Jaguar XJ6 News

But a new 3.5-litre V8 has been added to the fleet in an attempt to bolster sales.Jaguar Australia marketing communications manager Tim Krieger confirmed the 3-litre V6 was “uncompetitive in the segment”.“The key player in this segment is the 7 Series (BMW) and to be taken seriously you clearly need a V8 in the petrol derivatives,” he said.“With the size of the vehicle it really needs a V8 and that's the thinking in putting in the 3.5-litre.”The new V8 engine produces 190kW power and 335 Nm of torque.The 2.7-litre twin-turbo diesel remains the only six-cylinder engine in the XJ range.“The diesel is going fine and is very competitive, but in the petrol segment for that size vehicle we need a V8,” Krieger said.The 3-litre XJ6 started at $149,900, so with it gone, the new entry level is the XJ6 diesel at $154,900.The XJ8 3.5-litre V8 comes in at $159,900, joining the short-wheelbase 4.2-litre XJ8 at $174,900 and the long-wheelbase XJ8 at $179,900, the XJR at $219,900 and the short- and long-wheelbase Super V8s ($229,900 and $234,900) completing the range.The 2008 model XJ also gets some exterior styling updates around the front, side power vents, rear spoiler and full-width chrome signature blade and new rear bumper. They now sit on 19-inch Polaris alloy wheels.The XJR and Super V8s get 20-inch alloys.XJR also now comes with aluminium-finish power vents and black painted brake calipers.Inside, there are new seats, increased rear leg and foot room thanks to redesigned front seat backs and the latest Bluetooth connectivity which allows up to five approved phones to be paired to the in-car telephone system.Krieger said Jaguar sales were “on track” for this year's budget.But the October figures show Jaguar has sold 763 cars this year, which is down 153 or 18.5 per cent on last year, while the whole market is up 8.6 per cent.The biggest loser is the S-Type, which is down 22 per cent but is in run-out mode to make way for the new XK, arriving in May.Krieger said they would be out of S-Type stock by early next year and that they already had about 80 orders for the XF.“That's doing a little bit better than where we thought we'd be at this stage,” he said.Four different XF models will be available: 2.7-litre V6 turbodiesel, 3-litre petrol V6, 4.2-litre petrol V8 and 4.2-litre supercharged petrol V8 (SV8).Meanwhile, Ford Motor Company is believed to have attracted six offers to buy Jaguar and Land Rover which they are keen to sell in an effort to bolster a faltering bottom line.Leading bidder is said to be India's largest car manufacturer, Tata Motors.

As Australia's new car juggernaut rolls on towards the magic million sales mark, the number of available models continues to swell. Already recognised as one of the most diverse and competitive car markets in the world, Australian importers continue to add to the mix.With half the year nearly gone, buyers have taken almost 500,000 new vehicles into their garages with some of the traditional biggest selling months still to come.At least three new marques will arrive in Australian showrooms in the second half of  the year; Hummer, Mahindra and Skoda,  testament to the vibrancy of what is, in world terms, a minor market.However, it is the expanding model range within existing brands that will drive the Aussie market over the million mark for the first time.Over the next six months more than 50 new or revised models will arrive in Australian new car showrooms. Here's a look at what's coming soon:ASTON MARTINDip your lid in style in September with the V8 Roadster, a gorgeous extension of the Vantage. AUDI Audi starts its end-of-year program in September with the R8, the biggest, baddest Audi in the garage The Supercar looks with enough performance to keep most on their toes. Also on the cards for October is the A5, Audi's first coupe since the TT. An all-new platform which comes as a front-wheel-drive and quattro. In November the V8 4.2 TDi may answer some questions for the Q7, including on fuel economy. BMW You'll have to wait until October for the new M3, but the latest offering from the M garage has something special. It's the first V8 for an M3. CHRYSLER A Sebring convertible, topless cousin of the sedan launched in early 2007, arrives in December. DODGE The Nitro SUV joins the Caliber for Dodge next month and the US marque backs that up with its Avenger sedan in August. FIAT The baby Ritmo, sold as the Bravo in Europe, will be Fiat's second passenger offering in Australia when it lands in October. Expect petrol and diesel. FORD The rush to oil-burners continues with the Focus getting the honour of being Ford's first passenger diesel next month before the Focus CC, the drop-top concept that set hearts aflutter at Frankfurt two years ago lands in October. The other big news for Ford is the return in November of the Mondeo for a third tilt at Australia. HOLDEN The key second-half model from the General is the VE Ute, bringing all the developments in the VE sedan to the working man's Holden. HONDA The Civic Type-R is razor-sharp styling built around a high-revving fun package. Next month. HUMMER The iconic offroader from the land of the large truck opens its Aussie account in October, a couple of months later than anticipated as a result of production delays for the H3. Surprisingly agile with real offroad ability. HYUNDAI An important second-half for the Korean marque. It starts with the popular Santa Fe SUV finally getting the 3.3-litre V6 from the Sonata to give it some extra punch. In October, the new Elantra hatch joins the sedan in the Aussie line-up after a wait of almost 12 months. JAGUAR An October styling refresh for the marque's luxury sedan, the XJ, is all from the Big Cat this year before a big 2008. JEEP The second of Jeep's non-Rubicon Trail-rated soft-roaders arrives in August to join the Compass for duty around town. KIA The Carens compact people mover has never really taken off here. The new generation is a little bigger and more stylish. It will be powered by a four-cylinder petrol or diesel engine with five- or seven-seat capacity. On sale in October. LAND ROVERThe baby Freelander gets a complete makeover for this generational change. New engines and a new family look all go on show in July. MAHINDRAIndia's workhorse ute, the Pik-Up, starts to roll out to Australia in July. MAZDA A new generation and a new look for the little Mazda2. Sharper styling is the key to this one's October debut. At the same time Mazda will add a diesel option to its top-selling Mazda3 range. MERCEDES-BENZThe key model for Mercedes this year is the meat-and-potatoes C-Class. Bigger, brighter and ready to meet the masses it is available from July. Also on Mercedes' new-model list is an upgraded ML500 and R-Class in September, both getting the 285kW V8 engine. October is a big month for the three-pointed star with the crackingCL65 AMG (a bi-turbo V12 with 450kW and 1000Nm) and the more sociable S320 CDi, which marries diesel with uber-luxury. MITSUBISHI You have to love a fighter. Australia's “other” family car, the 380, wins a minor refresh with some interior updates from next month. In August the automatic turbo diesel, traditionally the model's top seller, completes the Triton range while in October the point guard for the red-hot Evo X (due late in the year), the new Lancer, promises look-at-me-styling and more punch than the current model. NISSANThe baby Micra finally gets the green light for Australia with an October date with sales. In November the X-Trail, a core model for Nissan and the compact SUV that set the benchmark for those who actually can go off-road, gets a full generational change. The Dualis arrives in December. A softer option to the X-Trail, it sits on a similar platform but is more plush. PEUGEOT It's all about size for the French manufacturer. In July the 207CC, the previous generation of which set the standard for accessorising small cars, is back and promising to reclaim the crown. Its far more focused and athletic sibling, the GTi arrives in August with its turbocharged 1.6-litre engine. The station wagon derivative of the base 207 goes on sale in October. PORSCHEThe 911 turbo cabriolet proves Porsche's belief that if you can go fast in a sedan you should be able to go just as fast in a cabriolet. In September you can prove it for yourself. RENAULT August sees the Megane diesel join the Renault fleet, while the Clio Sport returns in November in an all-new guise. SAAB The new 9-3 will highlight Saab's first all-wheel-drive system in a completely renewed model range. All models arrive in November. SKODA Launches into Australia with a two-pronged attack in October. The Octavia medium-sized hatch and the quaintly named Roomster compact MPV will carry the flag initially. SMARTIn September the next next-generation smart ForTwo arrives, a little bigger and a little smarter. SUBARU The new Impreza is one of the most polarising styling departures of the year. In basic and WRX fettle the hatch arrives in September. A cult car heads mainstream and the jury is out. SUZUKIIf it ain't broke ... A freshen-up for the car that put punch back in Suzuki's local range, the brilliant Swift is in showrooms in October with the sedan version of the SX4 “tall hatch” joining the stable in September. TOYOTA The first product from Toyota's new “hot shop”, the Aurion TRD, arrives in August with a 3.5-litre supercharged V6 with sports manners and a load of plastic kit. Also in August is the generational change for Kluger with the SUV getting a substantial facelift and the 3.5-litre V6 from the Aurion. November brings the Landcruiser 200 Series and a TRD version of the HiLux. VOLVO The highlight for the Swedes in the second half of the year is the all-new generation of the XC70 due in November. About the same time the C30 will get the in-line five-cylinder diesel. VW A hot version of the Passat, the R36, is heading Down Under in November. 

The car boasts the same generous list of standard features as its naturally aspirated XJ8 stablemates.That means it comes with satellite navigation, television, car phone, premium sound, park distance control, two rear-seat DVD screens, 18in alloy wheels and rain-sensing wipers, plus the usual lavish leather and burr walnut fit-out.And, naturally, it loses none of the stability and traction control equipment and other safety items introduced in the latest-generation XJ.Yet the XJ6 comes to market at $149,990 – $20,000 cheaper than the 3.5-litre V8 and a wholesome $40,000 less than the 4.2-litre.Jaguar needed the price-leading three-litre V6 to match competition from Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi and Lexus.In any event, it is the brand's tried and tested strategy to introduce the powerbrokers of each model first then come in later with smaller engine options.The brand's new V6 delivers 179kW of power via a six-speed ZF automatic in a smooth, sophisticated and swift manner which is very sporty and very Jaguar.The AJ-V6 uses variable valve timing to get optimal output at both ends of the rev bands.The six matches the power output of the former 3.2-litre XJ8, with peak torque only 16Nm inferior to the larger engine. So the XJ6 by no means is a stripped-down, gutless version.And, remember, the XJ features a monocoque body made mainly from aluminium panels joined by rivets and adhesives.That knocks 200kg, or 40 per cent, off the all-up weight of the shell, with torsional rigidity 60 per cent stiffer than before.Therefore, the power-to-weight ratio is highly favourable, leading to major performance gains.While Jaguar has always traded in shameless luxury, the great British marque – now owned by Ford Motor Company – also places great emphasis on sports motoring befitting the prancing cat emblem.The lightweight body architecture and new powertrain are joined by many features finely tuned and rated to meet buyers' expectations.The V6 engine is a powerful but smooth unit that revs out freely and makes good use of the flexibility of the six-speed auto. The XJ6 accelerates from zero to 100km/h in a handy 8.1 seconds on its way to a claimed top speed of 233km/h.The gearbox goes about its business in stepless fashion and the engine always gives the feeling there is something in reserve.Critics of cars with performance engines should realise that the less time one spends in the path of oncoming traffic during overtaking manoeuvres, the safer the car is – albeit in prudent hands.In these days of strict policing of speed limits, the real-life difference between a V8 and a well-sorted V6 is minimal. And with petrol prices nudging $1 a litre, the 10.5 litres/100km achieved by the XJ6 – in laboratory conditions – makes a better environmental statement. The chassis setup works well for excellent road holding and the level of ride comfort one expects from a Jaguar.Unlike Jaguars of old – this writer owned a 3.4 Mark II and a 4.2 E-Type which would both swap ends under brakes – the XJ6 is really sure and predictable. Dynamic stability control and traction control ensure that the car retains its line in wet or slippery conditions.And, again contrary to Cats of the past, the XJ6's anti-lock brakes work first time and every time, with good pedal feel. Jaguar aficionados were surprised to find how little the latest XJ had changed from the former model. That was until the old was parked alongside the new.Chief designer Ian Callum points out that Jaguar owners want evolution not dramatic change. Once the longer rear doors, additional shoulder and leg room, and boot space for four full-size golf bags, plus refinements at the front are pointed out, changes are obvious and marked.The list of features is remarkable. The XJ6 gets Ford's electrically adjustable pedals to tailor seating position. Four-zone airconditioning is an option, along with adaptive cruise control which automatically maintains the distance from the car in front. The sports seats can be optioned up for 12-way adjustment. The list goes on.At a glanceJAGUAR'S XJ6 is back and the brand may just have kept the best until last.While the XJ8 – particularly the R and supercharged models – are high-output motors of outstanding qualities, the Six is an awful lot of car for your dollars.The lightweight body and the beefed-up three-litre motor perform right up to expectations. And the ZF six-speed automatic is one of the highlights of this remarkably good sports sedan – although this writer will resist maligning Jaguar's J-gate shift level.In sum, a truly great car at a competitive price.