It's not only out of the bag, but the bag has been beaten, robbed and burned to a crisp. Translation: Jaguar is bringing a brawny, hopped-up version of its XKR to Geneva. Dubbed the XKR Special Edition, this Jag is actually a combo platter of two other XKR specials. Still with us? Good.

Let's start with the first two. For 2011, the supercharged, 510-horsepower XKR will be available with a Speed Pack. What's it do? The Speed Pack raises the bad kitty's top speed from 155 mph to 174 mph (both speeds are electronically limited). Then there's the Black Pack that, besides being fun to say, is an appearance package for the already pretty good looking XKR.

Should you opt for the Black Pack, you get gloss black 20-inch Kalimnos wheels, gloss black chrome grille and side vents, red brake calipers and a body-colored aero-kit. You can even go for an "XKR" graphic on the side sills (we'd advise against that last bit). Rather than calling the two combined packages "Black Speed," Jaguar is instead calling the whole megillah the XKR Special Edition. Until Geneva. Press Release and video after the jump.

Continue reading Jaguar to unveil faster, blacker XKR Special Edition in Geneva

Jaguar to unveil faster, blacker XKR Special Edition in Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar returns to Le Mans with GT2 XKR

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Jaguar, Racing

JaguarRSR XKR GT2 and its predecessors - Click above for high-res image gallery

Jaguar's motorsports involvement dates back to its earliest days some 75 years ago. The 24 Hours of Le Mans has been part of that story since 1951 when a C-Type won the big enduro its very first time out. Jaguar is returning to the French classic this year with a factory entry for the first time since the Tom Walkinshaw built XJR-14 prototypes of the early 1990s.

This year, instead of seeking overall victory with a prototype, Jaguar is aiming for top honors in GT2 with a production-derived XKR built by Lansing, MI based Rocketsports Racing. The JaguarRSR XKR GT2 ran some practice laps at the Petit Le Mans last fall before its competition debut in the ALMS finale at Laguna Seca. RSR owner Paul Gentilozzi will share seat time with Scott Pruett and Marc Goossens in the 24 hour race. The XKR will also be running the full American Le Mans Series season this year starting at the 12 hours of Sebring next month.

Gallery: Jaguar XKR GT2 at Laguna Seca

[Source: Jaguar]
Photos copyright Jaguar / (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Jaguar returns to Le Mans with GT2 XKR

Jaguar returns to Le Mans with GT2 XKR originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar observes 75-year anniversary by celebrating past, looking to the future

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:40:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Jaguar

Grace and pace and something else - click above for high-res image gallery

Grace and pace. One cannot properly talk Jaguar without mentioning the brand's calling car. For the last 75 years those two attributes have separated Jag from the rest of the pack. After all, not only did the E-Type look that good, but when is debuted in 1961 few cars could match its speed. Those that could, well, they sure didn't look like a Jaguar.

Lately however, the shag-you-are song hasn't exactly remained the same. Don't get us wrong, the brand's adherence to V8s and superchargers has largely ensured the pace part of the equation has been there, but grace... not so much. Or, in the case of the Europe-only diesel X-type Estate (read: station wagon), both terms were rudely, death knellingly absent.

To mark the occasion of their 75th anniversary Jaguar is claiming the old mojo is back. As something more than casual observers of the auto industry, we can assure you that they aren't far off. Five seconds into any journey featuring the brand's new 5.0-liter supercharged V8 will make a believer out of anyone. Moreover, the few fleeting minutes we've spent inside the new XJ's cockpit have made us born again. It might very well be the most graceful interior on planet earth. Now if they could just do something about the XK's snout... Make the jump to check out Jaguar's 75th Anniversary press release, and enjoy the gallery-it's superb.

Gallery: Jaguar 75th Anniversary

[Source: Jaguar]

Continue reading Jaguar observes 75-year anniversary by celebrating past, looking to the future

Jaguar observes 75-year anniversary by celebrating past, looking to the future originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Jeremy Clarkson drifts a Jaguar XKR Convertible... in flippers

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Etc., Videos, Jaguar, Luxury

Jeremy Clarkson, flippers and a Jaguar XKR Convertible - Click above to watch the video

We missed the first part of this skit, as the video you're about to watch isn't from Top Gear, but rather from JC's newest DVD ~~Dual~~ Duel. Still, it does feature the Stig. And some ridiculous-yet-somehow-jealousy-inducing car-antics. Apparently, Jezza bragged that the Jag is such an easy to handle drifter all-star, that he could smash an apple... while wearing flippers.

But he's not the only one wearing ridiculous shoes while hammering a big powerful car around a track. The Stig attempts to smash apples in a pair of wellingtons. The results, while absurd, juvenile and predictable (guess who has the easier time making applesauce), are still must-watch gearhead television. So without further ado, make the jump and watch the video.

[Source: YouTube via Axis of Oversteer]

Continue reading VIDEO: Jeremy Clarkson drifts a Jaguar XKR Convertible... in flippers

VIDEO: Jeremy Clarkson drifts a Jaguar XKR Convertible... in flippers originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar XKR GT2 will debut this week at Petit Le Mans

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:32:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Jaguar

Jaguar XKR GT2 - Click above for high-res image gallery

After announcing earlier this year that it would enter the American Le Mans Series with a new GT2 class XKR, Jaguar has remained silent on when the car would actually appear. That silence is now over as the car is roaring to life at Road Atlanta today in practice for Saturday's Petit Le Mans.

The new racer has been prepared by long-time Jaguar racing collaborator Paul Gentilozzi and his RSR team. RSR is the successor to Rocketsports racing with which Gentilozzi campaigned XKRs in the Trans Am series. Like the new GT2 C6.R Corvette, the XKR started its life as a production aluminum body-in-white that was then transformed into a racer. Most of the aerodynamic development of the body was handled by the engineers at Jaguar before being fabricated in carbon fiber by RSR and a local Michigan-based supplier. RSR is mainly using this weekend's debut race as an extended track test session to prove-out the new car before participating in the entire 2010 season. We'll let you know how it does.

Gallery: RSR Jaguar XKR GT2 racer

[Source: Jaguar]

Continue reading Jaguar XKR GT2 will debut this week at Petit Le Mans

Jaguar XKR GT2 will debut this week at Petit Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Arden takes the Jaguar XKR Convertible into Supercar Territory

Noah Joseph — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Performance, Europe, Jaguar, UK, Luxury

Arden Jaguar XKR Convertible - Click above for high-res image gallery

Few things in life are better than a Jaguar XKR Convertible, But Arden is unconvinced. The German tuning house has a history of taking Britain's best and making them better, and now they've turned their attention on the latest leaping cat.

Fitting a new exhaust system, Arden managed to squeeze and extra 30 horses out of the XKR's 5.0-liter supercharged V8 to top 540 horsepower and 498 lb-ft of torque. That's supercar territory, and Arden claims that with the speed limiter removed, its tuned roadster will top out at a follicle-stimulating 200 miles per hour. To round out the package, Arden also fitted a revised front end with optimized intakes and chrome grilles, plus a new diffuser housing the quad exhaust tips. Although the final details have yet to be announced, expect an adjustable lowered suspension and upgraded brakes to be hidden behind those giant 21-inch Sportline rims, along with a host of interior enhancements to further set it apart from the average house cat.

Gallery: Arden Jaguar XKR Convertible

Arden takes the Jaguar XKR Convertible into Supercar Territory originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: Jaguar lets the cat out of the bag with XKR Goodwood Special

Noah Joseph — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Jaguar, Misc. Auto Shows, Specialty

2010 Jaguar XKR Goodwood Special - Click above for high-res image gallery

With its aggressive stance, classic lines and deep-throated growl, it'd take a really breathtaking array of exotic machinery to let a car like the Jaguar XKR go by unnoticed. Unfortunately for Jaguar, that's exactly what rolls up Lord March's lawn every summer for the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The stoic British marque has a long history of participation in the event, and came this year with its 225mph XFR and a host of rare classics. But apparently eager to make its mark, Jaguar turned up with a special-edition XKR, painting it a retina-burning shade of lime green with orange decals, just to make sure it got noticed.

The Goodwood Special upgrades the stock XKR with a lowered suspension, retuned exhaust, 21-inch alloys and satin graphite trim replacing the chrome. But the real treat is under the hood, where Coventry's finest have squeezed out a further twenty ponies from the supercharged 5.0-liter V8 for a total of 530 horsepower and 515 lb-ft of torque. Considering that the (anything but) ordinary 510 hp version rockets to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds, the extra power promises to take the sport coupe into even more rarified territory. Unfortunately for the time being the Goodwood Special remains a one-off, but Jaguar is reportedly keeping its ear to the ground for enough feedback to offer a limited production run. Check out the high-res gallery of images by clicking the thumbnails below.

Gallery: 2010 Jaguar Goodwood Special XKR

[Source: Carscoop]

Pics Aplenty: Jaguar lets the cat out of the bag with XKR Goodwood Special originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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