Jaguar, a company long known for making very beautiful, very fast cars seems to be turning its eye towards a green other than its traditional British Racing Green. Reports indicate that not only will Jag soon be building a hybrid, but they are also seriously looking at, if not already committed to building an all-electric model. And this electric will be a two-seater convertible.

Dubbed the XE roadster, the news suggests that it will have a very novel drivetrain similar to that of the Chevrolet Volt. The engine will be a three cylinder that will drive an electric generator (at least that’s what Motor Trend says), the genny will charge the batteries, and off you go. Sort of like a diesel/electric train. MT states that it’s just a concept, and is not definitely slated for production, but it IS a very interesting idea. Dubbed the Jaguar XE-EREV, it will likely debut at the 2011 Geneva show.

Just to make things more confusing, it’s not clear whether the electric Jag would be the only electric Jaguar, or if it would be in addition to the XJ range-extended electric car Jaguar says it will roll out in 2011. The XJ would have an all electric range of 30 miles and get 57 mpg, which are very impressive numbers for a car that big. Also, the CO2 emissions would be on par with a Honda Civic Hybrid. To make the XJ, and possibly the roadster a reality, Jaguar is counting on a more than $407 million loan from the European Investment Bank to help develop the car.

Pass the popcorn.

Source: Wired Autopia

Photo from Flickr user xmatt

I suppose many of us can identify with that relentless (almost obsessive) pursuit for making something just a little bit better or striving for perfection. A great video by Daniel Michaelis that may strike a chord with a few viewers and brings it all together - visual performance, editing, and a soundtrack that hits all the right notes on cue. Whether you appreciate visual art, high performance cars, or both, I think you will enjoy watching this video.

Believe it or not, Jaguar and Land Rovers have never been officially sold in the Indian market. That’s about to change, officially, and it has everything to do with the fact that, business-wise, Jag and Landy are now Indian brands. As most of you know, Jaguar and Land Rover were acquired not to long ago by Tata, one of India’s largest automakers. Dubbed the “Jaguar Land Rover” premiere car group, they will enter the Indian market for the first time later this year. The first showroom scheduled to be open in Worli, Mumbai, in June this year. Initially only the Jaguar XF and XK, and the Land Rover Discovery and Range Rover models will be offered.

“We are delighted to be formally entering the Indian market, an economy which is still growing appreciably, and able to offer our premium products to a whole new group of customers. It is an important strategic move for Jaguar Land Rover and will enable us to realize our competitive potential in this significant market,” said David Smith, CEO of Jaguar Land Rover.

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Somehow, despite all the sturm und drang happening in the auto world at the moment, Jaguar is seeing fit to let the rumors fly about an upcoming new sportscar for 2011, and not just any sports car, but a re-do of the mouthwatering F-Type show car. The F-Type, which was a show car from 2000, was announced for production in early 2001, but sadly the F-Type was never to see the light of day, since Jag decided to focus its resources on the ill-fated X-Type sedan.

Stories of a new Jaguar sportscar have been around ever since and now fresh comments from Mike O’Driscoll, Jag Managing Director, imply there’s a distinct possibility we’ll see a new sportscar soon. “If we were to do something, it would be a proper sports car priced like a 911. Wouldn’t it be great to launch a sports car at Geneva on the 50th anniversary of the E-type?” O’Driscoll said.

A report in AutoCar hints there’s work being done on what might be called the Jaguar XE. And even better, it looks like Lotus appears to be involved. It seems as though the XE will use a cropped version of the aluminum chassis currently used for the XK. If all goes well (cross your fingers) expect to see a concept version around this time next year.

Source: Edmunds

Whoa, check this out: a stylish ride that gets 35 miles to the gallon and also puts down 443 Pound Feet of torque to the pavement.

Meet Jaguars new and improved XF diesel. Motivated by a new dual turbo 3.0-liter that puts out 240 hp for the base model or 275 hp S trim. True, not that much for a heavy and luxurious car such as a Jag, but the torque, and a train moving 443 lb-ft should do the trick. And indeed it does, motivating the cat down the road to 60 mph in just 5.9 seconds, topping out at 155. Of course on the inside, it’s got all the Jaguar bits and bobs you’d come to expect. A few cows worth of leather, lots of wood, comfort comfort comfort, that sort of deal.

What’s not to like?

You can’t buy it.

It’s European only.

Aren’t American car companies having trouble with CAFE standards? Doesn’t Ford still own Jag? Do I have to draw you a picture Dearborn?

Source: AutoBlog

Bad news if you own a Jaguar XF in the U.S. of A. The 2009 model is being recalled in North America. Whoops! Yes, the whole damn entire car is being recalled due to faulty speaker wiring. If you’ve purchased the Jaguar XF, whose base price is $49,200, the wires to the speaker system may break. Doesn’t sound so bad except this will lead to not only the failure to the audio system but also the turn indicator sounds, seatbelt warning, lights-on and driver’s door open warning chimes, seat-adjustment memory and adaptive cruise control warning signals. Holy mama of an automotive mishap!

The Jaguar XF is no stranger to recall. In August, 7,918 models were also recalled for such niceties problems with the rear seatbelt D-ring assembly, which in the event of a crash the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, and reconfiguration of the instrument control software. This time around
 Jaguar has issued a recall for 3,754 2009 XF sedans.

My next driving assignment was the Jaguar XF. As excited as I was with the Jaguar XK-R, I was less than enthusiastic about this one. “It doesn’t look like a Jaguar.” I whined.

I was guilty of prejudice and expected to bored and underwhelmed by this car. But, like some turnaround plots, I got in the car and was changed. I changed my mind about this car. I changed my mind about Jaguar and the Brits. I expected Jaguar to sell cars with styling, legacy and tradition. But what I got was a car that was one of the most tech savy, most well integrated and balanced cars I’ve driven in a while.

Color me impressed. The interior bathes you in a warm blue glow and with motorized, moving everything. It is gimmicky but it really works. The shift knob is a little dial that floats up on command. Where’s the gear changing stick you say. Well, that is a remnant of the old world. Electronic transmissions don’t need a big mechanical stick to function. Drivers might want it like a security blanket. But it really is not an elegant and ergonomic solution to the problem.

The rest of my experience is like a dream. This car drives like the perfect daily driver. And the B&W sound system is one of the best I have ever witnessed in a car.

Read on to our very own Gary Chan’s review and discover what this car is all about.
2009 Jaguar XF Review: When the world is not enough

And hear James May of Top Gear rave about the XF and see the car in it’s glory.

By Gary Chan

Pros

• Tuned suspension feels great
• B&W sound system
• Verbal navigation instructions clear and accurate
• Engine – smooth as silk

Cons

• Navigation UI not intuitive and as easy to use as some systems
• Resonance from either exhaust or transmission: a droning sound generated between 1250 -1750 rpm. It was quite noticeable and my wife asked me while riding in back, “What is that sound?”
• Small trunk
• Rear seat legroom

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By Twain Mein

Pros:

• Stunning styling
• Incredible power
• Beautiful interior
• Exclusivity

Cons:

• Useless back seats
• Minor complaints including hard to read GPS and poor radio reception
• No sunroof
• $90,000 is too much for mere mortals

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The Jaguar XKR is a grand tourer produced by British car maker Jaguar since 1996. The car was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show on March 5th 1996 and is available as a coupé and convertible. Currently in its second generation (Mark II) , the XK8 was the first 8 cylinder vehicle produced by Jaguar, when the Jaguar AJ-V8 engine was introduced.

Shouldered and powerful as always, but sleeker now with aluminum bodyshell drawn taut across the chassis, the second generation Jaguar XKR coupe is purposefully trimmed and tuned for heart-pounding performance.

Under the hood is Jaguar´s latest 4.2-liter, 32-valve, 4-cam aluminum AJ-V8 engine, with cam phasing to stoke response at all speeds. In the XKR, an Eaton supercharger is used to increase horsepower to 420 and propel the Coupe from 0-60 in 4.9 seconds. Controlling all this power is a 6-speed ZF automatic transmission with Jaguar Sequential Shift steering wheel mounted paddle shifting. Very cool.