Autoblog

2014 Jaguar XFR-S is the power and the fury

Zach Bowman — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Sedan, Performance, Jaguar

If there's something wrong about a sedan with a 550-horsepower supercharged V8, we don't want to hear about it. Instead, we want to marvel at the car in person, which is fortuitous because Jaguar has officially unveiled the 2014 XFR-S at the 2012 LA Auto Show. That blown 5.0-liter V8 dishes up a full 502 pound-feet of torque, which is good enough to shuttle the four-door to 60 mph in a scant 4.4 seconds. And, thanks to a start stop system and a few other fuel-saving tricks, the 2014 XFR-S gets away without being hit by the gas guzzler tax.

That's all good news, but we're just as excited about the fact that engineers managed to crank up the vehicle's chassis stiffness by a ludicrous 30 percent. Stiffer dampers and springs also give the car a little more poise, and a wide-open exhaust lets the whole world know you're kicking down their door. You know, in case the electric blue paint and wild body work didn't tip your hand. Check out the full gallery above for a closer look.

2014 Jaguar XFR-S is the power and the fury originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Jaguar XFR

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Jaguar, New Car Reviews

An English Bulldog Learns New Tricks

The booming woke us. We had spent the night on a slip road next to Stonehenge, and now somewhere, every few minutes, a cataclysm dropkicked the sky and beat Mother Earth badly enough to warrant pressing charges. This is a miserable wake-up call: Gray sky, foggy Earth, a mystical monolith, the ground beneath having a seizure and Chinooks and Apaches floating over the harvested fields. Death was on the way, and he was in a mad hurry.

Which would have been a shame, because our 'bed' was the driver's seat of the 2012 Jaguar XFR and we weren't finished enjoying Jaguar's junior B-road mauler. The major organs of the XFR, pumped full of life by its supercharged V8, have been with us since 2009. It is the reskinning of those organs - probably the most significant cosmetic surgery in Coventry since the XJ stepped out of its antiquity - that's meant to make the magic of this particular car. Representing the long-overdue promise of the C-XF concept, this update allows us the hope that it would move past the Ford-mandated bait and switch that sucker-punched us when, after the C-XF, we were given the production version of the first-generation XF.

With no major changes made to its mechanics, we already know how the XF drives. We were spending time with it to make sure its beauty was as deep as its ability. Or put even better by Clive, the otherwise imperturbable English gent we met on the Salisbury plain, "Look at it! That's dogs, 'at is! Dogs!" And in this case, "Dogs!" was a very, very good thing.

We'll get to Clive in a moment. Jolted and awake, we ignited the beast and prepared to make the run from Stonehenge to the Paris airport.

But first we had to outrun that booming doom.

Continue reading 2012 Jaguar XFR

2012 Jaguar XFR originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar "seriously considering" XFR-S [w/poll]

Noah Joseph — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Jaguar

There's little question that the Jaguar XFR (pictured above at left) is an impressive cat, indeed. Five hundred horsepower and a healthy dose of British charm will do that for you, after all. The trouble is that with around 550 hp apiece, the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG and BMW M5 are that much more impressive. And so Jaguar is reportedly working on a hotter XFR-S.

The more extreme performance sedan has been touted for the past year or so, and has even been spied undergoing development work at the Nürburgring. Following a formula similar to what Jaguar employed to transform the XKR into the XKR-S (pictured above at center), the 5.0-liter supercharged V8 in the XFR-S would have its output - and its price - raised to compete with ze Germans. That means 550 horses and about $90,000.

Would you shell out the extra $8k over the MSRP on the existing XFR, or for that matter, choose it over its rivals? Cast your vote in our poll below.

View Poll

Jaguar "seriously considering" XFR-S [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Four-door supercars line up, drag out their differences

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Videos, BMW, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Luxury

The latest BMW M5, Jaguar XFR, Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG and Porsche Panamera S all have lots of things in common. They all have four doors, V8 engines underhood, hail from high-end European automakers known for luxury and performance and can all be had for a wee bit under $100,000.

But which one is fastest?

Well, that depends on how you're planning to measure speed. Do you mean top speed? The time it takes to circle a given race track? Or do you mean in a drag race, the quintessential way to compare a car's ability to accelerate in a straight line?

If that's the case, you'll find your answer in the video after the break. You'll see each of the aforementioned automobiles lined up against one another, racing flat-out over the distance of 1,000 meters.

Who wins? Hit the jump to find out.

Continue reading Four-door supercars line up, drag out their differences

Four-door supercars line up, drag out their differences originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar's jungle looks awfully inviting in new ad

Zach Bowman — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 10:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Jaguar, Luxury

There are plenty of attributes we associate with Jaguar. Luxurious, powerful and attractive all spring readily to mind, but we're not sure we'd tie the world "playful" to the brand. Jaguar seems to think otherwise, and has released a new ad showing three of its most sultry models frolicking about in jungles both natural and urban. The spot ends with the tagline "Welcome To Our Jungle," though Axl Rose and Slash are conspicuously absent.

The XJL Supersport, XFR and XKR-S all share some time on screen set to a little Spanish guitar and the bark of delicious supercharged 5.0-liter V8 exhaust notes. The agency behind the spot, Spark44, says that the goal was to show the vehicles as animate, fun objects.

We can certainly attest to these vehicles' ability to paint a smile on your face. The ad does still seem plenty conservative, however. While there's a bit of sideways action here and there, the vehicles mostly seem constrained to speed limits and turn taking. We want to see some sibling rivalry. Hit the jump to check out the full clip for yourself.

Continue reading Jaguar's jungle looks awfully inviting in new ad

Jaguar's jungle looks awfully inviting in new ad originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar XFR-S snapped gunning for M5 territory at the 'Ring

Noah Joseph — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, Jaguar, Luxury

When is a Jaguar XFR not a Jaguar XFR? When it's an XFR-S, that's when. So while this vehicle may look like your standard supercharged Jaguar sedan, it's actually a British rocket aimed - in a bit of role reversal - squarely at Germany.

Spied undergoing development work at Jaguar's test center near the Nürburgring, this test mule looks pretty much like the XFR you can already get from your local Jag dealer. But our sources on the ground tell us it sounds more like the XKR-S, the 550-horsepower super-coupe seen running alongside it.

Though the prototype pictured lacks the exterior visual cues that would go along with the anticipated engine swap, the telltale exhaust bellow tells us the likes of the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG had better take notice.

Jaguar XFR-S snapped gunning for M5 territory at the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar's upcoming Sport Break to include XFR version?

Noah Joseph — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Wagon, Jaguar, Luxury

2012 Jaguar XFR - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you're a fan of the latest design direction at Jaguar and of station wagons, we had some potential good news for you last week. That's when reports indicated that the British automaker was proceeding with plans to make a long-roofed version of its XF sedan. Now it seems the news is only getting better.

In follow-up reports, Jaguar's design director Ian Callum suggests that the wagon - excuse us, "Sport Break" - will include an XFR version (yes, we're hoping Jaguar spells it "Sport Brake," too). That means the same 510-horsepower turbo eight as the XFR sedan and XKR coupe and convertible. And that's some very good news indeed, particularly for those looking to trounce the odd Porsche 911 off the line with the whole family on board.

Jaguar's upcoming Sport Break to include XFR version? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar reportedly confirms 3 Series rival, XFR-S under development

Noah Joseph — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 17:20:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Jaguar, Luxury

Jaguar XFR - Click above for high-res image gallery

Eager to show it's at the top of its game, Jaguar has been promoting a raft of new technologies, models and variants under development of late. We've recently confirmed a new four-cylinder diesel for the XF (earmarked towards European buyers) and reports of an all-wheel-drive variant of the XJ flagship (targeted for North American consumption), but new reports give us some more to anticipate from the Leaping Cat marque.

First up, word out of the UK indicate that the long-rumored 3 Series rival - possibly (and counterintuitively) to be called XS - has been confirmed by Jaguar's global brand director, Adrian Hallmark, who justifies that in order to compete with other European luxury marques, it needs to do so on all fronts.

Potentially more exciting, however, is the development of an even hotter version of the XFR (pictured above). The project reportedly transplants the upgrades in the XKR-S to the XF to make for a 550-horsepower super-sedan capable of taking on the likes of the forthcoming BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Jaguar XFR

Photos copyright (C)2010 Damon Lavrinc / AOL

[Source: PistonHeads]

Jaguar reportedly confirms 3 Series rival, XFR-S under development originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar ditches touch control glovebox on 2011 XF

Dan Roth — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Jaguar, Design/Style, Luxury

Car and Driver has found a couple of revisions to the Jaguar XF for 2011 that haven't really been crowed about. Anyone who's ever been tempted to punch the dashboard after poking at the unresponsive touch-sensitive glovebox "target" will feel gratified to see the new pushbutton Jaguar has put into the 2011 Jaguar XF. The mechanism is still electrically actuated, but the change to a real switch will likely make getting at the contents of the glovebox less like playing the slots.

An electrically heated windshield also makes its way to the Jaguar XF from the Land Rover encampment. Most significantly, the 2011 Jaguar XF lineup is exclusively powered by the 5.0 liter V8, previously an optional upgrade from a 4.2-liter base engine with the Premium package. Larger front brakes, also previously part of the Premium package, are now standard. And finally, 2011 XFRs will be easy to spot with their blacked-out grilles. Now, about that super-slow touchscreen...

[Source: Car and Driver]

Jaguar ditches touch control glovebox on 2011 XF originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2010 Jaguar XFR is still the Papa Bear

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Jaguar, New Car Reviews, Luxury

2010 Jaguar XFR - click above for high-res image gallery

When our man Lieberman drove the 2010 Jaguar XF Supercharged earlier this year, he came to the conclusion that of all the models in the XF range, the mid-grade Supercharged with its 470-horsepower V8 was the one to have, if you're buying. After all, at a relatively modest $68,000, it's a sexy sleeper with enough high-powered thrills to keep you happy while still being everyday-drivable and easily tamed. We wholeheartedly agree with our dear Jonny in this conclusion, and if we had never experienced this top-rung XFR, we'd be perfectly thrilled with our purchase.

But we have driven the XFR - once in France and now again in America - and asking us to overlook either experience when considering the XF range simply isn't going to happen. The R makes too much of an impression.

Yes, the Supercharged may be the "just right" Goldilocks model in the XF lineup, but the XFR is Papa Bear. That 'R' badge will cost you an extra $12,000, which is undoubtedly a hefty sum to pay when you consider that it only produces 40 more horsepower than the Supercharged. Thus, it's easy to write off the XFR as unnecessary or overzealous, but its sharper set of chops are able to handle so much more than lukewarm porridge. This car is a real honey, finances be damned! Follow the jump to find out why.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Jaguar XFR

Continue reading Review: 2010 Jaguar XFR is still the Papa Bear

Review: 2010 Jaguar XFR is still the Papa Bear originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 11:57:00 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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CTS-V Challenge opened up to any would-be Caddy killers

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Cadillac

2009 Cadillac CTS-V - Click above for high-res image gallery

May the best car win. So says General Motors' Bob Lutz, and he's willing to put his Pilotis where his mouth is... so to speak. On a conference call last month, Maximum Bob challenged any journalist to a duel with the Cadillac CTS-V, and, not surprisingly, the mantle was picked up right quick by the boys at Jalopnik.

Rules? Sorta. Any stock production four-door sedan is reportedly eligible to go up against the Big V, and the drivers will be lining up against the clock on October 29 at the Monticello Motor Club in Monticello, N.Y. While Jalop's Wes Siler was originally slated to go up against Lutz in a Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, that car has since been switched out in favor of the Jaguar XFR (earning the ire of TTAC in the process).

Here's the best part: Anyone who happens to own a new comparable sport sedan, such as a BMW M3 or M5, perhaps a Mercedes-Benz AMG sedan or the Audi S4 (not to mention the Mitsubishi Evolution), is welcome to submit themselves for consideration to take part in the festivities in New York. We're not sure how the participants will be selected or exactly what the racing will entail, but if you're interested in throwing your hat into the ring, click here. For what it's worth, we've driven the CTS-V around Monticello, and we figure the smart money is on the Daddy Caddy.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V

[Source: CTS-V Challenge]

CTS-V Challenge opened up to any would-be Caddy killers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Jaguar XJ: We get hands-on with Coventry's new big cat

Chris Paukert — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:15:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Technology, Jaguar

2010 Jaguar XJ - Click above for high-res image gallery

For a long time, worrying about Jaguar was the only sensible thing to do. While it was never exactly clear if the marque had (ever) achieved profitability, we enthusiasts were only too happy to give them the benefit of the doubt. After all, the English automaker serially gifted us with watershed designs. Sublime mechanical creatures like the E- and D-Type sports cars, as well as the curvacious Mark II and original XJ. How could we not be totally and utterly smitten? Yet somehow, the once proud automaker eventually found itself adrift in mediocrity, turning out maligned and slow-selling products with an unpleasant odor of unreliability as the money began to run dry. When the then Ford-owned brand launched headlong into its "democratization of luxury" strategy that resulted in the lamentable 2001 X-Type and serious talk of an SUV, well, we couldn't help but grow gravely concerned.

After all, how could a company like Jaguar - a firm that prided itself not only on voluptuous design and sporty handling but also sybaritic appointments and a refined, aristocratic manor speak with a straight face about "the democratization of luxury?"

Not only does the XJ appear to be the measure of its German competitors, it may play a strong foil for the Maserati Quattroporte and Porsche Panamera.

The very concept was oxymoronic to the point of absurdity: when a given commodity is within easy reach of the masses, it ceases to be a luxury good. Simple as that. Predictably, it didn't take long for consumers to cotton on to this revelation, and the savior X-Type was broadly lambasted and narrowly purchased.

Thankfully, the lanky Leaping Cat is at last in proud form once again, and under the new leadership of India's Tata Motors, they are building on the success of the massively impressive Jaguar XF of 2008. By our reckoning, that car was the first clear indication from chief designer Ian Callum and Company that not only did Jaguar understand that it had a past - it might have the blueprint for a bright future as well. As it reasserts its claim to the flagship slot in Coventry's lineup, the new XJ finds itself with big shoes to fill. Is it up to the task? Follow the jump to learn more.

Gallery: 2010 Jaguar XJ

Continue reading 2010 Jaguar XJ: We get hands-on with Coventry's new big cat

2010 Jaguar XJ: We get hands-on with Coventry's new big cat originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar officially announces XKR Goodwood Special... in lime green

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:58:00 EST

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

2010 Jaguar XKR Goodwood Special -- Click above to enlarge

In a press release announcing the cars it would be taking to this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, Jaguar's own Mike Cross has officially confirmed the coming of the Jaguar XKR Goodwood Special. We noted before that it would be louder and faster and detailed in satin graphite, but now we find out it will get a lower ride height over 21-inch wheels and - are you ready? - "a unique Lime Green paint scheme and XKR exterior graphic" as shown above. Alrighty, then.

That hard-to-miss car will join a few more trailers of Jaguar goodies, including the 225 mph Bonneville XFR, a 1957 Long Nose D-Type, a Le Mans winning C-Type, and the one-of-a-kind Jaguar XJ13. Goodwood is just around the corner (July 3-5), and you can read all about Jaguar's plans in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Jaguar]

Continue reading Jaguar officially announces XKR Goodwood Special... in lime green

Jaguar officially announces XKR Goodwood Special... in lime green originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2010 Jaguar XFR, XKR and one of the best V8s on the market

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 29 May 2009 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Jaguar, First Drives

2010 Jaguar XFR - Click above for high-res image gallery

About 20 minutes after heading south towards the Mediterranean, traffic on our four-lane roadway stops abruptly. The bus we have just passed pulls up on our right and an officer is standing in the middle of the roadway, waving the morass of motorists through - until we reach the head of the pack. He points at us, then motions towards an unpaved turnout where a handful of squad cars are accompanied by a dozen police officers.

We pull the white, droptop XK into the dirt lot, twist the rotary shifter into Park and within seconds we're being berated by a young officer with "CADET" embroidered across his upright baseball cap. Our French is about as good as our Klingon, so after realizing we don't speak the native tongue, he snatches our documents and leaves us to stew.

A few minutes pass, at which point an older officer approaches and asks in perfect English, "Do you know why you are here?" We tepidly shake our heads as he informs us we were doing 60 km/h in a 40 zone. Our wallet recoils in horror as we remember the advice given to us earlier in the week: "The police in France are very strict about speed limits. The fine can run upwards of 1,500 euros (a little over $2,000) and it is payable on the spot." Just as thoughts of frantic phone calls, maxed-out credit cards and the atrocities that await us in a Parisian jail cell begin to flood our minds, the officer cocks his head sideways, realizes we're a pair of dimwitted Americans and simply says, "Please be more careful."

So begins our time with the foursome of Jaguar's newest offerings, and we haven't even sampled the 510-horsepower XKR and XFR yet.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Jaguar XFR

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Jaguar XKR

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Jaguar XFR, XKR and one of the best V8s on the market

First Drive: 2010 Jaguar XFR, XKR and one of the best V8s on the market originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 May 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Jaguar XJ to debut in July, on sale in September December

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Jaguar

We're in the South of France getting ready to drive Jaguar's new XFR and XKR sports models, and Mike O'Driscoll, Jaguar's managing director, has just confirmed that to us that the long-awaited Jaguar XJ successor will debut this July, with sales beginning in December.

Although details about the new XJ are still scarce, expect a thoroughly redesigned exterior that moves away from the current car's evolutionary design (shown above) by taking several cues from the new XF. Similarly, expect an all-new interior that adopts the company's Jaguar Drive transmission (recently ported over to the new XK) and an aluminum architecture that's rumored to keep the curb weight below 4,000 pounds. At launch, look for Jag's all-new naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 to makes its way under the hood, with an XJR model following sometime in 2011 packing the XFR's 510-horsepower supercharged bent-eight. UPDATE: O'Driscoll has confirmed that sales will begin this December.

2010 Jaguar XJ to debut in July, on sale in ~~September~~ December originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Jaguar XF Estate headed to Frankfurt

Chris Paukert — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Europe, Jaguar, Rumormill

The Jaguar XF has gotten off to a strong sales start, and with a tempting new diesel engine option in Europe and a new "R" performance model, the sport sedan is being asked to carry a lot of water for the British brand. And if new rumors prove to be true, the XF will soon be able to tote a lot more of the wet stuff thanks to a new wagon variant.

According to Auto Motor und Sport, Jaguar will unveil a thinly-disguised XF Estate concept car at September's Frankfurt Motor Show, with a 2011 production model following about six months later. AMuS also suggests that there will be an XFR estate model to take on BMW's M5 Touring and Audi's RS6, and like its sedan counterpart, it is expected to be V8-powered with some 510 supercharged horsepower. Naturally, more measured V8 and V6 models will also make the scene, along with a pair of V6 diesel models.

Other XF variants, including a possible coupe and convertible are reportedly on the table. Us? We're looking forward to clapping our eyes on the load-lugging cat, and hope that the XF's rumored quality problems don't dog what is sure to be a stylish family transporter.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via AutoTelegraph.nl]

Rumormill: Jaguar XF Estate headed to Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2009: Faster Pussycat - Jaguar XFR pounces on Bonneville, hits 225 mph!

Chris Paukert — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Motorsports, Sedan, Etc., Jaguar

Click above for high-res image gallery of the Jaguar XFR Bonneville car

In its spare time while reinventing the company and settling in with a new owner, Jaguar's boffins somehow found time to take their new XFR to the Bonneville Salt Flats for a top speed run last November.

The Paul Gentilozzi-driven XFR had been modified with the appropriate safety gear (roll cage, fire suppression system, etc.), along with a sizable low-mounted rear spoiler and a derestricted ECU that allowed the supercharger to yield around 600 horsepower thanks to a bit more boost. So-equipped, the 503-horsepower sedan blew through the double-ton to top out at 225.675 miles-per-hour, solidly trouncing the previous Jaguar land speed record of 217.1 mph set by an XJ220 at Nardo back in 1992 with Martin Brundle at the wheel. For reference, the standard XFR is electronically limited to 155 mph.

Incredibly, the Bonneville run was completed on stock Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires, and the Rocketsports-prepared XFR was still registering a bit of wheelspin at that speed. Check out the high-res, high-speed gallery below and the press release after the jump.

UPDATE: Video of the XFR in Bonneville added after the jump.

Gallery: Jaguar XFR Bonneville Salt Flats Racer

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Jaguar XFR Bonneville Salt Flats Racer

Live photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Jaguar]

Continue reading Detroit 2009: Faster Pussycat - Jaguar XFR pounces on Bonneville, hits 225 mph!

Detroit 2009: Faster Pussycat - Jaguar XFR pounces on Bonneville, hits 225 mph! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit Preview: Jaguar XFR arrives early

John Neff — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:06:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, Jaguar

Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2010 Jaguar XFR

Thanks to an embargo break by 4WheelsNews, we can show you the first official image of the 2010 Jaguar XFR and reveal some juicy info on the British brand's new top cat. Set to go head-to-head with the big dogs in the high-performance luxury sedan segment, the XFR draws its motive force from a new version of Jaguar's AJV8 that's larger at 5.0 liters of displacement and supercharged to produce 510 bhp and 460 lb-ft of torque. That's good for a 0-60 mph run of just 4.7 seconds and a electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. The XFR is also fitted with new 20-inch Nevis alloy wheels and larger brakes with calipers bearing the "R" logo.

The XFR also features a number of exterior tweaks that emphasize its sporting intentions, including a new front end with a new bumper design incorporating large, chrome trimmed air inlets on either side, hood vents, new fenders, side sills, a decklid spoiler, and new rear bumper that wraps around four exhaust pipes.

The interior is also gussied up with new dark aluminum trim, sports seats bearing the "R" logo and a sport steering wheel. Finally, the new range-topping XF can be had in eight colors: Botanical Green, Indigo, Kyanite Blue, Liquid Silver, Lunar Grey, Porcelain and Salsa. We'll be back with more news on the XFR when we're allowed, so for now this all you get.

UPDATE: More images have begun to leak out, so check out the gallery below for addition high-res photos of the 2010 Jaguar XFR.

Gallery: 2010 Jaguar XFR

[Source: 4WheelsNews]

Detroit Preview: Jaguar XFR arrives early originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Update: Arden releases details and pics of AJ21

Noah Joseph — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Sedan, Jaguar

Click to view the Adren AJ21 in high resolution

With the M5-battling Jaguar XFR looming high on the horizon, German tuning house Arden's release of its new AJ21 comes at the perfect time. The XF-based performance sedan, details of which have been trickling out for several months now, offers a range of modifications to give the sharp cat that extra edge.

As you can see from these new images, Arden's given the Jag's appearance a serious makeover, much to the benefit of its aerodynamics. The front end has been thoroughly redesigned to include a bigger grille and vents to help the engine get the air it needs, while the front spoiler keeps things planted. Around back the diffuser and discreet spoiler keeps the tail nailed as well, with side skirts helping along the way and integrated vents to help cool the rear brakes. The package also includes a revised suspension and 21-inch forged alloys, but the real treat is underhood where Arden has worked its magic on the entire range of engines available on the XF. The range-topping supercharged V8 has been bored out from 4.2 liters to 4.5 and is aided in producing 500 horsepower by a custom crankshaft, con rods and pistons. The same enlargement can be done to the naturally-aspirated V8 for 380 hp, with the 2.7-liter diesel six tuned to 250 hp instead of the stock 207. Customers can also specify custom interior options, but to our taste, we'd leave the leaper off the hood. Check out the pair of new images in the gallery below.

Gallery: Arden Jaguar XF AJ 21

[Source: Arden]

Update: Arden releases details and pics of AJ21 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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