Jaguar News

New S-Class Coupe to make Australian debut at Motorclassica, along with appearances from Maserati, Jaguar, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin and Lotus.Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building will play host to Motorclassica this weekend, as over 500 cars and motorcycles fill the world-heritage listed building and its surrounding grounds.Celebrating classic cars and bikes, Motorclassica started as a concourse event but has since grown to become a motor show-style exhibition which has attracted attention from several iconic sports car marques.Among the classic cars at this year's event will be new models from Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Porsche, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Lotus, Caterham and Morgan.Each of these brands have rich histories, and Motorclassica gives manufacturers a platform to build on this heritage with their latest models.S-Class Coupe will be available with a number of powertrains, including the 430kW/900Nm AMG 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8Mercedes-Benz was the first contemporary manufacturer to debut a new model at Motorclassica last year, and will use this year's event to reveal its new S-Class Coupe to an Australian audience for the first time.The new model is Mercedes' flagship luxury coupe, replacing the CL-Class range, and will rival the Bentley Continental when it goes on sale locally in the first quarter of next year.Though Australian specifications are still unconfirmed, the S-Class Coupe will be available with a number of powertrains, including the 430kW/900Nm AMG 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 aboard the S63 performance flagship.Maserati will celebrate 100 years in the automotive business at this year's show and is expected to be represented strongly with iconic past models. The Italian marque's new Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans will also be on display, along with the Gran Turismo and Gran Cabrio two-door models.Jaguar will showcase its F-Type R Coupe, the firm's most powerful production model ever, while fellow British brand Aston Martin will have a Vanquish and V8 Vantage on display.Lotus will also show a pair of mid-engine Exige S sports cars, one hardtop and one roadster.The show will also celebrate 50 years of the Ford Mustang with a special display featuring the most desirable and classic Pony cars, although the new 2015 model due to go on sale in Australia next year won't make the show.Motorclassica 2014 will run between October 24-26 at Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building.

Jaguar's new XE medium-size sporty sedan arrives next year as a direct competitor for the BMW 3 Series, new Benz C-Class, Lexus IS and Audi A4.Sitting beneath the existing XJ and XF sedans, the XE will be priced commensurate with the competition which means a likely starting point in the mid-$50,000s.This is a completely new model from Jaguar, which last played here about a decade ago with the unloved, Ford Mondeo-based X-Type.The XE is a whole different kettle of fish being a total Jaguar effort right down to the engines and underpinnings.EXCITEMENTAdding more than a dash of excitement is the fact that plenty of technology from the stunning new F-Type sports car finds its way into the XE.It ushers in a raft of new manufacturing processes, new connectivity technology, new rear suspension, electric steering, as well as lightweight construction materials and systems.ALUMINIUMJaguar built a specialised plant in the UK for this car and the Range Rover Sport, both of which are predominantly made of aluminium.It houses the largest aluminium body shop in Europe.XE's chassis is a hybrid of aluminium, magnesium and steel that is welded, riveted and bonded together to form a rigid, light construction.New aluminium alloys, some from recycled material, were formulated for various parts of the car to optimise strength and reduce weight. It has allowed Jag to use, for the first time, aluminium sheet metal body panels with a thickness of just 1.1mm, more than a third thinner than before, without compromising strength.The lightest XE weighs in at 1474kg. The body in white weighs just 251kg.NEW PLATFORMThis is Jaguar's first use of a new, advanced aluminium platform that will see duty on future models including a compact SUV-style vehicle.Nick Miller, XE's Chief Project Engineer said the new platform will form the basis for other cars Jaguar has in the pipline, but wouldn't elaborate further."The XE is a driver's car with sleek looks and a high value level aimed at conquest sales over similar size vehicles and to bring a new audience to the brand," Miller said.CarsGuide can tell you that all wheel drive fits the platform architecture and so does the V8 engine out of F-Type.CUTTING EDGEIt features plenty of cutting edge technology, in particular the new Ingenium petrol and diesel engines with 2.0-litre displacement, both of which pass stringent new EU regulations set to come into force in a few years.The rear Integral Link rear suspension is a new development for precise handling and to work in concert with the electric power steering and numerous driver assist features including radar cruise, auto braking system and lane keeping.A six speed manual is available overseas but we will likely only see the XE with eight speed auto courtesy of ZF.Fuel economy on the base model manual diesel rates an astonishing 3.8L/100km. TECHNOLOGYOther interesting XE stuff includes stereo forward facing cameras to facilitate many of the driver assist features, a laser head up display, new generation touch screen (8-inch), "All Surface Progress Control" for safe driving on ice, and aerodynamics rated at a low Cd 0.26 - the most slippery Jag ever.REPAIRSJag even engineered the car to be easy and (relatively) economical to repair. The headlights are designed for easy replacement and the front suspension has what are called slipping fixings to protect it from kerbing.Safety is rated at five stars but the XE goes further with a new pedestrian safety system featuring a deployable bonnet.The aerodynamic rating was achieved partly from a smooth underfloor.ENGINESJaguar now has control of its own destiny with powertrains thanks to a new engine plant in the UK that will crank out the Ingenium friction reduced 2.0-litre turbo engines. The supercharged 3.0-litre petrol  V6 in XE S is from F-Type - de-tuned a tad and originally based on a Ford design. Drive is, of course, to the rear wheels.SELECTLike its competitors, XE has driver select functions with multiple choices for how the car behaves dynamically and efficiently (ECO mode).Also like its competitors, XE features an advanced infotainment system in this case called InControl with numerous app-driven functions including some by remote control such as the anti theft system.Contributing to the XE's light environmental footprint is engine stop/start on all models, regenerative charging under brakes and deceleration, low viscosity lubricants throughout, ECO driving mode, urea injection in the diesel.STYLEThe XE is a stunner to look at; a scaled down XF but with more attitude even though it's a smaller car.It has presence on the road from all angles and a striking finish.Inside is in the current classy Jaguar idiom: opulent, functional luxury.VERDICTAn awesome car to look at, that's for sure. On paper, it should be the same to drive.

Are you tired of being stuck behind an SUV? If can’t beat em, join em. Paris motor show previews the next big thing on four wheels: pint-sized SUVs for the city.The world’s car makers are rushing to release high-riding hatchbacks that have the commanding view of a family-sized SUV -- but fit in the same size parking space as a Toyota Corolla.SUVs are second only to small cars when it comes to new vehicle sales, and the big brands are finding new ways to fill every possible niche.That means we can expect to see a bunch of tiny-tot SUVs designed for the city, even though they will be dressed up with rugged, go-anywhere looks.Indeed, most city SUVs won’t even have a four-wheel-drive system because they’ll never leave the tarmac.So why are car makers so desperate to get their small SUVs into showrooms? Because buyers are happy to pay a premium for them even though they cost only a fraction more to build than a regular hatchback.Japanese car giant Toyota, the world’s biggest automotive brand, will unveil a city-centric SUV inside enemy territory at this week’s Paris motor show.Even though Toyota is one of the biggest sellers of SUVs on the planet, it has completely missed the march to city-sized softroaders, or “faux-wheel-drives”.Toyota’s swoopy looking “C-HR” concept car is a rather large clue as to what the showroom version will look like when it arrives next year, although no-one knows what ‘C-HR” stands for. “Compact High Rider” perhaps?Even the French, which once revolved against the SUV and vandalized them in the street less than a decade ago, has joined the party.Citroen is poised to unveil the oddly but honestly named “C1 Urban Ride”. It’s a version of its smallest car but with bulging bumpers and slightly taller suspension to give it a macho appearance.Maybe that’s why they’re becoming so popular: blokes need peer approval to buy small cars. Is a Bear Grylls bumper bar enough to get them over the line?Then again, Citroen also released a compact SUV called the Cactus, complete with plastic side mouldings so you don’t get door dings in the shopping centre car park.The Cactus might be made for the urban jungle but it’s not exactly the type of name that would make you want to boast about it.Australians have been at the forefront of the swing to super-small softroaders.Already on sale locally are the Suzuki S-Cross, Holden Trax, Ford EcoSport and Nissan Juke, all priced between $20,000 and $30,000 (when the cars on which they are all based start at less than $20,000).Around the corner are the Honda HR-V and Fiat Panda Cross. Next month Mazda is due to unveil a SUV to slot under the top-selling CX-5.South Korean car maker Hyundai is also working on a super-small SUV, which should be in showrooms in 2016.Meanwhile, for those who think motor shows should always be about high performance exotic supercars, fear not, although the definition of supercar has changed slightly.Lamborghini is preparing to unveil its first ever hybrid sports-car, while Porsche is about to unveil its first ever plug-in hybrid SUV.Porsche’s two-tonne luxury SUV sips less fuel than a Prius -- providing it has enough charge to travel the first 50km on electric power alone before the petrol engine takes over.More affordable eye candy, however, will come in the form of the first ever motor show outing for the new Mazda MX-5 (the world’s top-selling two-seater roadster), and Jaguar XE sedan (no relation to the Ford Falcon from the 1980s of the same name).

Jaguar unveils the new 3 Series-rivalling XE mid-size sedan.After a prolonged teaser campaign, Jaguar has finally taken the wraps off the production version of its new entry-level XE sedan, set to slot beneath the XF and XJ models when it goes on sale internationally next year. Tasked with tempting buyers away from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi rivals, the XE represents Jaguar’s return to the mid-size luxury sedan segment.Last time Jaguar attempted to battle with the 3 Series, it entered into the ring with a dressed up Ford Mondeo in the form of the X-Type that was sold between 2001-09. Now however, things are different and the modern post-Ford ownership Jaguar has produced something rear-drive that might genuinely rival the 3 Series and C-Class segment veterans.The overall design of the XE is a further evolution of Jaguar’s current design language introduced by the larger XF sedan and consolidated with the F-Type. With a long bonnet, rear-set cabin and short bootlid, the aim is to emphasize the XE’s rear-wheel drive stance and sporting intentions.At the rear, the XE adopts a smooth and clean profile with a subtle hint of F-Type in the shape of the LED taillights, while the ‘S’ model (pictured) gains a subtle lip spoiler and dual exit exhaust tips.The interior design is unlike any other current Jaguar, with a clear driver focus. The central stack is relatively undramatic but there are some funky shapes molded into the door panels and dashboard to give a unique aesthetic.The XE is also Jaguar’s first model to receive its new InControl multimedia system which features an 8-inch touchscreen that houses all the gizmos including satnav, Bluetooth phone and audio, USB connectivity and downloadable applications. The car can even become a Wi-fi hotspot, which can serve up to eight devices at a time.In a first for the segment, the XE uses an aluminium intensive monocoque to reduce weight and improve handing and efficiency. Jaguar claims the XE is the brand's lightest and stiffest sedan ever, while it’s also the first model to ride on the British firm’s new modular architecture.Jaguar claims the XE is fitted with the most sophisticated suspension design in its class. Front suspension is by double wishbones while the rear employs an integral link setup, usually only found on larger sedans.The XE will be offered with a range of petrol and diesel engines which can be had with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox and rear-wheel drive.The range-topping XE S model uses the 250kW/450Nm 3.0-litre supercharged V6 from the F-Type and can crack 96km/h (60mph) in 4.9 seconds. A more powerful ‘R’ model is tipped to arrive at a later date with Jaguar’s 5.0-litre supercharged V8 beneath its bonnet.The XE is also launching with a new range of efficient ‘Ingenium’ four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. The 120kW/380Nm 2.0-litre diesel unit will launch first and can produce as little as 99g/km of CO2 in the XE, making this new model the greenest Jaguar ever.The full Jaguar XE range will be announced at the Paris motor show on October 2 before the new model goes on sale internationally early next year. Expect to see the XE in local showrooms towards the end of 2015.

The XE sedan promises to become Jaguar's top seller ... until they do an SUV.The British are coming and the Germans are in the gunsights. Indian-owned British brand Jaguar will march on the compact prestige segment with the XE sedan.There will be spirited skirmishing from the aluminium XE, which is set for an official global unveiling on September 8 and expected by the local Jaguar branch in the third quarter of 2015.Rear-wheel-drive dynamics and shared bits with the F-Type sports car are among the credentials for the small sedan, which would become the brand's volume seller.Jaguar claimed it would double global volumes when it borrowed heavily from then-parent Ford's Mondeo to put the X-Type range on the road 13 years ago but the pint-sized XJ didn't set the sales tally ablaze.Brand manager Mark Eedle says Jaguar has come a long way since the days of X-Type, which disappeared from the Jag price list four years ago.Jaguar's spin has the XE as 'a true driver's car; one that redefines the concept of the sports saloon" - a segment Jaguar says it created over 50 years ago with iconic models such as the Mark II.'We changed ownership and have a whole new design language, we invested heavily in engineering and development, it's a different world," Eedle says The brand 'doesn't talk volumes" but Eedle is clear the XE is a potential sales bonanza. Against C-Class and 3 Series, 'we know there's a volume opportunity and it opens up a huge market for us," he says.'Different parent, different design, different engineering, new aluminium architecture ... when you are going into a segment where you want to deliver the best that chassis is a big attribute." Jaguar is basing its strategy on market analysis suggesting the affordability and value in cars below $100,000 is better in Australia than it is in Europe, An "halo" performance model from the newly formed Special Vehicle Operations is on the cards, given the parts being shared with the F-Type. There will be new petrol and diesel turbo engines.The aluminium architecture was first displayed in the mid-size SUV C-X17 concept. Jaguar Land Rover Australia managing director Michael Winkler can't confirm an SUV but wants to make the most of the flexible platform. 

Jaguar's all-new mid-size luxury sedan will debut in September with F-Type derived suspension design.

The classic Jaguar D-Type makes a comeback.

Images of first Special Ops Jaguar model appear ahead of global Goodwood unveiling.

Jaguar to unveil first car from new Special Operations tuning division.

Anonymous internet hoons Tax The Rich try to set their Jaguar XJ220 alight.