Jaguar Revises XJ Lineup for 2009MY in Europe

These aren't the best of times for any automaker but it's even worse when you have products like the charming, yet outdated XJ. Jaguar hopes that it can boost its flagship model's European sales by offering customers better value-for-money with a host of additional features that are now offered at no extra cost. The equipment revisions concern the XJ 2.7-liter Diesel models. In particular, the Executive is priced in the U.K. at £44,599 and now includes satellite navigation as standard as well as front and rear parking aids, Bi-xenon headlamps with headlamp washers, bright mesh lower grille and side vents and Jaguar tread plates.

The Sovereign carries a price tag of £50,472 and features 20" Takoba wheels as standard along with 16/16 soft grain leather heated and cooled seats with embossed front headrests and a leatherette instrument panel and grab handles, plus Jaguar tread plates and front and rear lamb's wool rug set (huh?).

For 2009, Jaguar has also discarded the Sport Premium specification in the XJ.

Jaguar Recalling 3,754 XFs for Minor Electric Glitch

There are recalls where there have been serious injuries or even deaths and recalls which simply involve faulty components that cause no harm. Jaguar's recall falls into the second category as the reason why the Indian-owned British automaker is calling in 3,754 MY2009 XFs in the U.S. for inspection is for instrument cluster speaker function problems. In particular, the speaker wires may fracture meaning that a series of audible notifications will not be heard by the driver. These include the seat belt warning, lights 'on' warning, driver's door open with key in ignition, driver intervene (adaptive cruise control vehicles only) and seat memory. For more info owners may contact Jaguar directly at 1-800-452-4827.

Jaguar XF

Jaguar has just revealed the production version of its new XF sedan, the car that that was previewed by the C-XF shown in Detroit earlier this year and the replacement for the upper medium S-Type sedan . Relative to the concept, the production car has a deeper version of the new "bug-eye" lamp graphic, a conventional rear door handle design and a taller roof line for proportions very similar to the Lexus GS300.

Jaguar Design Director Ian Callum is on record as saying: "Cars like the original XJ6 left a lasting legacy and my ambition has been to create something as seminal. The XF is that car".

If not seminal, the XF clearly marks a significant shift in Jaguar sedan exterior design relative to the previous XJ, X-type and S-type Jaguars that were all based thematically on designs from the 1960s. The interior innovates mostly in detail design, with new features such as the "Jaguar Drive" that controls the transmission through a cast aluminum selector that raises out of the center console when the car starts; shutters over the air vents; phosphor blue mood or 'halo' interior lighting; and proximity controls for overhead lighting and the glove-box opening.

Related stories:
Design Review: Jaguar C-XF concept
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Jaguar XK

Technical Specs
Standard Engine 4.2L V8
Standard Transmission 6 Speed Automatic
Cylinders 8
Horsepower @ RPM 300@6000
Torque @ RPM 310@4100 (foot-lbs)

The XK Series is Jaguar’s grand touring coupe and convertible. When the XK Series debuted as a 1997 model, the XK8 replaced the XJS, ending the 21-year run for the XJS. The XK8 was the spiritual descendant of the legendary E-Type and XK120, and featured Jaguar’s first use of a V8 engine. The supercharged XKR was added for 2000. An all-new model debuted for 2007, an advanced sports car with an aluminum monocoque body structure that is 31 percent stiffer than its predecessor with a 10 percent improvement in power to weight ratio. For 2008 the limited edition XKR Portfolio was offered.

The 2009 Jaguar XK Series adds another special edition XKR Portfolio with distinctive styling and luxurious interior touches to create a supreme Grand Touring car with the performance and dynamics of a true sports car. The 2009 XKR Portfolio features polished 20-inch Selena wheels with red Jaguar Heritage center badges, exclusive Shadow Grey metallic paint, milled aluminum power vents, and a Bowers & Wilkins speaker system. Only 385 XKR Portfolios will be available in the U.S.

Jaguar XKR S, The World's Fastest Jaguar?

I know I've done a lot of Jaguars on here, but this is the Superman of Jags.
The Jaguar XKR S is powered by a 4.2 litre all aluminium four cam supercharged V8 engine that delivers around 420 horsepower.
That makes this cat run 60 in 5.2 seconds and gives it a top speed (electronically governed) of 174 mph.
That would make it the fastest Jaguar since the XJ220 supercar.
Unfortunately, The Jaguar XKR-S will be limited to only 200 cars in Europe.
But that's okay, it's retail is around £80,000.
No idea what that is in US dollars.

The Jaguar XJ

A Jaguar near and dear to my heart, because we have a 1988 XJ6.
The Jaguar XJ was more of a luxury touring car, not the land rockets some Jags were.
They came with the six cylinder and V-12.
But that's not to say the model had no high performance engines.
In 1994 they had a 6.0 L Jaguar V12 engine rated at 318bhp.
In 1995 there was a 326 bhp supercharged version of the straight-6 offered and badged as the XJR.
The X308 Mk II had a 4.0 litre supercharged option that delivered 370 bhp and also a 4.0 that provided 400 bhp.

The Jaguar Mark IV

The Jaguar Mark IV, pronounced mark four, was a saloon (sedan) car built by Jaguar from 1945 to 1949.
It was a relaunch of a pre World War II model made by SS Cars Ltd from 1936.

Before World War 2 the name Jaguar was the model name given to the complete range of cars built by SS Cars Ltd. The saloons were titled SS Jaguar 1½ litre, 2½ litre or 3½ litre. The two seater sports car was titled the SS Jaguar 100 2½ litre or 3½ litre.

After the war the company name was changed to Jaguar Cars Ltd. While the post war saloons were officially the Jaguar 1½ litre, 2½ litre and the 3½ Litre, the term 'Mark IV' was applied by the trade simply to seperate them from the officially named Mark V.

http://www.saloondata.com/ is an online site that keeps track of all the Classic Jaguar Saloon's still around.

You can also get a ton of info on the early Jags here:
http://www.jag-lovers.org/firstcats/mkiv.php3

Jaguar XJ Series

Technical Specs

Standard Engine 4.2L V8

Standard Transmission 6 Speed Automatic

Cylinders 8Horse

power @ RPM 300@6000

Torque @ RPM 310@4100 (foot-lbs)

The XJ Series is the flagship of Jaguar’s line of premium luxury sedans. All of the XJ sedans are descendants of the classic S-type Jaguars of the late '50s and early '60s, with the first XJ sedan debuting in 1968. Jaguar buyers have benefited from Ford's acquisition of Jaguar several years ago that resulted in increased quality and reliability.

The 2008 Jaguar XJ Series gets a redesigned look with a revised front-end, new side power vents, rear aero spoiler, full-width chrome “signature blade” and new rear bumper. Revised with an all-new seat design, the interior also receives standard heated front seats, increased rear leg and foot room thanks to redesigned front seat backs. New 19-inch Polaris, Vela and Carelia alloy wheels are available and three new exteriors have been added. An upgraded Bluetooth system allows up to five phones to be paired to the in-car telephone system.

Jaguar XK60

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the launch of the XK120, Jaguar is launching a special series of the current XK for the UK market – the aptly named XK60.
XK60s will be built from July 2008 and include 20-inch Senta alloy wheels, a sporty alloy gear knob and selector-gate surround, plus distinctive body enhancements: a new front spoiler and rear valance panel, chrome-finished side vents and bright upper and lower front grille meshes, special tailpipe finishers and appliqués on both sides of the car.

The Jaguar XK , part 3

In Europe the 4.2-S was unveiled at Geneva on March 1, 2005. This was the last XK to be rolled out that was based upon the original 1996 design. Features for the 4.2-S Four included new exterior and interior colours and two distinct veneer options for the instrument panel, polished door treadplates with chequered-flag emblems and embossed, leather-edged floor mats. The revised white Jaguar badge on the bonnet also feature chequered accents. New 19" Atlas wheels plus cross-drilled Brembo brake discs, red wheel badges and red brake calipers were also fitted.
Jaguar also produced a concept car called the XKR-R which was very similar to the production XKR, but boasting a more powerful 450 bhp (340 kW) engine, a manual gearbox, a limited-slip differential and improved handling. The naming convention is similar to that of the S-Type R special edition. Unlike the S-Type R, it will never be realised on a Mk.1 XK chassis although a model of the same name could appear on the Mk.2 XK later this year.

The Jaguar XK , part 2

Both the XK8 and XKR are electronically limited to a maximum of 155 mph, lower than the top speed of its predecessor. The XK8 heralded a change in direction for the company, resulting in the S-Type and X-Type.

The XK8 and XKR come standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, and 19 and 20-inch wheels are available for additional cost. A navigation system and self-leveling xenon headlamps come standard with the XKR and as options for the XK8. Jaguar's Adaptive Cruise Control is an optional feature available on both models. Both come with all-leather interior, burl walnut trim, and side airbags. Jeremy Clarkson, during a Top Gear, a UK motoring magazine/TV show, test-drive, likened the interior of the original XK8 to sitting inside Blenheim Palace. In 2005 the grille design of the XKR was refreshed.

Only 600 XKR Silverstones were made, in celebration of Jaguar's return to F1 racing in 2001. It featured a Platinum paint finish, high-performance package (with the same engine as the standard XKR, but improved transmission, suspension and brakes), 20" Silver BBS "Detroit" wheels and a custom interior.

Built to celebrate the centenary of Jaguar's founder, 500 'XKR 100' coupés and 500 convertibles were made in 2002. The XKR 100 featured an Anthracite paint finish, Recaro seats, 20-inch BBS alloys, Brembo brakes, and custom interior.

The convertible-only Portfolios were produced in 2004 exclusively for the US market. Of the Portfolio models, 100 featured unique Red paint with matching Recaro sports seats and interior, whilst the remaining 100 had Blue paintwork and interiors.

There is also a 2008 Portfolio model planned which will be available worldwide, featuring the most powerful brakes featured on any production-line Jaguar.

The Jaguar XK

The Jaguar XK series (XK8 and XKR) is a grand tourer produced by British carmaker Jaguar since 1996. The car was introduced in Geneva Motor Show on March 5th 1996. It is the replacement of the XJS, and is available as a coupé and convertible. Currently in its second generation, the XK8 was the first 8 cylinder vehicle produced by Jaguar, when the Jaguar AJ-V8 engine was introduced.
The 1997 XK8 (project code X100) was available in coupé or convertible body styles and with either a supercharged 370 hp (276 kW) or naturally aspirated 290 hp (216 kW) engine. The supercharged variant is known as the XKR. The first-generation XK series shares its platform with the Aston Martin DB7. Both cars are derived from the Jaguar XJS, though the platform has been extensively changed.

Jaguar and Lotus to develop biofuel engine

Jaguar and Lotus to develop biofuel engine

Luxury car manufacturer Jaguar and Lotus Engineering are to partner for the development of an advanced internal combustion engine optimised to run on bioalcohol fuels. According to Automotive News Europe the two will work on a single cylinder engine project known as Omnivore, in conjunction with Belfast University.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080814/business/jaguar-and-lotus-to-develop-biofuel-engine

2010 Jaguar XFR Spied!

TheCarConnection.com's spies have scored some new shots of the Jaguar XFR, caught testing in Death Valley.
The higher-performance XF gets a revised, vented hood, and a more aggressive front air-dam to signal its arrival. A new side sill accentuates the XF's lower flared character line, resulting in a more menacing stance, augmented by the large wheels and performance-minded brake package with cross-drilled rotors. The rear valance has also been changed to accommodate the XFR's new quad exhaust set-up.

Read the full article and see the pictures here:
http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/blogs/marty_blog/2009/2010-jaguar-xfr-spied/

Jaguar XJ-S, part 4

lynchauto.net/_wsn/page3.html

Having been in production for over 20 years, the Jaguar XJS today can vary in price from $400 - $700 for an older coupe, to over $38,000 for a late V-12 Convertible.
In the United States, the coupes can be had in rough shape on a regular basis for $800 - $1,000 and convertibles bring anywhere from $4,000 - $15,000 depending on year and condition.
In the UK the best of the market is often considered by enthusiasts to be the mid-80's coupes. The rare 6.0 liter cars usually command a premium price in the US market with a 6.0 liter convertible bringing top dollar.

Jaguar XJ-S, part 3

The XJ-S was re-engineered in 1991 and renamed XJS, with a convertible waiting one year. The rear windows were enlarged, though the flying buttresses stayed, as designer Geoff Lawson argued that they were part of the car's character. The car got a new 4-litre version of the AJ6, and the V12 was upped to 6 litres in 1993/1994 (227 kW (304 hp)). At the same time the car benefited from a revision to the rear brakes, they were now fitted with outboard rear disc brakes, instead of the more complicated inboard items on previous models. With the introduction of the 6.0L V12, the transmission was also updated to a GM 4L80E with a 4th gear overdrive. These changes begin the "face-lift" for the aging XJS. A 2+2 convertible was also introduced, as was a customized insignia line. In 1994 the car received more aerodynamic front and rear bumper fascias, which completed the face-lift. 1994 was the only year the 6 cylinder with 5 speed manual transmission XJS was exported to the United States. Exact production figures are unknown, though it is likely there are fewer than 10. In 1995 substantial revisions were made to the 4-litre AJ6 engine which became the 4.0L AJ16 with coil on plug ignition being the most noticeable change. The car was discontinued in 1996, after 21 years in production. It was replaced by the XK8.

Jaguar XJ-S, part 2

From July 1981 on, XJ-S got the new High-Efficiency engine for much better economy; as a by-product, power was increased to 220 kW (295 hp) or 196 kW (263 hp) in North America. ( Yes, better economy AND 295 hp!) Also the XJ-S received changes to its exterior and interior (new five-spoke alloy wheels, chrome inserts on the upper part of the bumpers, wood inserts on dashboard and door cappings). In 1982, the new V12 XJ-S won first and second at the RAC Tourist Trophy race at Silverstone.

Throughout the life of the XJS, British company Lynx sold a high-quality four-seat full convertible conversion. Lynx also produced 67 hand-built two-door estate/shooting brake/station wagon versions of the XJS marketed under the name of "Lynx Eventer". The Eventer was a very elegant model, which succeeded in the overall design because it removed the flying butresses, incorporating them into the estate design. Jaguar were urged to market their own version but never did. Most Eventers are believed to still exist although build quality, especially on the early versions, was at best variable. ( Strange looking, but still very cool)

Jaguar XJ-S

The Jaguar XJ-S, later the Jaguar XJS, was a luxury grand tourer produced by Jaguar. The XJ-S replaced the legendary E-Type (or XK-E) in September 1975, and was based on the XJ saloon. It was developed as the XK-F, though it was very different in character from its predecessor. Although it never had quite the same sporting image, the XJ-S was a competent grand tourer, and more aerodynamic than the E-Type. The last XJS was produced on April 4, 1996, with the XK8 taking its place.

First, the XJ-S appeared in 1975 as a 1976 model. Power came from the Jaguar V-12 with a choice of a manual or automatic transmission, but the manual was soon dropped. V-12 automobiles were unusual at the time, with notable others coming from Italian luxury sports car makers Lamborghini and Ferrari. The specifications of the XJ-S compared well with both Italian cars; it was able to accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 8.9 seconds and reach 142 mph (229 km/h). The first series of XJ-S cars had a Borg-Warner Model 12 transmission with a cast iron case and a bolt-on bell-housing. In 1979 GM Turbo-Hydromatic 400 transmissions were fitted. The TH400 transmission was an all aluminum alloy case with an integrated non-detachable bell-housing.

Jaguar's timing was not good; the car was launched in the wake of a fuel crisis, and the market for a 5.3-litre V12 grand tourer was very small. The styling was also the subject of criticism, including the "flying buttresses" behind the windows.

Jaguar seized promotional opportunities with the television series The New Avengers and Return of the Saint. The New Avengers featured Mike Gambit (Gareth Hunt) who drove an XJ-S. Reliability issues meant that three XJ-S cars were used. Return of the Saint saw Simon Templar (played by Ian Ogilvy) driving an early XJ-S with the number plate "ST 1". Miniature versions were made by Corgi and proved popular. A decade and a half before, Jaguar had turned down the producers of the earlier Saint series when approached about the E-type; the producers had instead used a Volvo P1800.

Responding to criticisms that the XJ-S was not a worthy E-type successor, Pininfarina revealed a sporty show car in 1978 based on XJ-S mechanicals and called Jaguar XJSpider. The car never went into production.

Jaguar Lightweight E-type

Jaguar Lightweight E-type

This was an evolution of the Low Drag Coupé. This Jaguar made extensive use of aluminium alloy in the body panels and other components. However, with at least one exception, it remained an open-top car in like the D-type to which this car is a more direct successor than the production E-type which is more of a GT than a sports car. The cars used a tuned version of the production 3.8 litre Jaguar engine with 300 bhp (224 kW)) output rather than the 265 bhp (198 kW) produced by the "ordinary" version. At least one car is known to have been fitted with fuel-injection.

The cars were entered in various races but, unlike the C-Type and D-Type racing cars, they did not win at Le Mans or Sebring.

Bob Jane won the 1963 Australian GT Championship at the wheel of an E Type.

The Jaguar E-type was very successful in SCCA Production sports car racing with Group44 and Bob Tullius taking the B-Production championship with a Series-3 V12 racer in 1975. A few years later, Gran-Turismo Jaguar from Cleveland Ohio campaigned a 4.2 L 6 cylinder FHC racer in SCCA production series and in 1980, won the National Championship in the SCCA C-Production Class defeating a fully funded factory Nissan Z-car team with Paul Newman.

Jaguar E- Type, Low Drag Coupé (1962)

Jaguar E- Type, Low Drag Coupé (1962)

After the introduction of the E-type, Jaguar wanted to investigate the possibility of building a car more in the spirit of the D-type racer from which elements of the E-type's styling and design were derived. One car was built to test the concept designed as a coupé as its monocoque design could only be made rigid enough for racing by using the "stressed skin" principle. Previous Jaguar racers were built as open-top cars because they were based on ladder frame designs with independent chassis and bodies. Unlike the steel production E-types the LDC used lightweight aluminium. Sayer kept the original tub with lighter outer panels riveted and glued to it. The front steel sub frame remained intact, the windshield was given a more pronounced slope and the rear hatch welded shut. Rear brake cooling ducts were located next to the rear windows,and the interior trim was discarded, with only insulation around the transmission tunnel. With the exception of the windscreen, all cockpit glass was plexi. A tuned version of Jaguars 3.8 litre engine with a wide angle cylinder-head design tested on the "D" type racers was used. Air management became a major problem and, although much sexier looking and certainly faster than a production "E" type, the car was never competitive: the faster it went, the more it wanted to do what its design dictated: take off.

The one and only test bed car was completed in summer of 1962 but was sold a year later to Jaguar racing driver Dick Protheroe who raced it extensively and eventually sold it. Since then it has passed through the hands of several collectors on both sides of the Atlantic and now is believed to reside in the private collection of the current Viscount Cowdray.