In an attempt to make its XF more appealing to a wider share of the market, Jaguar has officially confirmed that a version of the model equipped with a more cost-effective diesel unit will soon join the current line up. The new entry-level variant will be powered by the same 2.2-litre 4-cylinder unit (of Peugeot-Citroen heritage) that is already part of the XF engine range in a 190 hp configuration, but its output will be downgraded to 163 hp.

In terms of sheer performance, the gap between this new powertrain and the 190 hp version is quite significant: the former boasts a 0-100km/h (62 mph) sprint time of 9.8 seconds and a top speed of 210 km/h (130 mph), whereas the latter does the 0-100 km/h in just 8.5 seconds with a top speed of 225 km/h (140 mph). Both units are coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission - courtesy of German specialist ZF - and come with start-stop system, while average fuel consumption and CO2 emission figures are identical: 5,4 l/100 km and 149 g/km respectively. To find out more about the model, see the official Press Release after the jump.

Continue reading: Jaguar confirms cheaper 2.2 diesel unit for the XF

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Jaguar releases yet another image (or Christmas card) of the same XF Sportbrake mule we have seen a while ago, still wearing some heavy camouflage on the rear half in an attempt to hide the newly designed rear end, which is likely to feature re-designed tail lights and a customized hatch. The front end will benefit from the recent restyling of the Jaguar XF range, while the powertrain should be left untouched too.

The engine range of the XF should also be the same: 4 and 6-cylinder diesel units as well as 8-cylinder petrol engines, including the 510 hp version of the XFR. Apparently, the XF Sportbrake should be officially unveiled at the next Geneva Motor Show.

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Jaguar released a couple of spy shots (although this might not be the proper name for these images, given the source) picturing a mule of the Jaguar XF Sportbrake. The move comes as a sort of official confirmation that a station wagon version of the XF is actually in the plans of the British carmaker. The model is expected to make its debut at the next Geneva Motor Show and will take on the likes of Bmw 5-Series and Mercedes E-Class in a segment that often sees estate cars sell more than the sedan models they derives from.

Jaguar XF SportBrake is already the definitive name of the car (as sported on the sides of the pictured mule) which is likely to adopt the same engine range of its saloon counterpart, featuring both diesel and petrol units with 4, 6 and 8 cylinders, although it is fair to say that a sporty version based on the XFR and equipped the same turbocharged 5.0-litre V8 engine is quite likely to surface as well at a later time. Judging by these two shots, the design of the car seems to be pretty slim, with front headlights shaped as the saloon version.

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The Jaguar XF restyling is a very sexy effort from the company, with the lovely-looking new XF going on show at the 2011 New York Auto Show. The model gets a new headlight design, more in line with the XJ design, and the rear light set-up has also been modified to create one unit across the rear, united by the chrome trim.

The Jaguar XF bumpers have been slightly modified, and so has the entire front of the XFR, which gets features like a new bonnet and spoiler, and a more sloped rear end. The XF restyling gets a four-cylinder AJ-i4D 2.2-litre diesel engine with 190 hp and 450 Nm of torque. It is also equipped with Start&Stop system and an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox. The Supercharged V8 engine of the XFR remains unchanged, but it gets a new infotainment system and adaptive cruise control as an option. Both models will be on sale from July.

Jaguar XF restyling

Continue reading: Jaguar XF restyling pics

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The Jaguar and Land Rover brands are headed for a shakeup in the next few years as they keep their premium label while trying to exploit new market segments for themselves. In the process, we could see a new Jaguar compact sedan appear in the range, below the Jaguar XF. It should be priced below £30,000 with Jaguar Global Brand Director Adrian Hallmark saying that the market in that price range is four times the size of the over-30,000 pound mark.

With a new model, we could see some changes to the XF with it increasing in size and moving slightly more upmarket. It should also get a new 2.0 turbodiesel engine which should increase sales, particularly in Europe where diesel models are popular. A new 3.0-litre V6 petrol unit will also appear on the XJ to satisfy demand in the Chinese car market.

The compact sedan could be built on an aluminium chassis, and could have a four-wheel drive option which will likely first appear on the Jaguar XJ, set to appeal to North American customers. A Jaguar compact sedan should break into the small executive sedan market where cars like the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class dominate. The project is considered key to keeping Jaguar’s product range relevant.

Meanwhile Land Rover could also develop a smaller and less expensive car, coming in at under £25,000. There are no plans yet, but it is a model being considered to take advantage of opportunities in the utility end of the segment. That said, luxury is still what Land Rover is best associated with and the Ultimate Edition Range Rover production numbers have been revised to accommodate higher demand - up from 100 to 500 units.

Source | What Car and Autocar

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After revealing on Friday that Jaguar could be looking at producing a crossover model, Autocar returns to the topic of future Jag models, saying that a supercar could be in the works. That means that we might see the stunning Jaguar C-X75 one-off concept get to production after all.

The discussion surrounding a future Jaguar supercar is along the lines of what the British sports car company should have an as ideal line-up. And for Jaguar fans the news can only be pleasing. Head designer Ian Callum has revealed that he is in favour of the idea of a production vehicle similar to the C-X75 which met with great success when it was presented in Paris.

He says it’s about creating an exciting car that the company doesn’t have now, adding: “I happen to think Jaguar needs a car like this. Everything about it is new yet it recalls one of our greatest designs of all time, the XJ13.” He says that given the reception the C-X75 was given, Jaguar needs to decide how it can use the model before discarding any production possibilities.

Meanwhile, plans for a Jaguar SUV or crossover model continue, with new boss Adrian Hallmark apparently supporting the idea. According to him, Jaguar has a saloon-focused range which is limiting in its scope. He also added that all-wheel drive saloon models will be developed in the future, and indicated that keeping weight down will be important. That could mean future aluminium chassis, possibly on the next generation XF. An XF wagon is also being planned.

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Jaguar will develop the F-Type roadster model and will replace the X-Type sedan in reports from Germany. The sports car and the X-Type replacement are said to be at an advanced developmental stage, and Jaguar is also planning an XF station wagon model and a long-wheel base version specifically for the Chinese market.

Jaguar’s new design has been appreciated by the market so far, but it has more work to do on its range in the future. It has revealed that it’s essential to any manufacturer of luxury sedans to provide models that compete with the BMW 3 Series, and it’s possibly working on a new platform to do so.

Autocar reports that Jaguar could be developing a new medium-size aluminium rear-drive platform for the new X-Type, XF and the F-Type roadster. We can’t wait to see what Jaguar comes up with for the latter model and Autocar’s rendering above is probably a faithful representation of what we might see.

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If the truth be told, the world has a love affair with Britain - its history, culture and a style all its own. The British Empire is perhaps one of the greatest the world will ever see and this wonderful video celebrates 75 years of Jaguar: now owned by a company from a country that was a former British colony. But perhaps Tata Motors from India is one of the better placed companies to appreciate that class that English cars seem to have, with a combination of Indian know-how and a country with its own turbulent but noble history.

The models shown in this celebration of 75 years of Jaguar include: the original SS100, then the XK120, XK150 and the legendary race cars of the C and D-Type. We also get a look at the famous MKII sports sedan from the 1960’s, and also the E-Type. The 1970’s are represented by the XJ and the XJS coupé, and the XJR sports prototype.

These days, under Tata leadership, Jaguar is dedicating itself to some of the sexier sedans and coupés we’ve seen recently, with the strategic XF, the new XJ and the coupé and spider XK models. While we see less of pure racing pursuits in the company, Jaguar looks to embark on a new heyday which will include hybrid options in this modern era of environmental consciousness. Check out the video above for a look at historic Jaguar models in its 75th anniversary year.

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These spy shots of the new Jaguar XJ were taken at the port of dover, and unfortunately don’t add much to what we already know of the car and its look. A few touch-ups have been done to the interior, but the heavy camouflage doesn’t reveal much at all.

The Jaguar XJ will debut on July 9th so we won’t have to wait long. These two examples were on the way to France for road tests and were photographed by a couple of fans who happened to be on the same ferry.

The camouflaged interior reveals the steering wheel style and some other elements inspired by the smaller Jaguar XF.

Source | Spyshots.nl

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The new Jaguar XJ has been seen testing, in full BMW-style camouflage. The BMW style is not limited merely to the disguise, but can also be found at the front in the double grill look of the vehicle.

It’s still difficult to form an idea of the overall look that the next XJ will eventually take on, although we can make our judgments come 2010 with the appearance of the sedan on the market.

Some time ago though, Jaguar design head Ian Callum revealed that he was enchanted by the lines of the Mercedes CLS, although he added that the new XJ would not be based on the latter, maintaining a more traditional sedan look.

We should see quite a close relationship in terms of style, however, with the smaller Jaguar XF. The more solid look certainly reflects Jaguar’s recent efforts, and we should see this organic “family feeling” grow further among Jaguar models.

Source | AutoWereld

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The Fiat 500 has been voted the “2009 Design Car of the Year” at the New York auto show, by a panel of 59 journalists from 25 countries. The small, but stylish, 500 won out of 51 candidates, of which the finalists were the Fiat 500, the Citroen C5 and the Jaguar XF.

Below is another gallery of what has become Fiat’s flagship model: quite a surprise for a nostalgic revival vehicle that is enjoying an extended appearance in the spotlight. See what you feel about the prize.

Continue reading: Fiat 500 wins World Design Car of the Year 2009

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The Jaguar XF-R has stolen the crown of the XJ220 as the fastest Jaguar on the market, registering a top speed of 349.4 km/hr on the salt flats of Bonneville, in Utah. The iconic coupé, the XJ220, has made way for the Jaguar XF-R, which is on display at the Detroit auto show.

The new record was achieved through modifications to the aerodynamics of the vehicle (described by Jaguar as “minor aerodinamic modifications”), and a V8 five-litre engine said to have 600hp. Our compliments also go to the driver, Paul Gentilozzi, who drove this land missile with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tyres.

Continue reading: Jaguar XF-R: 350 km/h on Bonneville Salt Flats

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