Jaguar XF + Rodas 22"

Jaguar XF + Rodas 22"

Jaguar XFR - Supercharged fun from Jaguar

Setting the pace for future Jaguar models, the XF breaks with the retro-stylings of the S and XK. It was the goal of Jaguar design director Ian Callum to return the brand to a position of setting styling trends rather than revisiting past ones. The XF is the first product reflecting his vision.

Jaguar's tradition, however, is one of more than just styling innovation; it also includes a passion for performance. Enter the $80,000 XFR.

Using a variety of technologies, Jaguar has infused the XFR with attitude and ability. This is not a luxury performance sedan for the feint of heart. Yes, its stunning good looks will turn heads and inspire thumbs-up signals from passing drivers, but the core of the XFR's driving experience is its adrenalin-pumping acceleration and cat-like agility. It's a driver's car first and a luxury sedan second. If you are looking for a sedate, insulated luxury sedan, there are plenty of nameplates out there offering a plush, tomb-quiet touring experience. The XFR just isn't one of them.

The motoring press is a fickle lot, but in the XFR's first few months praise has been heaped upon it in quantities that border on embarrassing. You would have an easier time finding a Mensa Society member at a tractor pull than a serious negative word on the XFR in a published review. It's that good.

The XFR's blistering quickness comes via a 5-liter supercharged V8. It generates 510 horsepower and 461 pound feet of torque. Delivering this robust output to the rear wheels is a ZF six-speed driver-shiftable automatic transmission. Whether set to automatic or manual mode, this transmission shifts up or down quickly maximizing rpms. It dashes away from green lights as though shot from a cannon; reaching 60 miles per hour from a standstill takes just over four seconds. The exhaust note has been specifically tuned for the XFR and its rich burble finds its way into the cabin from time to time.

Although the XFR's supercharged V8 is larger, putting out 90 more horsepower and 48 additional pound feet of torque than the 4.2-liter supercharged V8 available in last year's XF, it delivers nearly the same fuel economy. In fact the EPA rates the city/highway combined mileage of both engines at 17 mpg. The 5.0L loses a couple mpg to the 4.2L in highway mileage but still manages an estimated 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway.

Comfortable but firm, the ride is more about handling than it is about pampering fannies. The XFR uses beefier anti-roll bars than the vanilla XF. It has an active suspension featuring Bilstein electronic varying shocks. Stiffer spring rates also do their part to keep the XF flat and neutral in the twisties. Z-rated performance rubber mounted on 20-inch wheels enhances the traction and stability.

Four-wheel disc brakes with 15-inch rotors monitored by an antilock system rein in the XFR's forward motion. Electronic stability control, traction control, emergency braking assist and electronic brakeforce distribution are all included.

Beyond the badging, there is little to differentiate the appearance of the XFR from the more subdued XF. That can be good or bad depending on whether you are trying to showoff for the folks loitering around the valet stand or maintain a low profile around those badge-toting uniforms writing out speeding awards. Exterior upgrades include a mesh grille, a trunk-lid spoiler, sculpted side skirts and quad exhaust tips. Inside the XFR gets its own sport seats with electrically adjustable side bolsters. Everything else is standard XF.

Other than paying a premium for requesting certain exterior paint and interior color schemes, there are no options available on the XFR. Everything is included.

Leather, wood and wool find their way into the XFR's cabin by the square yard. Pushing the red start button on the center console not only cranks the engine, but sets the dash-mounted air vent rotating open and raises the circular gear selector from its resting position in the center console. In addition to full power accessories, the XFR has adaptive cruise control, leather-wrapped tilt-telescoping steering wheel with redundant audio controls, keyless ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 14-speaker Bower & Wilkins audio system with 7.1 surround sound, auxiliary input jack, iPod integration and Sirius satellite radio capability.

Although rear-seat occupants may find legroom a bit lacking, the cabin is generally roomy. The trunk holds nearly 18 cubic feet of luggage. The door openings are sufficiently wide for easy ingress and egress.

Able to give the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG ulcers, the XFR is a world-class competitor in the mid-size luxury performance sedan arena. It will thoroughly surprise those who imagine Jaguar as a staid brand for the horses-and-hounds set. Think of it as taking the absolute most drop-dead gorgeous person in the class to prom and then discovering he or she can dance like a professional instructor.

By Russ Heaps
MyCarData

Jaguar XKR - High Class, High Speed Fun

Something about Jaguars makes it easy to forget that they're bona fide exotic cars. Maybe it's their air of subtle reserved elegance; maybe it's the well-publicized quality-control issues that plagued the brand throughout the 1980s. Maybe it's the fault of the unlamented "bargain Jaguar" X-Type. Whatever the reason, this brand's image has evolved from that of an unstoppable LeMans stormer to a silky cruiser.

Jaguars can still run, though, and the days when they challenged Porsches and Mercedes on the track aren't that far away. The XKR arrives for 2010 to emphasize this facet of the marque's history. Powered by a supercharged version of Jaguar's new 5.0 liter V8, this high-end sports coupe is a reminder that the folks from Coventry can put together a seriously fast and capable vehicle.

The rush of a supercharged Jaguar V8 is an automotive delicacy. It's not just that there's 510 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque on tap; it's the delivery that makes it almost magical, an endless rush of power that shoves you back in your seat without ever becoming violent. The new engine uses direct injection and variable cam timing, and though displacement and power have increased significantly, fuel economy's also better.

A twin-vortex supercharger boosts power by 23 percent compared to last year's XKR, and the dual exhaust provides the right soundtrack. Plant your foot, and the XKR launches with the inevitability of death and taxes. The six-speed automatic transmission is controlled by a unique dial-like interface, and delivers solid, confident shifts. Steering wheel paddles offer manual gear selection, and the massive power is kept under control with a standard limited-slip Active Differential Control. Not surprisingly, this car is adept at high-speed cruising, as well as boasting a sub-five second 0-60 time.

Jaguar's been into lightweight body structures for a while, and the XKR's stiff undercarriage is almost entirely aluminum. Jaguar has ditched the awfully-named Computer Active Technology Suspension (CATS) active suspension with Active Dynamics. Where CATS had only "soft" and "firm" settings, Active Dynamics offers a full range of automatic suspension settings. The XKR controls body roll and pitch actively, tightening the suspension when necessary and measuring grip at each wheel to adjust where necessary. Dynamic Stability Control is also standard. In seat-of-the-pants terms, that means this car seems to cling to the road better the harder it's pushed. It's responsive enough to be manageable in traffic without feeling cramped or ponderous.

Visually, the XKR is a subtle beast. Extravagant wings and spoilers just aren't Jaguar's style, after all. Since this car's starting point is the sleek and handsome envelope body of the XK coupe, it's already eyecatching enough. The front end has been slightly revised with an oval grille that's reminiscent of classic Jaguars. The new taillights and side marker lamps are lit with LEDs. The XKR is distinguished by a chromed lower grille and a redesigned lower rear valance panel. A choice of nineteen or twenty-inch wheels is offered.

Interior comfort is provided in Jaguar style, which means firm seats, a snug cabin and lavish appointments. The XKR is technically a four-seater, but the rear seats are more useful as a package shelf than for transporting living human beings. Consider this car a getaway vehicle for two. The seats take some getting used to, with ten-point adjustability; some drivers will love them while others will hate 'em. It's hard to dislike the dark oak with mesh aluminum trim and watch-style instrument panel, however, and this big Jag is comfortable enough to drive all night. Standard equipment includes a seven-inch touch screen controlling audio and climate control functions, as well as the available navigation system. High-end sound is provided by a 525-watt Bowers & Wilkins system. Be sure to pack the handsomely finished cargo area with enough luggage for two, because you may not want to come right home.

So the XKR is a serious performer. Of course, so are its competitors--the BMW M6, Mercedes SL500, Porsche 911 and even the Audi R8. In this crowd, five-second 0-60 times and Velcro-like handling are expected. What the XKR brings to the table is a subtle air of elegance. Yes, it's got stunning power, but it's delivered with a rush rather than a sledgehammer blast. The suspension is comfortable at low speeds and increases its sensitivity as needed. The handsome interior appointments and amenities are matched by Mercedes and BMW, but there's no substitute for the Jaguar's confidence and sense of self, if you will. Can a car have a sense of self? It most certainly can. Pricing for the XKR starts at $95,150, and the optional Nevis 20-inch wheels drove the bottom line of my tester over six figures, to $101,000. That's some serious money, but then the Jaguar XKR is a serious piece of automotive equipment.

By Chris Jackson
MyCarData

Jaguar XF - the definition of premium class

The Jaguar XF, introduced as a 2009 model, has become one of our favorite mid-sized luxury sports sedans. And to make things even more delicious for 2010, the gorgeous Jag comes in three flavors. Pick your engine size and options and discover the joy of driving a modern British luxury sedan. It doesn’t matter which direction you take, you will be the winner.

Here are the choices for 2010:
• The standard XF featuring a 4.2-liter V-8 making a very energetic 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. It starts at $52,000.
• The Premium with a new 5.0-liter V-8 generating 385 horsepower. It takes the place of the 2009 Supercharged edition, which made 420 horsepower from a supercharged 4.2-liter V-8. The difference, other than horsepower, is the Premium carries a base price of $57,000. Last year’s Supercharged had a base of $64,475.
• The XFR performance champ featuring a supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 making a neck-snapping 510 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. It goes out the door for a cool 80 grand.

We have been following the XF since it was a sketch first shown to us in the UK, then as the C-XF concept that met rave reviews at auto shows followed by the production reveal at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September of 2007 and then at the media launch and drive in December of 2007 giving us a chance to experience what we thought was possibly Jaguar’s most stunning car since the E-Type introduced decades earlier. For us the XF was love at first sight and at every sight since.

We again drove XF last year, taking a seven-day thrill ride in a 2010 XFR during the summer and just recently finishing up seven delightful days in a 2010 Premium.

While the base 2009 XF was a real eye opener because it was our first experience in Jaguar’s new direction and the 2010 XFR gave us some neck-snapping takeoffs and we had tons of fun having left several wannabe boy racers in the dust. But in the end we liked best of all the Premium edition of this raving beauty. It offers nearly 400 horsepower (which should be enough for anybody who doesn’t enter competition events) and a good mix of luxury features for just five grand more than the base, but a whopping 23 grand less than the R model. In any guise the XF is a delight; but budget wise the
Premium hits the sweet spot.

Slide into the plush driver’s seat and push the pulsating red starter button. Magical things occur.

A large gear selector knob rises from a flush position out of the center console. The large round knob is called the JaguarDrive Selector. As you marvel at this bit of trickery, you notice that hidden air vents for the climate control system are rotating into an open position. You almost expect Q, the gadget guy from the James Bond movies, to appear and say, “Here’s what we have for you today.”

You sit in wonderment surveying the cabin and your hand approaches the overhead driver’s side interior reading light. It comes on before your finger can touch it. This approach-sensing phenomenon is called JaguarSense. Likewise, just a touch of a bullseye symbol embedded into the wood on the passenger side opens the glovebox.

Cool blue lighting is everywhere, looking particularly inviting on the dashboard gauges and the center stack controls. The illumination at night is breathtaking.

A touch screen interface operates audio, navigation, climate and driver settings taking the place of the irksome joystick controller knobs found on many high-end cars. And like the best of the bunch, interior temperature, fan speed, radio volume and station selection can be regulated by center stack controls outside the touch screen.

We were surprised at how well it all works, how the touch screen takes you with easy-to-decipher prompts from one point to the next. The owner’s manual can remain unopened behind the fingertip-operated glovebox door.

The first few blocks out we noticed the clock was three or four minutes slow. That’s an aggravation. We made a quick stop, went to the screen, found the settings section and in seconds we had the right time displayed. Try that your first time out with the BMW iDrive.

We’re sure the standard 320-watt Alpine audio system provides excellent sound, but we discovered the optional 440-watt 13-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Dolby surround system to be first rate. If you enjoy state-of-the-art sounds emitting from your speakers, it’s worth the $1,875 option price on the Premium edition. It comes standard on the R model.

It’s not just on the inside where the new Jag sparkles with fresh and innovative styling. The exterior styling is extraordinary as well. Jaguar designers have penned a modern luxury car not in the likeness of the well-worn Jaguar lines carried by the previous S-Type, but more in the form of modern luxury with a whispered hint of classic Jaguars past.

The lines flow upward from a oval chrome mesh grille that resembles a 1968 XJ — so they say — through sculpted hood and into a rear decklid adorned with the Jaguar “leaper” emblem, a long chromed strip and narrow Aston Martin-looking taillamps. The styling is highlighted by front air-dam chrome inserts and vertical side vents behind the front wheels.

It works as a definitive Jaguar and it resembles to our eyes what a modern luxury sedan should look like in the second decade of the 21st century.

But for all this eye candy and interior ambiance, the car would be lost without a great driving disposition. And here, too, the mid-sized Jaguar lives up to expectations.
Performance as measured by 0-to-60 times for comparison purposes ranges from 6 seconds for the 300-horsepower engine, 5.7 seconds for the 385 horsepower engine, and 4.5 seconds for the 510 horsepower R edition.

The revisions that have come with the new Premium edition are significant. The new 5.0-liter V-8 is energetic at all speeds. And the six-speed automatic is intelligent and provides just-right shifts, both up and down.

But there’s no question the R edition is the thrill-seeker with the ability to finish off a quarter mile in 12.5 seconds at about 114 miles per hour. And note too that its $80,000 price tag includes all the options in the Jaguar catalog.

Our just-tested Premium came with two options, the Portfolio Package that includes heated and cooled front seats, special stitching in the seats, electric rear window sun blind, and 20 inch wheels for $4,000; and the must-have (for us who love great sound) the Bowers and Wilkins sound system for $1,875. That brought the bottom line to $62,875.

Unlike the premium luxury competition Jaguar doesn’t have the breath of a large line-up, but it has the inside line on beauty, a great racing heritage and an elegance that is unequaled.

If you are looking for a mid-sized premium luxury sedan that definitely makes a design statement and is fun to drive in whatever edition, then the XF could likely be your cup of tea. We like it with or without scones.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman
MyCarData

Jaguar XF Supercharged – exclusive British sports sedan for the average consumer

The XF Supercharged is a top cat is a sea of felines. It reminds me of one of those movie cats that slink along silently and stealthfully and then, suddenly, it pounces and its power is released. That’s how this mid-sized, luxury, sports sedan behaves. The XF was introduced last year, and in true British tradition, there is not much outward change. Also, there is not much outward indication of the power. The standard XF is really good. This Supercharged model has four tailpipes instead of two. It has larger wheels. And yes, it has a small “supercharged” badge on the trunk.

Recently, I had a very busy week. First, the new Ford Explorer was unveiled and that was special. A couple of days later, I was in San Francisco and northern California for the new 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. And during it all, Judy and I were driving a new 2010 Jaguar XF Supercharged for our weekly test drive.

The engines are everything when you talk about sports sedans and that is what sets the XF Supercharged apart in this class. I suppose it might be like knowing you have a Concealed Permit to carry and a small loaded Gloch in your pocket or purse. It is a feeling of knowing you can do something if you want to do it. You feel special. Like a silky black cat slowing moving forward, then swiftly striking, they’ll never see you coming when the engine roars to life. The XF Supercharged is powered by a 5.0 liter V8 that roars to life at 470 horsepower. This direct-injected engine has to be one of the best engines available on the market. The torque is terrific. The zero to 60 measurement is 4.9 seconds, although I never achieved that figure.

When you slide into the driver’s seat, the leather and wood are present, but subtle. Even the roof liner is suede, but I had to run my hands over it twice to make sure. Push the small start button on the center console between the seats and everything comes to life. The air conditioner vents – all four of them – rotate open. An aluminum gear selected rises upwards out of the flat panel and wondrously is positioned where you hand has been hovering in reflex manner. The indicator lights are visible and the sound of the engine pleases the ears. The first time I tried it out, I had to turn it off, watch everything disappear, and then try it all over again. It was fun to show-off this feature to others during the week.

The seats are full leather, of course, and multi-adjustable. I wish the seats had had additional side bolstering. On occasion, I wanted to feel hugged into a snug-fitting seat on fast turns. The color scene was pleasant in appearance, artfully mixed in with the leather, chrome, and wood. The listed colors were “Ivory” and “Truffle”. The truffle color was as close to a chocolate Hershey bar as could be obtained without a grandchild smearing a melted bar all over the car’s interior.

There are paddle shifters mounted to the steering wheel and with a simple click, you find yourself in manual mode. Even the data readout changes from the P-R-D designations to a 1-2-3-4-5. If you do not continue to use the paddle shifters and a few seconds elapse, the transmission reverts back to regular automatic. The transmission is quiet and smooth. An additional letter on the gear selection knob shows an S, which indicates Sport mode. This holds a gear much longer before shifting, and also the S mode allows the paddle shifters to convert to full manual mode. The gear will hold until the paddles are shifted either up or down.

Almost all the radio controls, climate controls, Bluetooth phone functions, and navigation controls are worked through the one touch screen in the center of the dashboard. It is fairly logical in arrangement, although some of the buttons were fairly small and some switching between screens took a little bit more time than I thought necessary.

The overall appearance is definitely sporty. My test model was called “Spectrum Blue”, which was not a subdued color like a silver or black. The rear seating area was fairly large, but taller passengers might have a problem. The cargo area in the trunk is quite large for such a small car.

The Jaguar XF Supercharged has a MSRP of $67,150. There were no optional add-on’s. With an $850 destination charge, my test drive model had a bottom sticker price of $68,000. The EPA mileage figures are 15 city and 21 on the highway.

The 2010 Jaguar XF has everything you anticipate in a luxury sports sedan. The styling is beautiful, the technology is up-to-date and advanced, the features are convenient and useful, and the interior is stylish. It is everything you expect it to be for driving – responsive, smooth, and quiet. Check it out yourself at a Jaguar dealership.

By Alan Gell - MyCarData

Jaguar XF - steps out

Every decade or so, Jaguar launches a truly advanced car that shocks the brand faithful. I’ve heard and said plenty about the current XF and XJ sedans. They are nothing like previous Jaguars, yet are completely like previous Jaguars. People were amazed when the XJ-120 first rolled out in 1949. The E-Type shocked everybody when it stormed the roads in 1961. XJ-S coupes were just as controversial when they replaced the E-Type in 1975. The 1986 XJ, which was developed with a pile of British taxpayers’ money, was derided, but lasted 18 years! All of these cars made people uneasy and just a little bit queasy. Each went on to distinguished service.

More recent Jags had their issues too. The S-Type looked like a ‘60s S-Type, but was based on the DEW98 vehicle architecture that also supported the Lincoln LS and Ford Thunderbird. The X-Type, while it looked like a twice-dried XJ, was a re-bodied European Ford Mondeo and was given standard all-wheel-drive so it wouldn’t enter the world with the donor’s standard front-drive lay-out. The ‘04 XJ was a technically-advanced aluminum bodied flagship that put Mercedes in its place, but looked like every Jaguar sedan since the ‘60s and nobody noticed. This had to change if the British automaker was to survive. The XF, replacement for the S-Type, was the first Jaguar to plot a new stylistic course since the ‘70s.

I couldn’t help but see a resemblance to the Lexus GS when I first saw the XF. My initial reaction was, “At least the S-Type looked like a Jaguar and was recognizable from two corn fields away!” It drew nobody out of their Mercedes E-Class or BMW 5-Series, but it was undeniably a Jaguar with its quad eyeballs, chrome grille, hood leaper, and stately flanks.

Original thought always causes one to re-consider all they thought was right with the world. The sky becomes green, grass is orange, and Jaguars look like Lexus. Designers embraced a contemporary British aesthetic with a streamlined body that starts with a large mesh grille, long hood, and cabin that flows into the rear deck. Subtle chrome details and side vents are classic touches. Inside, wood and leather tell you it is British, but a dial gear selector, touch-sensor glovebox latch, navigation, and USB audio input trowel new lanes.

Snatch the leather-wrapped steering wheel and haul heal over the throttle to wake up the standard 385-HP 5.0-litre V8 that moves the cool cat from 0-60 mph in 5.5s. An available 510-HP supercharged V8 propels this luxury loafer along much faster, reaching 60 mph from naught in 4.7s. A smooth-shifting 6-speed transmission puts all of that power to the drive wheels expeditiously.

More than adequate power makes a roaring meow, but driving the XF is also fun-laced beverage. A solid body structure lets the firm, yet compliant, suspension system glide over rough roads with little drama while feeling nimble under your bum in the twisties. Steering motions are equally gratifying, balancing direct communication with relaxed cruising. You get the sense that the body structure isn’t quite as bullet resistant solid as a ‘Benz, but is well-engineered by any other standard.

To really make your feline purr, stroke up the XFR. Besides the supercharged V8, XFR receives 20” alloy wheels, refined mesh grille, enhanced ground affects, and “R” badging. Interiors are enhanced with dark wood and upscale leather. Under the skin, XFR receives Jaguar’s Adaptive Dynamics, a suspension system that automatically adjusts between soft and firm depending on driving behavior and road conditions. Unlike other systems that have only a few settings, Adaptive Dynamics progressively varies damping through the range of possibilities. It can go from all-out sport sedan to luxury cruiser with no thought from the pilot.

Jaguar used to be about shocking competitors and customers with rapidly-advancing technology and design. Under founder Sir William Lyons, Jaguar threw out the baby, poured new bath water, and scrubbed away all sense of history every several years. A lot of Ford money went to develop these great cars, but the brand is now owned by India’s Tata who seems determined to guarantee Jaguar once-again steps out with design and technology worth getting excited about. Prices for the XF start around $53,000.

2010 Jaguar XF
Five-passenger, RWD Sedan.
Powertrain: 385-HP 5.0-litre V8,
6-speed auto trans.
Suspension f/r: Ind./Ind.
Wheels: 19”/19” alloy f/r.
Brakes: Disc/Disc fr/rr with ABS.
Must-have feature: Style, tech
Fuel economy (city/hwy.): 16/23-MPG
Base price: $53,000.

By Casey Williams - MyCarData

Jaguar XKR convertible – open air motoring at its best

We would have welcomed the head-turning 2011 Jaguar XKR convertible any time of the year whether the coldest day of winter or the hottest, most oppressive day of summer. It’s a car to savor and enjoy any time not just for its nearly impeccable driving attributes and silky smooth power, but for the attention it attracts. And it’s a car you can enjoy top up or top down, peacefully cruising neighborhood streets or carving up some of the most winding roads in America.

We had the best of both worlds. The wonderful 510-horsepower gem showed up just before a glorious holiday weekend with temperatures in the upper 70s and lower 80s and without that nasty humidity that can make an otherwise nice summer day unbearable. The top, with the touch of a button was powered back in about 18 seconds and we were in our glory.
It isn’t just hyperbole when praise is heaped on the XKR, it really is fast, sporty, and beautiful based on a heritage of racing sports cars and elegance. All Jaguar advertising dollars should go into experiential test drives. Most would find it hard to walk away and leave the XKR behind.

The XK sports coupe and convertible, restyled and modernized for the 2010 model this year joins the all-new-for-2011 XJ flagship and the mid-sized XF sedan in a reinvigorated Jaguar lineup that points to big things in the near future for the renowned English luxury brand.

The outstanding new Jaguar lineup comes as the result of former owner Ford’s meticulous engineering, a group of first-class designers led by Ian Callum, and a detail to quality and dependability not traditionally a part of Jaguar. It remains to be seen if new Jaguar caretaker, Tata of India can move the process forward from this new solid foundation.

But for now, Jaguar in our estimation is as good as it gets in a European luxury lineup.
The XK is the sports car of the trio coming in base and high performance models. The standard engine is a 5.0-liter V-8 producing 385 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The XKR features a supercharged version of the same engine making a neck-snapping 510 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. Here the six-speed auto can also be shifted manually through steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

We found our supercharged XKR to be a beast from stoplight to stoplight with enough forward momentum to be unafraid of anything on the road including standard-issue Corvettes, Shelby Cobra Mustangs and Porsche 911s. The Jag will quietly — even in convertible format — smoothly and effectively propel you to illegal speeds in a matter of seconds. Take it to your favorite winding blacktop and it will astound with its athletic nature.

On the flip side, take advantage of a cool, quiet evening after dinner and cruise languidly. If you are attuned to the world around you, you will find the gorgeous droptop will attract considerable head-turning attention. And as a bonus you will smell the newly mowed lawns and idle along watching the sun turn to red as it sets in the west.

The interior is modern and features the new gee-whiz stuff found in the XF and in the new XJ. The most outstanding features are the console-mounted stop/start button that begins pulsing red when the car is unlocked, and a round rotary shifter that rises into the driver’s hand; it is simply too cool

The multipurpose touch-screen is also cutting edge as features slide away and new ones slide into place at the touch of a finger. But some of the features are hard to attain and can be finicky needing several presses to access. On the positive side, the radio volume control and the climate controls can be accessed without going to the touch-screen which also houses the standard navigation system.

Also very useful are the myriad of seat controls mounted on the door just ahead of the passenger. It is a considerable improvement over the seat-mounted controls. With the Jaguar controls you can see exactly what you are doing and without having to reach between the seat and door, an aggravating chore in many high-end vehicles. The front seating positions are excellent, and the driver is helped with a power tilt-and-telescoping wheel. The front seats feature heating and cooling.

Be advised that the rear seats are not suitable for adults. We did stuff grandma back there for a short ride, but after 10 miles and five minutes she was greatly relieved to unfold herself and climb out, with help. The seats make a good storage place to augment the small trunk.

The new Jag has some neat driving aids with Jaguar Drive Control. It offers the driver a choice of three different modes to alter the car’s dynamics such as throttle response, shift speed and suspension settings. The adjustable suspension has been designed to maximize ride comfort and handling attributes depending on driving goals.
The price of entry is not for the thin of pocketbook. No options are necessary on the XKR convertible, but the standard price reaches six figures at $102,000 including destination charge. The XKR coupe runs $96,000. If you opt for the standard engine, prices start at $83,000 (coupe) and $89,000 (convertible). There are some options that may tempt including two specialty wheel styles at five grand (take your pick) and adaptive cruise control at $2,200.

Whichever way you go, you will have a luxury sports car that will rival anything in its price range for performance, style and quality.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman - MyCarData

Jaguar XKR Convertible

Recently, North Texas had a week that was unseasonably warm, especially enjoyable after all that ice and snow. You can imagine my surprise when my test vehicle turned out to be a convertible. Had it been delivered during the freezing temperature, I would have left it parked for much of the time. However, with mid-70 and 80-degree temperatures beckoning me, it was impossible to resist having that top down every time I was behind the wheel. To top it off, this was a new Jaguar XKR – the top-of-the-line turbo-charged model.

This is the fifth year for Jaguar to provide the XK model, with very minor changes. Why should they spoil a great car by changing it? It has been tweaked a little bit each year, but the XK and the supercharged XKR remains a gorgeous and high-performance entry into the luxury sports car line-up.

The Jaguar XKR has beautiful styling and a head-turning appearance, but the power under the hood is the real story. The supercharged R model boasts a 510 horsepower, V8 engine. Power is instantly available, whether you are standing still or mildly cruising down the highway. The power is transferred from the engine to the rear wheels by a smooth six-speed automatic transmission. Paddle shifters are unobtrusively placed behind the steering wheel and are so instantly responsive, they beg to be used.

The 510 hp V8 engine is a monster. For a sports car, it rivals the best models available with a 4.5 second time from 0 to 60. No, I did not try it specifically, but it is difficult to restrain yourself when the light turns green and no one is in front of you. The punch factor is also present when driving down the road at highway speeds. Even a light push on the pedal and the car is suddenly passing everyone else, causing me to look more closely for local gendarmes.

This was a convertible and is an absolute joy to drive as a convertible, whether in slow traffic in town or out on the open road at hair-blowing-off speeds. The simple one touch button takes the fully closed vehicle to fully open in less than 30 seconds, which is plenty of time to accomplish at most traffic signals. The front windows roll down, the back windows roll down, the trunk opens to the front, the top begins to fold up and back, the top lowers into the storage compartment, the trunk lid lowers nicely and seals against the back of the seating area, and you twist the steering knob to “D” and take off.

Having the top down reduces the trunk space by a few cubic feet, but there was not much there to begin with. Remember, this is a sports car and not the family sedan. Most of the time, I was able to place all my carry items in the trunk area so they wouldn’t blow away with the top down. However, a few times, I had to use the rear seat area for a box or case because it would not fit in the trunk. But that was a very minor trade-off for driving a sports car convertible.

The Jaguar XKR, like other “R” models, adds high-performance brakes with the high-performance engine. This not only improves stopping power when needed, but also adds more a more aggressive suspension setup, and that provides a firmer ride and less body roll. It also lowers the ride heights. The XKR is certainly low to the ground, as sports cars are, and climbing in and out is not as easy for me as it was when I was a few years younger. But if you asked me if I objected to that, the instant answer would be “No.”
There is a laundry list of standard equipment including a multi-adjustable driver’s seat, power tilt & telescoping steering wheel, 19-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, nice leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, and a touch screen control interface. The burled walnut wood trim was beautiful, the powered seat switches were great, and the soft suedecloth wrapped around the windshield pillars and across the top of the windshield was a great touch.

There were very few things that I could find to complain about while driving such an enjoyable and beautiful car like the Jaguar XKJ, but two items stand out. First, the rear seating is for small children only. It is there for emergency trips or for additional storage of cargo. Second, the navigation and electronic interface screen was difficult to use. It was necessary to go through a displayed menu to locate the sub-menu, such as Audio, Climate, or Nav, and then further navigate to the heated seats or fan controls. Attempting to locate and tune to a specific radio station took much too long. Possibly with time, this would be more intuitive for the driver, but it is not a simple push of a button or turn of a knob.

The “R” model is different from the regular XK model by the addition of air intakes on the hood, quad exhaust pipes, and more creases on the hood. The EPA mileage ratings for the Jaguar XKR are 15-mpg city and 22-mpg highway. The MSRP includes destination charges and five-year warranty coverage, scheduled maintenance, and 24/7 roadside assistance. Bottom sticker price on my test model was $103,000.

Measured from any way you want to add up the figures, the Jaguar XKR is terrific. It comes with a car company history, it has performance capability, and the beautiful design always stands out in a crowd. The supercharged V8 is there when you need it or want it, but it is capable for everyday driving as well. Check out the XK, the XKR, or the XKR convertible yourself. See if you agree with my thinking – this is a car for the ages.

By Alan Gell - MyCarData

Jaguar XKR-S Sports Coupe

According to Jaguar, the new XKR-S is the most powerful and fastest mass production sports car the company has ever built. The hardest-looking version of the XK series gets an uprated supercharged V8 direct-injection engine churning out 550-ponies and 680Nm of torque, good enough to propel the sports coupe from 0 to 60 (96km/h) in 4.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 186mph (300km/h). Following last week’s reveal at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, the Indian-owned British carmaker released the first footage of the sports coupe being put through its paces on the road as well as on the track. Unfortunately, Jaguar also covered the supercharged V8 engine’s howls with some annoying music beats… Watch the video for yourself right after the break.
Wallpapers Jaguar XKR-S Sports Coupe Wallpapers Jaguar XKR-S Sports Coupe Wallpapers Jaguar XKR-S Sports Coupe Wallpapers Jaguar XKR-S Sports Coupe Wallpapers Jaguar XKR-S Sports Coupe Wallpapers Jaguar XKR-S Sports Coupe Wallpapers Jaguar XKR-S Sports Coupe Wallpapers Jaguar XKR-S Sports Coupe Interiour

Jaguar B99 Sports Sedan Concept

One of the highlights of this year's Geneva Motor Show was the B99 design study for an entry-level Jaguar sedan by Bertone. The concept car was created independently by the Italian design house, without the involvement of Jaguar. Therefore, the B99 does not preview the design of the future X-Type, as confirmed by a top Jaguar executive.
“It is not our concept. We appreciate the fact that Jaguar is interesting enough for people to do a concept around. It's not that we are offended by it, or against it - it is just not for us," Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar's global brand director, told Automotive News at the Geneva Motor Show.
However, according to Hallmark, a future entry-level Jaguar is in the cards for a 2013 or 2014 launch but the design of the small sedan has not been yet finalized. The B99 is simply a display of Bertone's capability.
Jaguar's current design language, as seen on the XF and more recently on the bolder XJ, is modern and has little to do with the past, whereas the B99 Concept is retro from most angles.


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