Jaguar News

Jaguar has released a pair of teaser images for its upcoming 2016 XF sedan, ahead of the model’s dramatic debut in London on March 24. The British premium brand has announced that the new XF will perform a high-wire water crossing in London, before debuting at the New York motor show in April. The sole top-down exterior image and recent spy pics suggest the design of the new model will be an evolution of the current generation sedan, along with drawing inspiration from the smaller XE sedan.It will likely feature a sleek profile with muscular wheel arches and sports car-like rear-set cabin with a short boot lid. The interior image is more revealing, showing off the car’s center console, dashboard and door design.The interior styling is derivative of the new XE sedan, though the XF seems physically wider with more premium materials like leather and aluminium throughout the cabin – appropriate given its higher asking price.Like other Jaguar Land Rover models, the new XF features a rotary gear selector.The new XF will perform a high-wire water crossing in London, before debuting at the New York motor show in April.The second-generation XF is also expected to use Jaguar Land Rover’s new multimedia system first fitted to the XE, which includes In Control apps.Jaguar has also revealed some mechanical details of the new XF. It rides on a new aluminium architecture and the brand claims it will set new benchmarks for fuel efficiency and weight in its segment where it competes with cars like the Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5 Series.Jaguar says that certain XF models will use less than 4.0L/100km on the European cycle.Engine details will be revealed at the New York auto show, but it is expected the new model will use Jaguar’s new range of ‘Ingenium’ four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.The 3.0-litre supercharged petrol V6 is also expected to feature, while the big 5.0-litre supercharged V8 will likely power an upcoming XFR performance model. 

Not that long ago, police cars used to come in two flavours: Falcon and Commodore. These days you'll find vehicles as diverse as Mitsubishi Lancers and Hyundai i45s patrolling the streets, not to mention a growing number of premium and exotic models masquerading as police vehicles.The latest marque to join this list is Jaguar, with officers from Rose Bay LAC in eastern Sydney taking delivery of a new XF luxury saloon.The $125,000 Jag has been loaned to the police by Sydney dealership Trivett Jaguar, and replaces the Polestar blue Volvo S60 used by the station since 2013.Trivett General Manager Garry Kelly says the relationship with the  eastern suburbs police support area brings benefits to both parties."We saw some vehicles out there doing the same thing and thought it would be a good opportunity to support the community and also be able to get the product out into the market place," he said.The 202kW/600Nm 3.0-litre twin-turbodiesel XF can do 0-100km/h in 7.1 seconds, but is unlikely to ever do that in anger while in the custody of the thin blue line.Superintendent Brad Hodder from Rose Bay LAC says  the "community car"  won't see operational action."We use this for crime prevention and community engagement events where we can interact with the community," he said.The stand-out car acts as a point of interest for the community."It's an attraction to the vehicle. They then start to engage with the police, and then we can talk to people about crime prevention and how we make them safe in the community," Hodder said.Although it is decked out in police colours, the Rose Bay XF will otherwise remain standard, missing out on the lights and sirens usually seen on patrol cars.There are police actually driving it so we do still have the power to pull people overThat said, if you do happen drive past at a speed somewhat higher than the posted limit, you may find yourself getting inadvertently acquainted with it."There are police actually driving it so we do still have the power to pull people over," Superintended Hodder said.This isn't the first of its type to be handed over to the police. NSW Police already has an imported F150 Raptor truck, plus a Dick Johnson-tuned Ford Falcon GT-F and an HSV GTS in the garage.Ford's new Mustang, which arrives later this year, might also find itself pursuing a career in law enforcement.So is there a competition within NSW Police to get the most tricked-out car?"Officially, I'd have to say no," said Superintendent Hodder. "But yes, there is.""A few of the commands have their relevant vehicles, but I'm happy with the Jaguar. It fits right in with our local area command, and as a community engagement tool it's very positive."

Albert Park hosts motoring's finest this weekend - and there will be an F1 race, too.

Just as Porsche used the original Cayenne to save the company, and continue the success of its classic 911 sports car, the British brand is confident of future growth with the car originally previewed as the C-X17 concept.The newcomer is called the F-Pace and will be ready for showrooms in 2016. The inevitable arrival of a high-performance version is likely to see the creation of an F-Pace R.The F-Pace is the latest stretch for the Jaguar Land Rover group and comes in the final countdown to the make-or-break XE compact car, but chief designer Ian Callum does not see any conflict with the four-wheel drive Range Rovers at the other half of the company.It's a crossover with an on-road focus"Our car will be very different," Callum reveals to CarsGuide at the Detroit motor show. "It won't be an off-road four-wheel drive. It's a crossover with an on-road focus. That's the major difference."It also helps that the SUV is based on the F-Type sports car, which helps explain its name.Jaguar sprang a carefully-set ambush on the day before Detroit, revealing the name and details of the production C-X17 before another of the rival brands could unveil their concept cars.It also trumped Bentley, which confirmed at the show it's heavyweight SUV would go into production as the Bentayga. It combines the names of the Roque Bentayga, a rugged peak in the Canary Islands, and the Taiga snow forest.At Jaguar, the F-Pace name is also a nod to the original Jaguar boss, Sir William Lions, who said his cars had "Grace, pace and space".It has to be sexyThat could point to an F-Space and an F-Grace, although that's extremely unlikely."I don't think so," says Callum.He reveals the conflict in designing an SUV after working so hard to reinvent a Jaguar style direction for the 21st century."It has to be sexy. It has been difficult because it goes against every muscle of your body in some ways," he says."Once I realised that a crossover makes good business sense and that, for a lot of young people, they don't know anything else other than crossovers, I said to our team ‘We've got to embrace this car'."We will push back on this obsession of getting the biggest volume inside, the biggest capacity and the largest tailgate opening. I wasn't going to buy into that."

Jaguar has today confirmed that its upcoming BMW X5-rivalling premium SUV will wear 'F-Pace’ badging when it hits showrooms next year. Previewed by the CX-17 SUV concept in 2013, the new model will be Jaguar’s first production high-rider but the British brand claims the model will be clearly linked to the F-Type sports car.Jaguar design boss Ian Callum said the F-Pace offers a unique combination of Jaguar sports car inspired exterior design, fused with a practical and spacious luxury interior.“The F-Pace is our family sports car,” he said.The key design link between the two F-badged models will be sleek rear light design and bold exterior surfacing to give a distinctively sporty look. The ‘F’ part of the SUV’s name could also be a reference to the car’s physical size being similar to the mid-size XF range.The F-Pace will employ a lightweight all-alloy body structure derived from the all-wheel drive architecture which underpins the current Range Rover Sport – though the Jaguar is expected to be slightly smaller and will only have seating for five rather than the seven offered in the Range Rover. Engine options are expected to include the 250kW supercharged 3.0-litre V6 from the new XE S sedan and F-Type models, and 3.0-litre 202kW V6 diesel with the big 404kW 5.0-litre supercharged V8 possibly destined for an F-Pace R high performance variant.  Jaguar’s first SUV will go on sale in 2016, and could be revealed in production form as early as this year’s Geneva motor show in March.

In a year when the overall car market shrank, all but a handful of prestige brands increased sales. Buyers don't just want a good car; they want others to see they have one, helping everyone from Maserati to Mercedes-Benz post gains.The trend is accelerating and a steady stream of new models in 2015 only adds to the impetus. CarsGuide looks at what's in store for the premium players this year.It isn't hard to foresee the popularity of the 4C two-seat coupe when it hits showrooms next month. This baby supercar uses a carbon-fibre tub, mid-engine layout and minimalist interior to present a modern incarnation of a stripped-down racer. Pricing will be $80,000-$100,000. The soft-top Spider is due in October. The Alfa Giulietta also gets an update.A steady new model rollout starts in February with the arrival of the TT coupe for just under $80,000. It will be joined by the soft-top roadster midyear and the TT S performance model in August or September. The plug-in petrol-electric A3 e-tron five-door hatch is due in May with an expected price of $60,000, with the Q7 large SUV due late in the year. Updates or variants include the A6/A7, RS6/RS7, A1, RS3 and Q3/RSQ3.New metal is in short supply at the British brand but two models will join the line-up, starting with the Vantage S Roadster at a shade under $420,000. If that isn't exclusive enough, consider the $500,000 Vanquish Carbon using the same V12 but with eight forward ratios in place of the Vantage's seven.BENTLEYChauffeurs will going cap-in-hand to buyers of the Mulsanne Speed for the chance to steer the best Bentley ever. A twin-turbo V8 cranks out 1100Nm - only the Bugatti Veyron can torque itself up as a more powerful production model - to push the 2.7-tonne limo into triple figures in 4.9 seconds. Pricing has yet to be set but if you have to ask, you can't afford it.There's a lot of product in the pipeline this year but only one all-new car. The X1 will switch to front-wheel drive when the second-generation model arrives in the third quarter. The X1 will look more mini-SUV than compact wagon, aligning it with the X3 and X5. Top-end versions will be all-wheel drive. Updates and new variants include the 2 Series convertible, X5M/X6M, 6 Series/X6, 3 Series, X4 M40i and X5 e-Drive.The 458 range has a Speciale A due next month. The 499 examples of the alloy hardtop model are already sold, meaning the $635,000 two-seater is likely to be a smart investment. Keep an eye on the classifieds.The struggle to be a serious prestige player continues for Infiniti with a major model overhaul due in 2016. A refreshed Q70 flagship is due midyear with a nip-and-tuck for the bumpers, updated interior trim and more safety software.The transition from niche player to prestige powerhouse is predicated on the XE sedan being a genuine rival for the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and BMW C-Class. Specs indicate the engines are up to the job, so it comes down to how well it can be priced in Australia. There will be updates for the F-Type coupe and convertible and XF sedan.Styling that echoes the Evoque and a premium interior mark the Discovery Sport, debuting in May. Essentially a replacement for the Freelander, the Sport is a serious off-roader with 600mm wading depth and four-wheel drive. Also expect a Range Rover Sport SVR, Range Rover hybrid and updated Evoque.A compact performance sedan, the RC F will cost $133,500, making it a 'budget' alternative to the Germans. The naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 isn't quite on par with the Euro competition but neither is the price. The GS F mid-sized sedan will use the same engine and is due later in the year, price undisclosed. The NX200 will get a new turbo engine.No new news is still good news for Lotus aspirants. An automatic Exige - the brand's first self-shifter - is due in the second quarter. Expect to pay around $9000 for the clutch-less version, putting the price above $135,000. An updated Evora should land late with less weight and improved interior.An 'affordable' McLaren is due late in the year with an entry level Sport model priced at more than $300,000. That puts it in the higher echelons of Porsche 911 territory - but still well below typical McLaren prices.Australia's top-selling prestige brand rolls out a range of new toys this year to expand its appeal. The action starts with the AMG GT and C63 AMG in the second quarter, both using a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8. Skip ahead to Q3 and there's the new GLE (formerly known as the ML) and GLE coupe SUVs, followed by the CLA Shooting Brake and the much-needed GLC compact SUV. Other updates or variants include the S63 coupe, CLS, B-Class and S500 coupe.The action starts with an entry-level five-door Mini Cooper One at $25,600 in February. It is powered by a three-cylinder engine with 75kW/180Nm. At the opposite end of the spectrum is the John Cooper Works three-door hatch, which will be the Mini with the most mumbo ever when it arrives midyear at an estimated $48,000.There's plenty to whet the appetite for performance enthusiasts, even if it is all clad in existing bodywork. The base V6 and performance GTS Cayenne SUV models are due next month, followed by the Turbo S midyear. An update of the 911 should make it before Christmas and Santa may deliver the new GT4 Cayman at the same time.The XC90 large SUV is due midyear with prices starting from about $90,000. A more affordable alternative will be the V60 Cross Country due late in the year from $65,000. The elevated version of the V60 wagon will be sold in FWD and AWD guise.

But the start of 2015 is gearing up for more hot deals than usual because new car sales stalled last year for the first time since the Global Financial Crisis.It means dealers are overstocked and they're even more eager to make way for fresh metal.Adding to the pressure - and putting buyers in the driver's seat - is the uncertainty around Australia's currency, which has taken a hit in recent months. Buying a new car now could mean a double-saving; get the discount on end-of-year bargains and beat possible price rises.Record low interest rates and favourable exchange rates saw new car prices fall to 20-year lows in 2014 as affordability hit a 38-year high in 2014.But once the cars imported at last year's exchange rates are cleared, the chances are new models won't be discounted as heavily, or prices may even rise.Most cars sold in Australia are sourced from Japan (30 per cent), Thailand (20 per cent) and South Korea (12 per cent) - rather than the US (5 per cent) - but most car companies buy in US dollars as it has historically been more stable.The prices of Japanese branded cars are likely to remain steady because the Japanese Government artificially devalues the yen to boost exports. But the value of the Australian dollar against the currencies of Thailand, South Korea and the US is less stable.It means price rises are likely on almost every ute sold in Australia because most are made in Thailand, including the top-selling Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, Nissan Navara, Mitsubishi Triton and Holden Colorado, among others.South Korean brands Hyundai and Kia, two of the industry's biggest discounters, may also lose some of their bargaining power if the Australian dollar continues to head south.But one brand you may not be expecting to go backwards due to a shift in currency is Holden, which sources eight of its 12 models from South Korea and two from Thailand.With that in mind we have assembled the 10 cars we reckon are worth waiting for. Remember to always judge a car by its build date (the day it went down the production line and how its age will be measured when it comes time to sell), rather than the compliance plate (in effect, when the car cleared Australian customs).Be warned: there are still some 2013-built cars out there (Nissan, we're looking at you), so be sure to haggle hard and make sure the factory warranty starts the day you take delivery.Sometimes it's worth waiting for an all-new model, or at least knowing if you have more bargaining power if the dealer is trying to clear not only last year's model but one that is about to be superseded.The successor to Australia's cheapest car from a mainstream brand is just around the corner with a new look and a new name. The Suzuki Celerio is bigger than the Alto and the 1.0-litre three-cylinder has been tuned to run on regular unleaded (rather than premium like its predecessor), making it one of the cheapest cars to own and operate. Expect a super-sharp $13,990 drive-away starting price when it goes on sale in February.Australia is going to be crawling with pint-sized SUVs next year but the Mazda CX-3 is likely to take most of the spotlight. Available with a 1.5-litre turbo diesel or a 2.0-litre petrol engine it is expected to start between $20,000 and $25,000 when it goes on sale in March. It will join the Honda HR-V (February), Renault Captur (February), the next generation Suzuki Vitara (June), the unusually named Citroen Cactus (June), and the cutesy Fiat 500X (November).The city-sized soft-roader market is so huge globally even off-road brand Jeep has joined the fray. The Jeep Renegade may look like a scaled-down Tonka Truck but it is based on the same underbody as the Fiat Punto, Alfa Romeo Mito and the Fiat 500X. Powered by a 1.4-litre turbo petrol or 2.0-litre turbo diesel matched to a segment-leading nine-speed automatic transmission, the Renegade is due in showrooms in October priced between $20,000 and $30,000.The first new Nissan Navara in 10 years arrives in showrooms in April with two new 2.3-litre turbo diesel engines (one with a single turbo, the other with twin turbos). The outputs are almost the same as the previous 2.5-litre turbo diesel, despite being smaller in capacity (a 118kW/403Nm version and a 140kW/450Nm version). Payload and towing capacity are yet to be confirmed but bank on a one-tonne cargo rating and a 3500kg towing limit (bringing the Navara into line with class leaders). The 550Nm Navara with the Renault 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6 has been dropped. It will be a big year for utes, with a rebodied Mitsubishi Triton due in May, significant updates due for the Ford Ranger and Mazda BT50 in July, an all-new Toyota HiLux in October.Take a close look at the new Ford Mondeo due on sale in April. This is a pointer to the vehicle that will eventually replace the Falcon. Available in sedan and wagon body styles, likely with a choice of 2.0-litre turbo petrol or 2.0-litre turbo diesel engines, prices are expected to range from $30,000 to $50,000. It will also be loaded with technology including LED headlights, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and industry-leading rear seatbelt airbags. A hybrid version will join the Mondeo line-up later in the year.Jaguar is making a second attempt at the lucrative mid-size luxury sedan market dominated by the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C Class. After learning from the ill-conceived 2002 X-Type based on the Ford Mondeo, Jaguar has started with a cleansheet design and aluminium construction. It will be available with a 2.0-litre petrol engine, and a 2.0-litre turbo diesel said to sip 4.0L/100km, less than the Audi A4 (4.8L/100km) and BMW 320d (4.5L/100km) aided by an eight-speed auto. At the other end of the scale: a supercharged 3.0-litre V6 with a 0 to 100km/h time of 5.1 seconds. Due on sale in September, it's likely to start about $60,000.The first new Volvo XC90 in 12 years is also the first all-new model developed since Volvo was bought by China's Geely motor company in 2010. Promising to the world's safest SUV it will automatically slam on the brakes if you're about to turn in front of an oncoming car, and can also spot cyclists and pedestrians at night. It even has eyes in the back of its head: a radar system can detect if you're about to be hit from behind, and will prepare the seatbelts and headrests for the sudden impact. It will be available with a choice of four-cylinder petrol or diesel power, and a plug-in hybrid that can travel up to 40km on battery power alone (before switching to petrol power), the first seven-seater of its type in the world. Due in showrooms in July priced about $90,000.Mazda has gone back to basics – in every sense of the word – and wound back the clock with the new MX-5 sports-car. The first all-new MX-5 since the original was launched 25 years ago goes back to its lightweight, low cost roots (each wheel only has four locating nuts instead of five, for example) and promises a soft-top roof and a sub-1000kg mass for the first time since last century. Since 2006 the Mazda MX-5 has had a folding metal roof to help it weather storms and thwart thieves, but this has added weight, complexity and cost. The new model is expected to be available with a choice of two engines – a 1.5- and a 2.0-litre – when it goes on sale in September priced below $40,000.The Ford Mustang returns to Australia in October for the first time since 2003, but it will be the first time in the nameplate's 50-year history that it will be made in right-hand-drive on a Ford production line (Flat Rock, Michigan). All models before this one were converted to right-hand-drive locally. It will be available with a choice of 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo or 5.0-litre V8 power in coupe and convertible body styles. Prices will range from $50,000 to $70,000.Mercedes-Benz's answer to the Porsche 911 arrives in July priced about $270,000. Powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 that will also power the upcoming AMG C63 sedan, it can complete the 0 to 100km/h dash in just 3.8 seconds. Fun fact for the tech heads: it has a better weight distribution (47/53 front to rear) than either the Porsche 911 (39/61) or Cayman (46/54). Game on.

Invisible pillar tech set to boost safety by banishing blind spots.Augmented reality systems could soon remove the blind spots caused by intrusive roof pillars in future Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles.Similar to the off-road-orientated transparent bonnet technology showcased by Land Rover at this year’s New York motor show, the augmented reality tech has now found a more mainstream application in see-through pillars.The invisible pillar tech works by taking a live video feed from various angles around the car and displaying the image in real time on a screen which is built into each of the pillars.The system virtually gives the driver a 360 degree view around the car – providing they can peer around the headrests and irritating rear seat passengers. Maybe they can make them invisible too? These screens are also connected to an advanced head-up display device which can highlight obstacles, pedestrians or other motorists via an on-screen alert.The transparent pillars may also be activated via the car’s indicator signals, so when the driver applies their right turn signal to merge, overtake or enter a side street, the pillars on the right side of the car become transparent.Jaguar also says the 360-degree virtual windscreen technology has the potential to be linked with the Cloud to connect the car with road infrastructure and local businesses.For example, the windscreen could display the fuel prices of the nearest petrol station or the number of parking spaces available at a nearby car park. It could probably show your Twitter and Facebook notifications too, but that may be somewhat unsafe.Jaguar Land Rover is also using its virtual windscreen electronics to make satellite navigation systems more user-friendly by projecting a ‘ghost car’ onto the windscreen for the driver to follow to their destination.The aim is to make driving safer by reducing the potential for accidents, said Dr Wolfgang Epple, R&D boss at Jaguar Land Rover.“The Jaguar Land Rover research team is developing this technology to improve visibility and to give the driver with the right information at the right time,” he said.  “If we can keep the driver’s eyes on the road ahead and present information in a non-distracting way, we can help drivers make better decisions in the most demanding and congested driving environments.”

The new car market may not be performing but sports cars are.The latest VFACTS figures show Australians are racing to performance vehicles in record numbers and are happy to spend more than $100,000 to drive their dream car.The $80,000-$200,000 sports car segment is up more than 20 per cent so far this year and dedicated sports vehicles overall account for about one in 20 new cars sold.That doesn’t include go-fast versions of regular models, an area where the Germans continue to dominate.The move isn’t limited to prestige European brands: HSV is on track to eclipse 3000 sales in 2014. HSV marking boss Damon Paul says there’s still strong momentum forthe Gen-F range.Range Rover Sport sales have doubled this year to 2200, while Jaguar sales are up 15 per cent.Iconic sports car maker Porsche has had 44 per cent growth, with 2224 vehicles.The German trio — Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz — are all posting records.Audi’s S and RS models are the fastest movers and are likely to rival HSV in terms of overall sales this year.More than 2400 buyers have chosen Audi performance models, against about 800 sales at the same time last year. That number should surge over the next couple of months with the introduction of the S1 Sportback, which at $49,900 is the cheapest quattro model in the four-ringed line-up.Benz has shifted more than 2200 of its AMG-badged cars and can likewise expect a surge in sales after last month’s GLA45 AMG compact SUV launch.It is a similar story at BMW, despite a gap between the run-out of its old M3 and the launch of the new M3 sedan and M4 coupe/convertible.BMW has sold 1142 M-badged cars to October’s end, a 75 per cent increase on 2013.

Jaguar F-Type all-wheel drive confirmed