Friday, September 30, 2011

Video Reviews of new Tata Vista

Below are the few video reviews of new Tata Vista - Sedan Class.



1. Firstly check the review by Bala GT from Sulekha.com


2. Check the new Tata Vista review by Bunny Punia from Gaadi.com





3. Now check the new Tata Vista Review by Rachit Hirani from Carwale.com


4. Lastly check the video review by Rohit Paradkar from Oncars.in



Thursday, September 29, 2011

New Range Rover Spied Again: AutoExpress

AutoExpress's spies catch bigger, better luxury SUV on test – it will be lighter and greener, with an array of technology


2013 Range Rover



The next Range Rover is shaping up. These are the latest spy shots of the all-new luxury SUV, which will arrive next year with lower running costs, more space and better performance.

It will take the fight to the Porsche Cayenne, and over the coming years will also have to compete with the Maserati Kubang and a new Bentley SUV. So Land Rover has improved the flagship in every way.

It’ll still be instantly recognizable as a Range Rover, though. Just look at the bluff front end with its wide chrome grille and the ‘floating’ glass area. To give it a more modern look, and increase road presence, the designers will round off the edges and add LED daytime running lights. Under the fresh body lies a new aluminium chassis that helps to shed 500kg – allowing the big 4x4 to tip the scales at around 2,000kg.

This weight reduction is combined with a revised power-train, consisting of an uprated 320bhp 4.4-litre diesel engine and a tweaked eight-speed automatic gearbox with stop-start. It all helps to dramatically cut the Range Rover’s emissions from 253g/km to less than 180g/km and bring average fuel economy up to 35mpg.

A diesel V6 is also planned, and if money is no object, you’ll be able to specify a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 as well. A mild hybrid using an electric motor attached to the gearbox is rumored, too.

Inside, rear seat passengers get more space, in response to some complaints that the current Range Rover isn’t roomy enough. 
There will also be plenty of gadgets, such as direct syncing of smart-phones, plus integration of devices like the iPad for rear-seat entertainment.

Expect the new model to be revealed at next March’s Geneva Motor Show, with sales starting in the summer. Prices are likely to increase, meaning the range will start from around £70,000.


Images


Source: Auto Express

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2013 Range Rover spied with less camouflage
Scoop: 2013 Range Rover

Tata Motors Share trading at big discount: Reuters

LONDON: Tata Motors is in no rush to replace its CEO, who stepped down on Sept. 9. It is not the only gap at India's largest auto maker. Shares in the firm, which also owns Jaguar and Land Rover, trade at a big discount to peers. A new CEO might find value by integrating the business more fully.



Tata Motors' market value has slumped 30 percent over the past six months. Its enterprise value sits at a paltry 3.2 times estimates of 2012 EBITDA, based on data from InFinancials. The equivalent number for Ashok Leyland, an Indian competitor, is 6.3. JLR is perhaps better compared to BMW which has a ratio of 7.6.

The market values Tata Motors at around $10 billion. Yet JLR alone would be worth around $13 billion if its value matched its peer group. The rest of Tata Motors may fetch $7 billion if it was put on a par with its other Indian automakers. True, it is easy to miss important differences of detail when drawing parallels such as this. But is Tata Motors really worth no more than half that which peer comparisons suggest it could be?

Concerns over JLR's future sales in the UK and US in light of the current economic climate partly explain the share price discount. Given the level at which shares in the firm trade, a demerger can't be ruled out. There were rumors earlier this year that JLR might be listed separately in London. But the alternative is to work harder at finding real benefits of running the two units together. Costs shared in development of new engine technology and in building markets in other emerging economies -- especially China -- are a start, but no more than that.



Tata acquired JLR in 2008. It deserves credit for returning the upmarket marques to profit. And the 1.15 billion pounds Tata paid Ford now looks like a bargain. But instead of soft peddling on replacing Forster and running the two units as parallel concerns, Tata ought to step up the search for a new CEO. And fight harder for the synergy benefits that underpinned the logic of the JLR purchase in the first place. 


(The author is a Reuters Breakingviews columnist. The opinions expressed are his own)

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Tata Motors Shares split 1:5 from 13 Sep 2011


We drive the Jag-a-licious XF 2.2D: IOL Motoring

Rear three-quarter shot shows off the stunning lines.
Jaguar has been around for a long time now and, until a couple of years ago, it was starting to show. Its cars were lacking in many areas, notably in the ambition department - probably, one has to say, due to financial restraints under troubled Ford ownership.

But ever since Indian corporate giant Tata stepped in, the leaping cats has been clawing its way back up the food chain, doing what it was always meant to do - create beautiful, fast cars.

The XF was is a prime example; it offered something different, a Jaguar that was every bit as dynamic as it was modern. Even conservative South Africans are catching on and XF sales are steadily carving out a market share.

Road-ripping, supercharged V8 range-topping models are all very well, but what about sensible and efficient models? BMW has the 520d, Mercedes its E200 and Audi will soon be introducing an A6 2.0 TDI. Manufacturers face increasing pressure from environmentalists and political groupings such as the EU to introduce more efficient engines – which is why Jaguar has given us the XF 2.2D, the most economical Jaguar yet.



But it's not just the engine that's new. Dramatic design changes have brought the XF's styling into line with the XJ flagship model. It's more rounded from the front, giving it a more aggressive stance, with much slimmer, XJ-style, headlights incorporating LED daytime running lights arranged in a distinctive ‘J-Blade’ signature pattern.

New tail-light clusters, fully LED-lit, extend into the central portion of the boot lid, making the the XF - in my opinion, anyway - one of the finest-looking cars available today, especially in full XF-R trim. 

Slimmer, XJ-style, headlights incorporate
LED daytime running lights arranged in a
distinctive J-Blade signature pattern.
The cabin is uniquely welcoming, spacious and stylish, with dramatic ‘surprise and delight’ elements such as the JaguarDrive selector that rises from the centre console and air vents that rotate to their open position when the starter is pressed – and yes, the button still pulsates like a heartbeat. Jaguar has also sorted out some previous interface issues and the XF has a new touch screen and media interface system.

Our journey started at Lanseria airport, from where we were flown by helicopter to the magnificent Legends lodge and golf course in Limpopo, surrounded by perfect roads on which to try the XF's driving dynamics. The altitude, extremely high ambient temperatures - around 32 degrees in some places - and having the aircon on full blast all the time also gave us the opportunity to see whether the 140kW, 450Nm AJ-i4D 2.2 diesel engine has what it takes.

OK, the XF 2.2D is not the quickest car out there but then, it's not intended to be. Jaguar quotes average fuel consumption of 5.4 litres per 100km; we managed 6.8 under admittedly adverse conditions, not least thanks to a quicker-acting stop/start function.



The XF 2.2D gets from 0-100km/h in about 8.5 seconds and overtaking from 120km/h can be done with confidence. It's also blessed with a very smooth ZF eight-speed auto 'box that'll change down from top to fourth or even third without you feeling a thing.

Throw the Jag through some corners and you're in for some fun; the launch drive included a boulder-littered, twisty mountain pass on which the XF admirably retained its composure, whether going up or down. But it was the comfort of the ride that impressed me - smooth, quiet, and at high speeds the Jag digs its claws into the road and feels completely planted.

VERDICT

The XF 2.2 diesel is available in two trim levels, Luxury and Premium Luxury. Premium Luxury (R522 480) gets you keyless entry, a heated steering wheel and seats, front and rear parking sensors and 18" alloy rims as opposed to the R452 480 Luxury's 17" hoops.

The new XF looks fantastic, offers a comfortable ride with most of the luxuries one expects, and the 2.2-litre diesel derivative doesn't stand back from its rivals in any respect whatsoever.

In a word: Jag-a-licious

Source: IOL Motoring

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Jaguar's 12MY Range now available in Middle East North America (MENA) Showrooms

Jaguar's 12MY Range




Jaguar Middle East and North Africa has announced the arrival of its highly anticipated 12MY line up across MENA showrooms. Unveiled at the Geneva and New York motor shows earlier this year, the 12MY fleet features the newly renovated, award winning XF and enhanced flagship XJ, as well as the debut of the XKR-S, Jaguar’s fastest production vehicle to date reaching speeds of up to 300 kph.

A saloon with the soul of a sports car, the XF has won accolades and enthusiastic fans across the globe for its dynamic abilities and dramatic looks. Advances in lighting technology has allowed the new 2012 XF model range to adopt the bold Jaguar design language introduced on the flagship XJ saloon. The supercharged XFR has received a unique, assertive styling treatment that signals the performance available in this quintessential Jaguar saloon.

The 2012 model year XK builds on the car’s award-winning reputation as a high-performance sporting GT. A new range-topping variant, the XKR-S, creates a new performance flagship for Jaguar by becoming its most powerful production car ever, capable of reaching 300kph, and 0-100kph in 4.4 seconds. Purposeful cosmetic alterations to the front and rear have been made to the entire XK range, bringing its visual appeal right up to date, while further personalization options are available to both the car’s performance and styling through a series of special order upgrade packages. New interior options will allow the discerning driver to emphasize either the luxury or performance aspects of the XK’s nature.



For the flagship Jaguar XJ luxury saloon, a suite of enhancements to the interior and options list for 12MY includes a new Rear Seat Comfort package, which incorporates electric recline, lumbar adjustment and massage functions to reinforce the ultimate executive limousine experience. Jaguar has also introduced a 3.0-litre petrol V6 engine, a derivative created especially for the MENA, China and Russia markets. The XJ is truly a product of the 21st century and is the clearest indication yet of the singular sense of purpose behind Design Director Ian Callum’s vision for the future of Jaguar.

Robin Colgan, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Middle East and North Africa said: “Our new fleet is the strongest embodiment of the Jaguar essence that we have seen in decades. We now have three very different beautiful fast cars, which are each at the forefront of their individual categories. We’re incredibly excited about our 2012 XK, XF and XJ which will break new boundaries in performance and design. This is the culmination of over 75 years of racing heritage and we’re thrilled to be able to share the performance and racing aptitude of these vehicles with our customers in the MENA region.”

Substantial changes and improvements across the range have brought performance, refinement and economy to new levels, strengthening the contemporary appeal of Jaguar’s latest line-up. Vehicles are available for viewing and test drives now through Jaguar’s exclusive importers.

Source: Middle East Events


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Jaguar Land Rover wins two awards at Frankfurt show





Jaguar Land Rover won two awards from Autoweek, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, one each for Jaguar and Land Rover brands.

Autoweek's editorial team selected the Jaguar C-X16 as its "Best in Show" winner and the Land Rover DC100 Sport as its "Best Concept" at the premier European motor show, a statement said.

Frank Klaas, global head of communications, Jaguar Land Rover, said: "Winning two of the top media awards in our industry here at the Frankfurt Motor Show is a tremendous achievement for the Jaguar and Land Rover brands. This recognition from the editors at Autoweek confirms the strength of design and engineering at Jaguar and Land Rover and the momentum we have at JLR."

The Jaguar C-X16 is a concept ‘One plus One’ (2 seater) sports car that explores future performance hybrid options via an innovative supercharged 3.0-liter V6 producing 375HP (280kW) and 332 lb-ft of torque. 



Adrian Hallmark, global brand director, Jaguar Cars, said: “The C-X16 is our compelling vision for a 21st century Jaguar sports car. It embodies the established Jaguar strengths of sensual design, animal-like agility and inspirational performance and combines these with attributes that set us on a course to create sustainable sports cars of the future.”

Wes Raynal, editor, Autoweek, said: "Jaguar's design director, Ian Callum, has done it again with the Jaguar C-X16 Concept. With its long hood and beautiful curves, the C-X16 has unmistakable Jaguar presence. This is Callum’s second-straight "Best in Show" award from an International show, as his C-X75 Concept won at the Geneva Motor show this past spring. He’s on a roll and we truly love this car.”

Source: Trade Arabia
 

Tata Motors not to get back land, but would get Compensation

Photo of Tata Motors' small car project site at Singur in Hooghly district of West Bengal.




KOLKATA: Calcutta high court on Wednesday ruled that the state government was well within its rights to repossess the land in Singur, Hooghly that was handed over to Tata Motors for a small car factory. Tata Motors can't get back possession of the land but can apply for compensation to the district judge of Hooghly who will determine the same under sections 23 and 24 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. Justice I P Mukherjee, however, announced an unconditional stay on his order till November 2, giving Tata Motors an opportunity to file an appeal before a division bench of the Supreme Court.

Justice Mukherjee observed that the Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Act, 2011 and the Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Rules, 2011 were valid and constitutional. The judge also pointed out that the court had failed to ascertain the achievement of any public purpose through handing over of the land to Tata Motors in the first place. As no socio-development has taken place in Singur till now due to the plans for a small car factory, it would serve a public purpose to hand over part of the land to unwilling farmers, the court held.

The court, however, pointed out that the Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Act, 2011, is unclear as regards compensation. This made it essential for the court to interpret the issue of compensation. While doing so, the court decided that compensation should be decided on the basis of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894.

The compensation will have to paid by the state government as per the decision of the district judge within 6 months of an application by Tata Motors. The district magistrate and superintendent of police, Hooghly, have been appointed joint special officers to ensure 'smooth transition of the land to the state'. Tata Motors may dismantle and take away any property on the land within two months.

Soon after coming to power in the state, the Mamata Banerjee government passed the Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Act, 2011. On June 22 this year, the government took over possession of the land on which Tata Motors had started construction before moving to Sanand in Gujarat. On the next day, Tata Motors moved the high court, challenging the legality of the Act.



With the government announcing plans to start distribution of the land among landlosers, Tata Motors sought an interim stay on this move from the high court. When this move was unsuccessful, the company moved an SLP before the Supreme Court. The apex court, while ordering an interim stay on the distribution of land to landlosers in Singur, urged the high court to complete hearing the matter within a month.

Soon after this, Justice Soumitra Pal of the high court released the matter on personal grounds and it was reassigned to the court of Justice Mukherjee who had to hear the matter from the start.

While counsel for Tata Motors Samaraditya Pal contended that the act was ultra vires the Constitution, state Advocate General Balai Ray argued that the land had been abandoned by the company. Pal accused the Trinamool Congress (which was then in the Opposition) of having driven out his clients from Singur while Mitra claimed that the company had lost all rights of the land as it had not managed to start production within a reasonable time period.


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Tuesday, September 27, 2011

2011 Range Rover Swiss Edition by Project Kahn

2011 Range Rover Swiss Edition




Kahn Design has been pretty busy lately releasing at least one tuning package every week, even though most people’s eyes are caught up with the new toys at the Frankfurt Motor Show. This week is no different as Kahn has released a new tuning kit based on the Land Rover Range Rover. It’s called the Swiss edition and, as its name suggests, has been destined for Switzerland for use by patrol police.

This special police car will be painted mostly in black with a white standard hood and Kahn RS 22-inch wheels. A special custom interior will combine style and personality with a stylish police theme. It also seems as though this car will be offered in a different number of colors and designs to suit individual specifications.

We love the fact that Kahn Design has created a killer customized design for the boys in blue, and bad guys certainly won’t stand a chance with the Range Rover’s 5.0 liter supercharged engine and specially crafted stainless steel exhaust.

PROJECT KAHN RANGE ROVER SWISS EDITION SPECIFICATION
  • Exterior: 
    • Metallic Black paint with White hood and roof stripe
    • White door tops
    • 22-inch Kahn RS wheels
    • Black rubber side steps with colored edges
    • Quad exhaust system
    • Front lip spoiler
    • Grille insert
    • Optional Cosworth engine conversion
  •  Interior: 
    • Custom leather
    • Police-themed interior design
    • Vesuvius steering wheel and seat stitching
    • Quilted door panels
    • Machined and vented foot pedals
    • Special glass
    • Interior badging




PROJECT KAHN RANGE ROVER SWISS EDITION GALLERY





JLR to continue sourcing engines from Ford Motor





JAGUAR Land Rover (JLR), the wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Motors, will continue to source more powerful 6 and 8 cylinder engines from Ford Motor Company even after its engine plant in the UK goes operational in next couple of years.

Recently, JLR announced its plans to set up a new facility to manufacture new advanced technology, low-emission engines at an investment of £355 million in the UK. “The new plant will manufacture four cylinder engines. It is also being set up to partially offset supply side constraints from Ford for engines after sales of JLR recovered in last one and half year,“ a senior Tata Motors official told Financial Chronicle.

Ralf Speth, chief executive officer of Jaguar Land Rover, had said in a statement, “The all-new family of 4 cylinder engines will increase JLR's capability to offer high performance engines with class-leading levels of refinement, whilst ensuring continued significant reductions in vehicle emissions.“

“The announcement was for new engine plant for the four cylinder market. Currently, we have number of engines on four cylinder configurations and our relationship with Ford will continue for the supply of four cylinder engines till we start producing our new engine range at our plant in the UK,“ JLR spokesperson told FC.

He further said the agreement with Ford would terminate only for four cylinders engines. “But we also have six cylinder and eight cylinder engines that are sourced from Ford. So the agreement with Ford on those might continue. However, it is too early to comment till the engine plant becomes operational in couple of years,“ the spokesperson added.

Partially, there are supply side constraints, but the plant is part of the long-term strategy of JLR of producing engines and building our own capability of designing and producing engines, said JLR spokesperson.

Tata Motors senior management had said that supply side constraints are weighing down on sales of JLR in the global markets.



Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles have a four-six week waiting period in all major markets.

C Ramakrishnan, chief financial officer of Tata Motors, had said, “The engine supply for JLR from Ford was constrained since Tata Motors required more engines than it originally asked for. Ford is delivering more engines than what was contracted or indicated, but our demand seems to be even higher than that.” However, JLR has no plans to acquire the existing technology from Ford. “No, we will not buy the technology from Ford. We will be developing our own technology. It will be part of our product development strategy — designing, developing and manufacturing of engines in-house,” the spokesperson said.

JLR expects huge growth in four cylinder powered vehicles market.

“It is one of the reasons we have the long-term strategy.

The four cylinder engine will be smaller and will have high sustainability and performance.

At present, JLR is upbeat about the demand pick-up.

It is receiving 25,000 - 30,000 bookings for the compact premium sports utility vehicle Land Rover Evoque in the UK, Europe and other global markets.

Meanwhile, the UK-based subsidiary of Tata Motors, is in the process of launching refreshed versions of 12 Jaguar car models, which include XK, XF, XJ. “Many people have postponed buying of Jaguars. But after we launch the refreshed models of XK, XF and XJ we expect sales of Jaguars to go up,“ the JLR official said.

Global sales of Jaguar had fallen by 23 per cent to 19,124 units in the first five months of this financial year, as compared to same period previous year.

While cumulative sales of Land Rover are 83,327 units, higher by 23 per cent for the same period over previous year.


Source: MyDigitalFC

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Jaguar Land Rover confirms new UK plant
Jaguar confirms £400m plant in the Midlands: Sunday Telegraph


Monday, September 26, 2011

BMW powered Range Rover Evoque to enter 2012 Dakar Rally

BMW powered Range Rover Evoque for 2012 Dakar Rally




The Dakar rally is regarded as the toughest motor race on Earth and each year it brings new challenges for the daredevils of speed who tackle thousands of kilometers in a matter of days over some of the most rugged terrains. Next year, the rally will take drivers and riders over some really unforgiving terrain in South America. The Volkswagen works team has dominated the sport for some time and this year they will face a new opponent.


The Range Rover Evoque, the stylish off-roader that Land Rover launched earlier will feature in the 2012 edition of the Dakar Rally. The car has been commissioned by RaBe Race Cars and racing the cars will be the British Excite Rally Raid Team. The Evoque has proved to be brilliant on and off the track but it will need some serious heavy-duty modifications before been let lose over the stages.





Of course, the suspension will need to be toughened-up and powering the car will be a 3.0 litre, 6-cylinder, turbodiesel engine from BMW. The engine puts out 275 horsepower and 650 torques and has been the engine of choice for its reliability, performance and economy. The power is transferred to the road via a 6-speed ZF transmission and a dual-speed transfer case. The Dakar rally spec Evoque will ride on BF Goodrich G Series rubber.

The British rally team will race three cars in the 2012 event and here is what team manager, David Jones had to say-
“We’ve been working on this project for a long time”, he said. “We were approached by a manufacturer, RaBe Race Cars, whose staff has been around the sport for a long time. Seeing our professional approach, they asked if we could work together. We have goals we can assist each other with, so we have now set our sights a bit higher.”

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Aluminum engines for Tata cars

Tata Motors is planning to take the aluminum route to woo the price-conscious Indian consumer. At a time when the sales of its products are falling faster than the industry average, the company is working on lightweight all-aluminum engines for its passenger car offerings, which being lighter than the present cast-iron blocks, offer better fuel efficiency.



All the company’s future car engines will feature all-aluminum (head and block) construction, for which work is in progress, said the company spokesperson.

Tata Motors’ sales in the first five months of the fiscal year dropped 21% to 99,129 units.

Currently, Tatas claim a mileage of 25-kilometre per litre mileage (kmpl) for its diesel hatchback Indica and the Indigo compact sedan. Based on the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) — testified voluntary fuel economy disclosures by car makers — 25 kmpl is so far the highest in India.

Tata is also working on different versions of its direct injection common rail engines with focus on increasing the efficiency of combustion chamber.

Work is also happening on a diesel version of the micro car Nano. The petrol Nano in ideal conditions offers 23 kmpl.

The diesel version is expected to have a fuel economy of 30-35 kmpl,  though the company is tight-lipped about it.

TV Commercial of the all new Tata Vista Sedan Class

Watch the new TV commercial of the all new Tata Vista Sedan Class which is released by Tata Motors on 1st Sep 2011.





Jaguar XFR Review: AutoExpress

Storming supecharged V8 sports saloon is a peach to drive, but costs a lot to run


Rating:




  • For : Searing acceleration from supercharged V8, stylish looks, comfortable ride
  • Against : Enormous running costs, traction can be limited in the wet, steep depreciation
The XFR is the pinnacle of the Jaguar XF range, packing a 510bhp 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine that gives it crushing performance. Thanks to adaptive dampers this extra pace and amazing handling doesn’t come at the expense of comfort. Beware though, traction can be limited in the wet, while bills for tyres, servicing, fuel and tax are all very hefty indeed.

Styling 

Jaguar designers have gone for a less-is-more approach with the XFR. They have resisted adding big wings and spoilers, seeking to beef-up the flagship sporting saloon with bonnet vents, a subtle bodykit and 19-inch alloy wheels. Latest models – from September 2011 onwards – look the best thanks to redesigned headlights and taillights and a new bumper arrangement. Apart from some sports seats and some XFR badging, it’s business as usual inside. The cabin, like the exterior, is very modern with cool blue lighting and a touchscreen central display. There are lots of neat touches including a circular gear selector that rises up when the ignition is turned on, and air vents that automatically open. However, while there’s lots of wood, leather and metal surfaces, some materials feel a bit cheap and it’s sometimes hard to access the correct buttons on the touchscreen. Rear visibility isn’t great either. Equipment is lavish with leather, climate control, Xenon headlights, cruise control, a high-spec stereo, satnav and Bluetooth.

Driving and Performance 

There’s no doubt about it: the XFR is a riot on the road. That 510bhp 5.0-litre supercharged V8 has enormous perfomance, rocketing the car from 0-60mph in just 4.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 155mph. Overtaking potential is devasting thanks to deep reserves of torque, while the off-beat V8 soundtrack will have you racing to redline as often as you can. The six-speed auto could be a bit smoother and quicker, but with paddle shifters it’s easy to tap into the performance. The handling is sublime, with sharp turn-in and agile dynamics. It feels a much smaller car than it actually is. Traction is limited in the wet though – certainly compared to Audi quattro models.

MPG and running costs 

You’d better have some deep pockets if you want to buy and run an XFR. Jaguar quotes 22.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 292g/km, which means you’ll often be seeing the forecourt of your local garage while road tax will cost a whopping £1,000 in the first year of registration and £460 thereafter. With all that power going through the rear wheels, expect significant tyre wear while servicing at a Jaguar dealer will not come cheaply.

Practicality 

Like the standard XF, jump in the back and if you’re over six-foot tall you’ll notice you don’t have a lot of headroom. That’s down to the sloping coupe-style roofline which robs some space from passengers. However, most people will be fine, even though the wide transmission tunnel means there’s only really space for two in the back. As for the boot it’s deep and, at 540-litres, large enough for several suitcases. You can also fold the rear seats down for longer items, extending this to over 900-litres.



Safety and reliability 

While the XF only achieved a four-star EuroNCAP crash rating, it is very safe, with plenty of airbags, gizmos like automatic cruise control, standard traction and stability control and a pop-up bonnet to protect pedestrians in the event of a collision. Owners reported poor reliability in the 2010 Driver Power survey though – more than likely teething problems with early cars, which should have been solved by now.

Source: Auto Express

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Video: The Creation of the Jaguar C-X75

The Jaguar C-X75 concept was a product of design heritage and a celebration of technology.

Jaguar recently produced this video showing the creation process of their C-X75 concept.And it is quite possible the best four minutes of our day so far as we can see in greater detail the time and effort put in.Drawing inspiration from their one-off XJ13 that was originally built for Le Mans duty (but wasn't eligible in the end due to new regulations), chief designer Ian Callum and his team have crafted a drop-dead gorgeous machine.





First revealed a year ago at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, the C-X75 is powered by four 194hp electric motors, one for each wheel, which produces a total of 780hp and 1,180 lb-ft of torque.

What powers these motors are two diesel-powered micro gas turbines in place of a conventional gasoline-powered engine. Jaguar has stated that C-X75 will make production, but its engine technology will not be in the final version because of ongoing development.





Source: Car Buzz

Jaguar Land Rover aims to double sales this year in India


Jaguar Land Rover, the U.K.-based unit of Tata Motors Ltd. (TTM), aims to more than double its vehicle sales in India this financial year as a growing number of wealthy individuals lifts demand for luxury cars and sport-utility vehicles.



Jaguar Land Rover plans to sell about 1,800 vehicles in the year through March, up from the 891 it sold last year, a person with direct knowledge of the matter told Dow Jones Newswires recently.

"From April to August, the company has sold more than 650 vehicles. At this rate, the target of about 1,800 for this fiscal year should be easy to achieve," said the person, who asked not to be named.

An increase in the number of millionaires and billionaires in India is driving luxury car sales, encouraging companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, BMW AG, Daimler AG, Porsche AG and Audi AG to introduce more models.

India's population of high-networth individuals grew 21% in 2010 to 153,000, according to the annual World Wealth Report issued by Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management and Capgemini. The high-networth individuals were classified as those with investable assets of at least $1 million, excluding primary residence, collectibles, consumables and consumer durables.

Jaguar Land Rover, which was acquired by Tata Motors from Ford Motor Co. for $2.3 billion in 2008, now sells the XJ, XF and XK sedans from Jaguar in India. It also sells the Freelander, Discovery and Range Rover SUVs from the Land Rover brand.

Jaguar Land Rover in May opened its first assembly plant in India in the western city of Pune. The plant will initially assemble Land Rover's Freelander 2 SUV from completely-knocked down kits imported from its Halewood manufacturing plant in Liverpool, U.K.

Tata Motors has previously said it eventually plans to assemble other Land Rover vehicles in Pune, but the person said such a move is unlikely this financial year.



After the acquisition of Jaguar Land Rover in 2008, sales of luxury vehicles slumped due to the global credit crunch. Sales have recovered since, turning Jaguar Land Rover into the biggest revenue and profit generator for Tata Motors.

Jaguar Land Rover sold 102,451 vehicles globally during the April-August period, up 10% from a year earlier. Sales in the past fiscal year rose 26% to 243,621 vehicles.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Range Rover Review: AutoExpress

The world's best off-roader boasts a limousine-like driving experience, lots of space and imposing looks


Rating:
For : Beautiful cabin, superb refinement, amazing off-road ability
Against : Enormously high running costs, huge size, depreciation is harsh




The Land Rover Range Rover is the ultimate SUV. It combines Bentley levels of interior opulence with a luxury limo-style driving experience, yet offers incredible off-road ability. Latest versions get an uprated diesel engine which is quick and smooth. Running costs are still very high whatever the engine, but all models have a fantastic image and are extremely desirable.

Our pick: 4.4TDV8 Vogue SE

Styling

There is no more imposing vehicle on the road than the Range Rover. Its traditional boxy shape has been evolved over the years, and the latest model is the best-looking yet with huge, jewel-like front lights, a floating roofline and trademark features such as the split tailgate at the rear. The best thing about the interior of a Range Rover is the driver's seat, which is raised to give you a magisterial view of your fellow road users. Cabin quality is absolutely superb with big chunks of wood and metal plus soft leathers - Bentley craftsmen would be proud. There is loads of space up front and neat features like the digital dashboard – which switches to put the rev counter in the middle of the display in Sport mode – and a dual-screen on the centre console that allows the driver to look at satnav instructions while the passenger watches a film. All the buttons and stalks feel weighty and of high quality. As for equipment, 'standard' Vogue models get cruise control, a CD changer and Bluetooth. Autobiography specification comes with everything you can wish for, although there are plenty of options including a 19-speaker Harman Kardon stereo and a rear seat DVD entertainment system.

Driving and Performance

The only sensible choice when it comes to Range Rover engines is the latest 309bhp 4.4-litre V8 diesel. It has a super smooth eight-speed automatic gearbox, does 0-60mph in 7.5 seconds – not bad for a car that weighs close to three tonnes – and has even more torque than the 503bhp 5.0-litre supercharged V8 model, so it's even quicker in the gears. If you have an oil well at your disposal the V8 might be worth a look - it makes a lovely noise - but really the diesel is so quiet and rapid, you'd be a fool to ignore it. Given that the Range Rover is one of the world's best off-roaders, it is astonishingly good on the road too. Adaptive air suspension keeps body roll in check and there's quite a lot of grip too. It's not sporty like a Porsche Cayenne, as the steering is light and a little vague, but the Range Rover is brilliant at soaking up bumps and dispensing with long distances with ease. Motorway road noise doesn't really enter the cabin and the only cause for complaint is the wind noise created by the bluff shape at high speed.



MPG and running costs

Unfortunately, you can't run a Range Rover on a budget. Far from it. Even the diesel emits 253g/km of CO2, so it sits in VED Band L and is hit with a £790 bill for the first year's road tax. The V8 petrol emits 348g/km, so you'll pay £1,000 in the first year. The latter has an eye-watering thirst for fuel with buyers unlikely to get much more than 19mpg in regular driving. The diesel is much better and actually returns 30mpg combined. On top of this, servicing bills and day-to-day maintenance will be very expensive – those big tyres don't come cheap – and despite the desirability of a Range Rover, residual values are not very strong.

Practicality

It measures nearly five metres long – almost the same as a Mercedes S Class – but the Range Rover doesn't quite have as much room in the back as a regular limo. That said, there is still ample room for three tall passengers - although the next-generation model, due in 2012, will be even larger in this respect following mild criticism from current owners. Open the split tailgate and you will be greeted by a huge load area – 994 litres with the rear seats in place (about twice that of a Ford Mondeo) which extends to a van-like 2,099 litres with the rear bench folded down.
Along with four-wheel drive, the Range Rover also gets Terrain Response – a clever system that juggles the traction and stability controls, plus the brakes and the gearbox and suspension, to offer a variety of different modes for tackling streams, rocky paths or steep descents. The Range Rover has the kind of true, go-anywhere ability a Mercedes GL or Porsche Cayenne Turbo can only dream of.

Safety and reliability

With all that metal around you, the Range Rover feels like a very safe place to be and it has lots of equipment to back that up, including seven airbags, electronic brakeforce distribution and stability control. Laminated side glass also features. As for reliability, the Range Rover didn't have a great reputation in the past, but Land Rover has worked hard to fix faults and improve longevity, and despite the complexity of the Range Rover, it's at least as good as a Porsche Cayenne or Mercedes GL.

Source: Auto Express

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Jaguar Land Rover to open dealership in Pune, India

Jaguar Land Rover




Premium car brand, Jaguar Land Rover, or JLR, will open its Pune dealership by early December. The Ace Cars showroom, located close to the another luxury car brand dealership, BMW, as well as to other car showrooms in central Pune, will have the space to display around 12 cars of both brands, Jaguar and Land Rover.

Parvinder Singh Vijan, managing director of the Mumbai-based Asset Group which has other car dealerships in the Mumbai-Pune region and who has bagged this dealership, declined comment since he not authorised to speak about the JLR brands.

Local buyers of these premium brands said that the base level price of a Jaguar, of around Rs. 55-56 lakh, brings it within reach of a larger market and is an alternative to the Mercedes E Class or the BMW 5 Series sedan.

"There are currently about 30 Jags and around 40 Land and Range Rovers in Pune. I think with a dealership opening in the city, this number could easily double in a year's time," Aditya Deshpande, a 25-year old real estate developer, said.

The rest of Maharashtra region which the Pune dealership is expected to target is an attractive market for high end cars. Apart from industry and agriculture, politicians are seen as potential buyers specially of SUVs.

Source: Economic Times

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Jaguar XJ L Review: AutoExpress

British luxury flagship gets a refresh for 2012 – but is it still better to drive than be driven in? 

 Rating:




It's one of the most stylish luxury cars on sale right now – and one that owners would sooner drive themselves, rather than let the chauffeur take charge. But where the Jaguar XJ is concerned, is it better to be in the front or back?

To find out, we tested the 2012 model year XJ L – a subtly updated long-wheelbase version, which gets an enhanced interior and some more luxurious options aimed at improving comfort.

Costing £3,005 more than the standard saloon, the XJ L adds an extra 125mm to the wheelbase for even more rear legroom, so you can really stretch out. The extra length fortunately doesn’t detract from the XJ’s stylish design, and neither does it affect the driving experience, as our extended test drive from London to the Orkney Islands revealed.

As you’d imagine with a car of this type, the XJ L made light work of the motorway sections of our 1,340-mile round trip. Even at speed, hardly any road, engine or wind noise enters the cabin, allowing you to really appreciate the clarity of the superb 1200w Bowers & Wilkins stereo, which is standard on the Portfolio model driven here. It also has ventilated massage front seats, which really take the sting out of long driving stints.

Where the XJ L excels, though, is on a twisty A-road. Thanks to wonderfully precise steering, strong grip and agility that belies its size, this is one luxury limo than can also do a good impression of a sports car.

This sensation is enhanced by the wraparound cockpit, the ability to take control of the slick automatic gearbox with steering-wheel mounted paddles and the way the all-digital instrument dials turn red when you put the car into Dynamic mode.

The XJ L is available with a range of powerful engines, including a supercharged V8 with more than 500bhp. However, it’s the 3.0-litre diesel that makes the most sense.




With sufficient grunt for effortless overtaking – something that proved vital on the busy single-carriageway roads of the Scottish Highlands – and a claimed fuel consumption figure of 40.1mpg, it offers a perfect blend of performance and economy.

But while the XJ L feels brilliant from the driver’s seat, it’s not quite a class leader when it comes to the all-important rear seats. Of course, there is acres of legroom and the seats are extremely comfortable – even more so thanks to the addition of a new option package that includes electric recline, lumbar adjustment and the massage functions. However, the sloping roof limits headroom a little and the sporty suspension means the XJ L feels a bit fidgety on rougher surfaces compared to the totally unflappable Mercedes S-Class. And while the modern interior is beautifully made, it still doesn’t feel quite as special or as expensive as an Audi A8’s.

However, if you’re going to be spending most of your time in the front seat, none of this really matters. The XJ L is the limousine for those who prefer to have a steering wheel, rather than a newspaper, in their hands.

Source: Auto Express UK

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Tata offers accessories worth Rs 10,000 on the Vista

The sedan class all new Tata Vista




Tata Motors had lately facelifted the Vista and tagged it as a hatchback with sedan class features like dual-tone interiors, triple barrel headlamps, steering mounted audio controls, electrically adjustable mirrors etc.

With Shrad going on, the company has offered accessories worth Rs 5,000 in the north, east and western zones of India. Dealerships in the state of Maharashtra, Goa, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh are offering accessories worth Rs 10,000 on the petrol variants of the Vista. This offer is valid only till the 27th of September and on cars whose delivery is before the 30th of September.

Source: CarWale

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Tata, DIMO to revolutionize passenger transport in Sri Lanka

The new Tata Starbus




India’s Tata Motors and Diesel and Motor Engineering PLC is set to revolutionize Sri Lanka’s passenger transport with thirteen models fed into the local market.

“We have introduced thirteen of the nineteen Tata models to the Sri Lankan market as we see opportunities opening with the government developing infrastructure and with the developments in tourism as well,” Tata Motors Regional Head for South Asia and the Far East Bishwadev Senguptha told Daily News Business yesterday.

He said Sri Lankan passenger transport has not seen any substantial upgrades in the last few decades, despite improvements in infrastructure, lifestyles and incomes.

He made these comments at a ceremony to provide airline tickets to 35 agents for a factory visit to Pune and Goa and to see the manufacture of the model of Tata Starbus.

"Tata has made giant inroads into the Sri Lankan market and it is the number one in the heavy vehicles market comprising buses, lorries, trucks and pickups accounting for 46% which is an epitome of our dominance here and very soon we will be number one in the bus market,” he said

He said there were 20,000 Tata buses here and added that he sees a year- on - year growth for buses with the development of infrastructure and well with the other demands arising from buoyant economic growth. DIMOs Tata commercial vehicles Sales Manager Gihan Fernando said TATA has buses ranging from seventeen seaters which is used in school transport to the 57 seaters. He said the Starbus had caught the market very well and tover 700 buses which also had the air conditioning option sold in the last seven months.

The customer acceptance has been very good given the passenger comforts and other sophistications in the engine and the interior.

These were plying on the inter-cities as well as intra-cities and especially on the Colombo- Kandy, Badulla and Galle roads.

A Tata low floor bus, which is a air conditioned 41 seater has been provided to the Central Transport Board to be run on a trial basis on the Colombo-Negombo road and they will be purchasing the buses at the end of the trial.

The Tata DIMO bus, which is a luxury coach, has found acceptance among the tourism companies and there are two buses running on the Colombo-Jaffna route.

Source: www.dailynews.lk

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

2013 Range Rover spied with less camouflage

2013 Range Rover




Next-generation Range Rover spied showing new features of the front fascia 

Here are the latest spy shots of the upcoming 2013 Land Rover Range Rover caught testing in Germany.
Wearing less camouflage than the last time (Read: Scoop: 2013 Range Rover) we spied a next-generation Range Rover prototype, we can now better make out the overall shape of this model. We also get to see some details of the front fascia with features such as the air intakes on the front bumper.

The next-generation Land Rover flagship will be larger than the current Range Rover but will weight around 400 kg (881 lbs) less due to an aluminum chassis the automaker is developing in conjunction with Jaguar.




Source: World Car Fans
 

Review: Range Rover Evoque

Inside and outside, the Evoque’s design tells observers that the driver has arrived
You can measure the importance of a car by the length of build-up to its introduction, and by this yardstick the new Range Rover Evoque is possibly the most important car to be launched by Land Rover in the last decade

First there was the concept, then the public debut (where Victoria Beckham made an appearance), and now finally (after a wait that felt as if Christmas had been postponed), the real thing is here.

The Evoque is crucial because it will be the most accessible Range Rover ever sold. It’s a crucial distinction: the Evoque is cheaper than the Discovery, but that wears the Land Rover tag. The Evoque is a car for those who can’t yet afford a full-house Range Rover but want its status and prestige.

It all begins with the outside appearance of course, which by any standards is eye-catching. The fact that the Evoque looks like a concept car that has driven straight off the show stand shows how brave the company has been.

It has clear brand identifiers such as the clamshell bonnet and twin-bar grille, but the overall shape is much more radical and has a street-toughness about it that mixes with the luxury feel.

Whatever your opinion, the Evoque has unquestionably captured the attention of the car-buying public, and that is more than half the battle. Land Rover has also cleverly gone down the route of massive personalisation, to tempt potential buyers even more.

There are 12 exterior colours, three roof colours and eight alloy-wheel designs, and that’s just the outside. There are 16 “tailored” interiors available as well as a huge list of options.

Choosing your own will be a delicious and welcome dilemma, which is the whole point, but regardless of the boxes ticked, the Evoque’s cabin is another big plus. There are lots of geometric shapes inside that tie with the exterior looks, while the trim and the displays scream luxury.

Of course, this is a significantly cheaper car than a Range Rover, but the Evoque sits comfortably in the same ball park as its illustrious big brother.

Go for the five-door and you have a clearer view out and easier access to the rear seats. The three-door is arguably better looking but with the inevitable penalty of a tricky journey to the second row. Boot space is good regardless, but families who want room will be better served with five doors.

Under the skin, the Evoque has more options than any Range Rover before. As well as the obvious four-wheel drive layout there is a low-emission front-wheel drive model paired to the cleanest 148bhp, 2.2-litre diesel, which achieves an impressive 133g/km of CO2.

There is a higher-output 187bhp version of the diesel, as well as a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that is comfortably the quickest of the range. If you want the full experience then the more powerful diesel with four-wheel drive and automatic gearbox is the way to go.

Land Rover laid on some off-roading for the test drive, and it took only a few hundred metres to dispel any fears about this being a showy on-road poser. The Land Rover off-road genes are clearly there, and the car is capable of more than 99 per cent of its land-dwelling owners are ever likely to go near.

It is on road that the Evoque is most impressive. Most immediately apparent is the directness of the steering, which is well-weighted, with decent feel and a surprising sharpness which highlights how agile and planted the car is.

Even in town, it makes you forget you are driving something which could be called an SUV. The ride, with standard suspension, is impressive too, although alloy-wheel options and the impressive MagneRide damping system give more comfort or sportiness as desired.

Once you’ve finished cruising sedately and glancing at your reflection in shop windows, the temptation to explore its abilities on a quiet road will be irresistible. The promise shown at low speeds is fully realised here too. The Evoque corners with zeal, shrugs off its kerb weight and attacks the road like an overgrown hot hatch. That it can do this without feeling out of its depth in mud or too harsh on broken streets is testament to its breadth of ability.

Some people won’t like the looks and others will dismiss it as another soft-roader for those who don’t need it. But viewed as a car in its own right, the Evoque is a mightily impressive piece of engineering and design.

It is highly desirable, very capable and even decent value. If you’re not a fan already, maybe the sight of hundreds of them on the road in coming months will change your mind.

Combining concept car looks with lightweight technologies, the Range Rover Evoque goes on sale at Shukers Land Rover Shrewsbury and Shukers Land Rover Ludlow with more than a million development miles under its bonnet.



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Jaguar XKR-S Review - EuropeanCarWeb

Jaguar XKR-S: The fastest cat yet out of the bag.




Other cars cloy the appetites they feed, but the XKR-S makes hungry where most it satisfies. —with apologies to Wm. Shakespeare

In less poetic terms, driving the XKR-S left me wanting more, much more, of the most powerful production car ever to wear the Jaguar badge. Honestly, though, this ravenous appetite for more seat time was an unexpectedly pleasant surprise.

When Jaguar first showed the XKR-S I was skeptical of the whole street/track hybrid concept. And I didn’t really like how the wind tunnel had reworked the svelte XKR coupe. The busier surfaces struck me as an aerodynamic engineer’s wet (fluid dynamics) dream and not the reflection of a Jaguar owner’s secret inner self. So why screw up a really good car, I thought, to build a poseur?

Regardless of this hack’s opinion, it is a good time for Jaguar to offer a high-priced ($132,000) version of the XKR. Jaguar’s place on quality surveys is higher than it’s been in most car buyers’ memories, and profits are up under Indian company Tata’s ownership, so why not offer a hyperbolized Jaguar, particularly if the outstanding result is quite unlike anything else on the road?

Essential elements of the S program begin with the corporate 5.0-liter supercharged V8. Rated at 503 hp in the XKR, it received rewritten software and a revised exhaust for S duty, increasing output to 542; even better, peak torque rises from 451 to 502 lb-ft. Zero to 60 mph comes up in a quick 4.2 seconds, about half a second quicker than the XKR, and 100 mph flashes by in less than 9. The six-speed paddle-shift transmission is right out of the XKR, and it’s one of the best around. Upshifts are without delay, and it can skip gears for quicker downshifts. Fitment of bespoke ZR-rated Pirellis, the additional power and the slippery shape allowed Jaguar to raise the top speed from 155 to an impressive 186 mph, makes the XKR-S a new member of the rather exclusive 300 km/h club.

The S sounds impressive, too, emitting a rumbling idle that hasn’t been heard around the Jaguar works since the race shop closed up. Unique to the S model is a new “performance active exhaust,” which uses valves to moderate low-speed decibels and then unleash them with a baritone growl as the revs increase. The system also features a new crossover pipe that eliminates one of the mufflers and reduces backpressure. And to remind the driver why he’s paid around $35,000 more for his S than for a standard XKR, a small duct siphons a delicious measure of that roar into the otherwise well-insulated passenger compartment.
Additional power is always welcome for track days, but whatever competition cred the XKR-S will earn has to come from below the beltline. Beginning with revisions to the wishbone suspension, Jag’s engineers also stiffened the front uprights, increased spring rates by 28 percent in front and 32 percent at the rear, developed an “active” locking differential, wrote new software for the driver-selectable handling aids and fit lightweight 20-inch forged wheels wrapped by Pirelli P Zeros with staggered sizes of 255/35 front and 295/30 rear.



The most striking element of the makeover, Ian Callum’s design, might suggest the surly visage and bulging muscles of an empty-headed male model stalking a fashion runway, but solid science underlies the aggressive attitude for a reduction of overall lift by 26 percent. The nose is markedly different from previous XKs and sports slimmer LED headlamps, a new front bumper, carbon-fiber splitter, lower spoiler and trick vertical slots at the outer edges of the front fenders to channel air along the lower side sills for greater directional stability. Rear lift is kept in check by a new, S-only wing with carbon center section and a carbon venturi structure under the rear bumper.

Other styling touches unique to the S are gloss-black exterior trim, red or gunmetal brake calipers and a range of five paint colors that includes French Racing Blue and Italian Racing Red. British Racing Green? Nope.

Not so with the XKR-S. It’s balanced in the corners, stable at high speeds, quiet when cruising and voluble when pushed hard. It’s probably the most well-adjusted bipolar car on the road, capable of switching between goddess and whore at the driver’s whim. It not only satisfies on so many levels—it leaves you wanting more. This is the sign of a great car.

For aggressive drivers, the new front buckets are a welcome addition. Broad enough in the beam to accommodate even the plus-sized, and with substantial bolstering for shoulders and thighs, they also are heated and electronically adjustable 16 ways for a level of comfort rarely found in performance seating. Also exclusive to the S are a new three-spoke, multi-function steering wheel; bespoke trim materials and several combinations of micro-piping stitching in the leather upholstery. Customers can opt for a dark aluminum finish to the interior panels or go for more traditional wood accents.

This is all good stuff, but is it enough to transform a luxurious GT into a capable track car, if only for a gentleman racer’s weekend lark at the motorsports club?

Jaguar was bold, even a bit reckless, in choosing an F1 test circuit, Portugal’s Autodromo Algarve. A new car, an unfamiliar and very technical circuit full of elevation changes, blind crests, off-camber corners and short braking zones seemed a recipe for disappointment, if not disaster. I figured on a few safe, lazy laps before hitting the public roads and a less frantic test environment.

But after just a few laps of recon, with the car’s traction aids fully engaged, I felt entirely comfortable. The XKR-S is big and heavy, but it drives like a smaller car because of the prodigious power and exceptional grip. It was able to both feed my need for speed and still make me hungry for more.

This hunger caused me to switch to the new Trac DSC mode, which provoked an entirely different experience. With the engine’s power almost completely unrestrained, an inattentive right foot in the wrong part of the corner overwhelmed the Pirellis and sent the rear end off on a tangent of its own. Bringing the chassis back in line, was, however, very easy due to the quick, precise steering and the active rear nanny, er, differential. Even so, I’d had enough after one lap of “throw and catch” and reverted to a less aggressive setting. Default track behavior is slight understeer, so the quickest way around is slow in and fast out of the corners, letting the engine’s muscle make up the time lost in the braking zone, the weakest link in the car’s repertoire. A good set of carbon brakes would go a long way to making the XKR-S even more trackworthy.
Even with the compromises to comfort and safety, the XKR-S is a capable track car. In the right hands, the XKR-S is bloody fast. It ran the Nordschleife in under 8 minutes, remarkable for a luxury GT—but it probably won’t take fast lap of the day away from, say, a Porsche 911 Turbo, if for no other reason than the brakes, which are just fine on the street but fade after a few hot laps, and the Jag’s weight. Racing technology begins with adding lightness, but the XKR-S tips the scales at a far-from-lightweight 3,900 pounds, about the same as the normal XKR. It helps that the extra mass of the body panels and rear wing is offset by a reduction in unsprung mass (around 11 pounds) from the larger, lighter Vulcan forged wheels, but there’s no evading the fact of the coupe’s heavy footprint, no matter how “racy” it looks.
If the S was good on the track, it was absolutely brilliant on Portugal’s winding backroads. Despite the stiffer suspension, it still gobbled up the miles with the compliant grace expected from the Jaguar motoring experience. In fact, I felt energized rather than exhausted after hours-long blasts over the narrow roads. Driving some performance cars is like making love to a nymphomaniac: great fun at first. Then, when you need a breather, maybe a cuddle, all you get is an insistent tap on the shoulder and the command to climb back into the saddle.

 

2012 Jaguar XKR-S

Layout
Longitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive

Engine
5.0-liter V8, dohc, 32-valve, supercharged

Transmission
Six-speed automated manual

Suspension
Front and rear independent double wishbone, coil springs, electronically damped shocks

Brakes
Single-piston swing calipers,
compound discs

Dimensions
Length/Width/Height (in.): 188.7/74.5/51.6
Wheelbase: 108.3 in.
Curb Weight: 3,857 lb.


Performance
Peak Power: 542 hp @ 6000 rpm
Peak Torque: 502 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm
0-60 mph: 4.2 sec.
Top Speed: 186 mph (limited)
MSRP: $132,875

Source: EuropeanCarWeb

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