The Jaguar XK has been on the market for quite some time; it was first shown off at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show. Jaguar has been through a lot since then; a sale to India’s Tata Group and a renaissance that began with the XF sedan.

Since its introduction, the XK has only gotten better through continuous improvement. It got a second lease on life when the XKR-S was introduced, and since then the car’s sales mix has skewed toward the upper end of the market. Models like the Artisan have been introduced that are aimed at higher-end customers.

There were a few questions about the XK’s future when the F-Type debuted. The two are pretty similar in size and pricing, but the F-Type is not a replacement for the XK. What’s next for the XK? Jaguar Design Director Ian Callum (the designer of the current XK) spoke to Autocar about just that. “It could grow into the luxury market, and grow in size,” he said. “Whether it stays the same as a two-plus-two or becomes a two-plus-more-than-two has not been committed to yet.” Prior to the F-Type the XK had to serve two roles: luxury GT and sports car.

Arrival of the F-Type as a sports car frees the XK up to be more of a luxury coupe – maybe more in the Bentley Continental GT vein. This increase in size would also bring a bigger price tag. Callum says Jaguar is currently “going through a lot of discussion” about the XK’s future. A top-end luxury XK has our support. In other news, Callum refused to be pinned down on an SUV, saying only that Jaguar is taking notice of their popularity. Regarding the XJ, Callum says it will remain in its current format. “I think the market [for full-size sedans] will come back,” he said. “We’re strong in China and big cars are also always going to be popular in the US.” Hopefully the new XK isn’t too far around hte corner.

Jaguar and its performance cars have always been iconic. Witness the classic E-type or the XJ220 supercar. That car was born thanks to an under-the-radar project by its employees. The rest is history. Lately, Jaguar has taken much more of an interest in drawing on its performance heritage.

At the Paris Motor Show earlier this year, Jaguar introduced its much-awaited F-type sports car. The company is hailing it as an example for future models to come. In 2010, at the Geneva Motor Show, Jaguar introduced the C-X75 concept. It was a stunning supercar design, with an elegance unique to Jaguar. At the time it seemed to be just a pie-in-the-sky design exercise.

After an incredible reception by the automotive press and public attendees of the Geneva show, Jaguar announced a year later that it would be produced in a limited run. One of the major elements of the car was its turbine powertrain. For production, the car would use an equally advanced but less costly hybrid set-up. There would be electric motors working in concert with a 1.6-liter super and turbo-charged (also known as twin-charging) engine, making 500 horsepower.

This would serve as a generator to charge the car’s battery pack. This set-up means the car would never be on gasoline power only, and in electric-only mode, the car could travel at speeds up to 40 mph. An eco-friendly supercar, imagine that. Alas, it was not meant to be. Via Autocar, Jaguar Global Brand Director Adrian Hallmark has announced that Jaguar has cancelled the 200 unit production run of the C-X75. The reason? “We feel we can make the car work, but looking at the global austerity measures in place now, it seems the wrong time to launch an 800,000-pound to 1 million-pound supercar.” Given all the cut-backs, Jaguar probably decided the bad optics of launching an extravagant supercar outweighed the benefits.

Los Angeles is what some might consider the center of car culture. In terms of car design and moving the needle, the LA auto show was as exciting to look at as star on the walk of fame. With so many cars getting better fuel economy, better handling, quicker 0-60 times, loaded with tech, and even safer, one of the only bullets left in the gun to separate one make from another is styling. After all, if two cars are so close in nearly every comparable way – the car with the better looks wins (almost) every time.

In this post, I will be as objective as a non robot or non politician can be. We all have our like and dislikes. I also know that every reader here would hate to live in a world where everything looks like an econobox – or the box that the econobox came in. I am not a great believer in suspense – so on with the commentary!

First, I am a bit confused as to which bit of  blue nonsense was the Jaguar XFR-S and which one was the Volvo S60 Polestar. Lets see, a shade of paint that would only look right on a Japanese KEI car – check. Catfish inspired front air intake – check. Would be ashamed to pull up next to an M5 (visually) check.

Second, is the Mercedes Benz SLS AMG Black Series. I will overlook the Bumblebee paint/trim combo to zero in on the lines. What are they trying to do to this car exactly? Its gull-winged grandfather was graceful yet aggressively styled and is considered a masterpiece. The Black Series makes a poor design worse. Aping some of the best Viper lines and then creating a blunt front end mades little sense in any conventional or unconventional school of thought. The 2/4 view lacks any sort of focus, and only the full rear view is something that passes for great – granted that is the view you will see as it races away from you at stop light. Ask yourself this, would the Viper GTS with the doors from the SLS look considerably more well crafted and complete from a design perspective?

Third, the Fiat 500L. Simply put, London taxi meets PT Cruiser. I cannot imagine the design sessions that produced this – sketches of different parts thrown into a hat? The target market is presumably the same as for the Mini Countryman – good luck with that. The front end takes what is nice about the 500 (in very small doses) and tarts it up to be a collection of disjointed slits and inlets. The headlights seem to want to pay tribute to the new Range Rover language, but are not as sharp literally or figuratively. The side view is a slab rendition of the PT and the rear tries to mimic the mini but does not come close to being as nice or interesting.

As for the best in show, I will give it to the Porsche Cayman. Although predictable in its execution, it showed what a restrained pen can achieve, building on a great foundation and bringing new life to a design that was already aging well. The full on front view has a nice blend of Porsche / bit of Lambroghini at the air intakes. Even if there should be a royalty payment for all of the makes that have ripped of the trapezoidal look of air intakes, Porsche is a member of the family now and can be excused. From the side, the larger side intake is aggressive and welcome. The rear 3/4 view is much better and more sculpted that the Gen. 1 example. The spoiler through the taillights trick is another great piece of engineering/ eye candy. Overall it is stunning not only as a Porsche, but as a sports car done right.

LA(ME) might have been the obvious pun – but it was the truth. Putting the top on a convertible proved to be the runaway winner which in a way is sad. Auto shows are a way to show breakthrough designs and not take ideas and retread them and throw it into the mix. Where is the next A8? Where is the next Veloster? The answer is, not at this show.

Say hello to the fastest and most powerful Jaguar sedan ever. And, it gets 23 miles per gallon to boot. No gas guzzler tax – imagine that! Striking blue is beginning to become a color associated with Jaguar. Who would have thought? With the XKR-S, Jaguar entered a new phase of its performance program. It’s almost enough to make us forget about the Ford years. Last week, Jaguar teased the XFR-S for the first time.

The XFR-S is a car we’ve heard about coming for quite some time, so we knew what to expect, but that doesn’t make it any less cool. Looking like a four-door version of the XKR-S, the XFR-S comes packing the same power plant – a supercharged 5.0-liter V-8, making 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque.

It is mated to an 8-speed ZF transmission with Quickshift functionality. That is enough to push the car to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. This is the car for those who think the XFR just isn’t enough. The XFR-S is much more than just a power upgrade though. It includes a host of other changes, both visually and under the skin. Huge 20-inch “Varuna” forged alloy wheels with wider tires make a big statement.

The exterior bodywork is much more aggressive, so you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s just for appearance, but it isn’t. “The Design Team was very conscious that it would be the aerodynamic solutions required to deliver the performance of the XFR-S that would dictate its aesthetics. This is a concentrated and focused car and the design revisions and the materials used all reflect that” says Wayne Burgess, Studio Director, Jaguar Design. Carbon fiber pieces such as the front splitter, extended side sills, and aero blade molding, reduce exterior lift by sixty-eight percent. Under the skin, an upgraded front and rear suspension increases lateral stiffness by thirty percent. If you want an XFR-S, you’d better get in line. Jaguar says it is only available for the 2014 model year, and that just one hundred will be ear-marked for the U.S- market. Delivery will begin in summer of 2013 with a price tag starting at $99,000.

Jaguar has ambitious plans of competing globally with Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. And certainly on the top end it is doing so: the XF and XJ are highly regarded in their respective segments. Beginning with the XF, Jaguar’s image has turned around dramatically.

So far, the Tata Group has done an excellent job of managing the company. From a volume standpoint though, the problem with Jaguar is a lack of models. It currently has no crossover variant, and like Cadillac, has lacked an entry level model to compete with the BW 3-series and Mercedes-Benz C-class.

Given that sales are concentrated in the entry level segment, this upcoming model will be a very important one for Jaguar. The last time Jaguar tried an entry level model with the X-type, it didn’t go too well. But that’s because the car was based on Ford mechanicals and had little to offer in the way of luxury and performance. In stark contrast, the upcoming model from Jaguar is much awaited by the automotive press. Automobile Magazine reports that the car has been given the go ahead for a launch in 2015. Under code name X760, there will first be a 4 door sedan and then a small crossover will launch the year after. Both models are expected to significantly increase Jaguar sales. Introduction of the F-type sportscar, along with a new small sedan and crossover, will help to fill out Jaguars line-up nicely.

After chasing the low end of the market under Ford’s ownership, Jaguar is showing a lot of life in the high-end luxury and performance segments. The XJ has done very well at the top end, and Jaguar says that sales of the XK are skewed to the high-end as well. The XK got a new lease on life when the XKR-S model was introduced a while back. The most extreme version of the XK, the car made a mark with its striking blue paint. Now Jaguar is set to expand this model line with an XFR-S that will debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Show.

Jaguar says the XFR-S will be the fastest sedan that it has ever made. Under the hood will be the XK’s 550 horsepower supercharged V8. This should ensure record-breaking performance for Jaguar. While all the details are not finalized yet, only 200 units are destined for the United States. 2013 is shaping up to be a big year for Jaguar. The company has made efforts both to expand mainstream appeal by offering a new V-6 engine and all-wheel drive, as well as burnishing its image with new performance models like the F-type. The F-Type has generated a lot of excitement for Jaguar. It will be making its North American debut at the LA show next week.

Leave it to a sports car to generate a lot of excitement. The 2014 Jaguar F-Type, is clearly the star of Jaguar’s lineup. The F-Type is a continuation of Jaguar’s spectacular comeback that began with the XF mid-size sedan. For a brand that for years had pathetic retro designs based on Ford platforms, it was a startling turnaround.

Since the XF, Jaguar has never looked back, introducing the XJ full-size sedan and focusing on expanding lineup appeal for 2013. A new supercharged V-6 engine and eight-speed gearbox have enabled reduced starting prices, boosted fuel economy and all-wheel drive capability. All these things should boost sales. What Jaguar really needs though is new models – mainstream models. That’s because Jaguar’s lineup isn’t rounded out – two sports cars (XK and F-Type) and two sedans (XF and XJ).

The entry-level 3-Series segment isn’t covered and neither is a crossover in any fashion. According to Autocar, they are on the way. The one we really care about is the 3-Series competitor. That’s because Jaguar has never put a serious effort into creating one – no the X-Type doesn’t count in any way. A rear-wheel drive Jaguar 3-Series in the vein of the XF and XJ would be a major hit, and a potent competitor in the segment. We wouldn’t be surprised to see it rocket up there along with the 3 and ATS at the top of the segment.

A small crossover could also be in the works, likely sharing a platform with the Range Rover Evoque. Jaguar has debated adding a crossover for years – with Land Rover under the same roof many have questioned the merit of adding one. Sooner or later though it is bound to happen. As for design, Jaguar brand manager Adrian Hallmark says the F-Type is the reference for every future Jaguar…”[it is] the core of our range, and from now on it is our orientation point.” That is an interesting statement given that we’d think the next-generation XK would have that role. Still, we aren’t complaining – the F-Type serves just fine as an “orientation point” in our book.

The Jaguar F-Type dropped at last week’s Paris Motor Show and instantly became the star of the event. Jaguar is thriving under Tata’s ownership, and what better way to generate excitement for the company than a new sports car. The leaping cat has pursued divergent strategies over the past decade, but appears to have hit its stride.

There is a lot of momentum in 2012, and going into 2013 Jaguar will be better positioned than ever thanks to new V-6 engines and the added availability of all-wheel drive. Evidence of Jaguar’s resurgence is the fact that the F-Type is having an even bigger impact than any of us anticipated.

Enthusiasts are stoked about a new Jaguar, and that’s a great development. For years we’ve heard of the F-Type being a Boxster competitor. New pricing has come out and it shows that Jaguar might not view it that way. Clearly they are charging for the exclusivity of the Jaguar name, pricing the F-Type at $19,500 above its chief competitor.

Would Ford have been this bold? We doubt it – it’ll be interesting to see if the move pays off. The new F-Type is pretty small and we expected to come in at a good deal under its larger XK brother. The new convertible starts at $69,000. The base model is powered by the company’s new 3.0-liter supercharged six-cylinder. It makes 340 horsepower in this application. For 40 more horsepower, beefed up braking and a limited-slip differential (along with a host of other upgrades) be prepared to shell out $81,000 for the F-Type S.

The top-shelf 5.0-liter V-8 powered Jaguar F-Type S dings the cash register at $92,000 and pumps out 495 horsepower. As for 0-60 times, the base model comes in at 5.1 seconds, the F-Type S is at 4.8-seconds and the V-8 takes just 4.2 ticks. With this move in pricing, the mid-grade and top-line models are very close to XK territory. This XK has been on the market for a while and is due for a full redesign. Sources say the XK will be pushed up the ladder a rung to provide space between it and the F-Type. These are exciting times for Jaguar – 2013 should see the brand post its best sales figures ever.

It could be said that luxury car brand Jaguar has been sinking their claws into automotive marketplace. For the first time in decades, Jaguar has a brand-wide style in touch with modern design and technology. Jaguar coupled with its sister truck-based luxury vehicle brand Land Rover led their parent company posting sales of 305,859 units, 21 percent ahead of the previous 12-month span. With Jaguar car sales itself showing a more modest increase of over 4 percent, interest in “the cat brand” is reaching an exciting, new level. Definitely set to ride the wake of the British auto brand’s success, the 2012 Paris Motor Show welcomes Jaguar’s latest vehicle that will be become a new creature in the sports car jungle.

After a 38-year wait since the last E-Type was produced, the ancestral successor to Jaguar’s most iconic vehicle has arrived. A modern front-engined, rear-wheel driven performance car, the Jaguar F-Type is a soon to be production model looking to rekindle the time luxury and speed were hallmarks for the British company. Returning to the two-seat sports car market for the first time since the building the ultra exotic XJ220 supercar, the Jaguar F-Type is a clear attempt to tug on the heartstrings of those romanced by the 1960s-1970s icon judged by many to be the most beautiful vehicle ever built. The 21st century F-Type luxury roadster borrows heavy influence from the C-X16 concept car of last year. The F-Type’s large, low front grille, the muscular “power bulge” hood as well as bi-xenon headlamp housing sailing up over the front wheels are front end details effective to define it from even other current Jaguar models. The rear of the Jaguar F-Type rear features a low tail look similar to the E-Type roadster. Modern touches within the rear end styling include LED taillights and a deployable deck spoiler that can provide 120 kilograms (264.55 pounds) of resistance against rear end lift. An overall vehicle shape considering aerodynamic as well as a refined design presentation, Jaguar engineers’ extent in optimizing the F-Type’s appearance involved tucking the door handles into the bodywork. Deploying when summoned by a press of a key fob or it pressing on the surface of the door, the Jaguar F-Type’s handles are referred to as “a mechanical handshake”.

The production-ready Jaguar F-Type is shaped by an extensive amount of aluminum. While Audi receives many accolades for a premium carmaker experienced in the lightweight alloy, Jaguar has also been widely effective in the use of aluminum in past vehicles. The F-Type takes Jaguar’s aluminum construction through use in the body, frame and within the double wishbone suspension on all four wheels of the sports car. The result is a vehicle engineered to present excellent all-around handling for the driver and passenger to enjoy the F-Type.

A clean, refined sports car is carried into the interior presentation of the Jaguar F-Type. A two-seat cockpit, the Jaguar F-Type clearly communicates that the driver is the focus in what is described as an asymmetric cabin. The look and control access of the driver side is designed to provide a motorist with a fighter plane-like feel. A joystick-shaped gear selection lever is a notable inclusion of the serious, aerospace-inspired performance feel of the Jaguar sports car interior. The air vents are hidden inside of the F-Type with only the driver or the car’s computer control permitted to open.

All Jaguar F-Types will be equipped with an 8-speed “Quickshift” transmission featuring sequential manual shifting control through the gear lever joystick or steering wheel-mounted paddles. The Jaguar F-Type sports car will be available in three different models based on engine choices. Two versions of the F-Type will be propelled by Jaguar’s new high-technology 3-liter V-6 powerplant. A base F-Type will deliver 340ps (335 horsepower) while the F-Type S model will enhance engine output of 380ps (374 horsepower). In base trim, the Jaguar F-Type sails from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 5.1 seconds. The F-Type S extra 40ps allows the Jaguar branded vehicle to accelerate through the same performance plateau in just 4.8 seconds.

While the performance of the V-6 powered Jaguar F-Type models will be the ideal method to send wind through the your hair on the highway or through a summer Sunday drive, the F-Type V8 S is the radical sports car more likely to strip the hairs from your head. Featuring Jaguar’s supercharged 5-liter V-8, the F-Type V8 S sports car generates a sensational 495ps (488 horsepower). A cat that definitely pounces, the Jaguar F-Type V8 S needs a mere 4.2 seconds to accelerate to 60 miles per hour from a standstill. With a steady, straight path, a 186-mile per hour top speed is obtainable with the Jaguar F-Type V8 S sports car. All S model of the Jaguar F-Type will include a limited-slip differential for improved performance driving traction and an active exhaust system.

Release of the Jaguar F-Type to the public is likely to take place early-to-mid next year with pricing details set for sometime prior.

Information and photo source: Jaguar Land Rover

Last year Jaguar showed off the C-X16 Concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Rather than a hint at the next-generation XK, it previewed a new sports car that would slot in below it. This smaller sports car is the long-rumored F-Type.

And, by long-rumored we mean years. Sources have talked about an F-Type sports car since the beginning of the last decade, back when the Porsche Boxster was the shiny new toy in the Porsche stable. Now it is finally coming to pass, scheduled for launch at the Paris Motor Show. As with many reveals though, it has leaked out early. An image of the car was posted on Facebook by spy photographer Chris Doane, who said he received it in his inbox today. Given that he has little incentive to get on a manufacturer’s good side, he posted it.

While it is just the front angles of the F-Type, we can glean that the car is very, very close to the C-X16 Concept. To our eyes, that is a good thing. It isn’t groundbreaking or revolutionary, and that’s OK – it’s good looking. Unlike the C-X16, the F-Type is debuting as a roadster. We like it as a coupe, but the F-Type is a Boxster competitor, after all. Word on the street is that the We do know V-6 power will be standard, with the possible availability of a V-8 engine in higher trim levels. Lightweight and nimble, this is an exciting addition to the Jaguar lineup. The F-Type’s official launch will come next week, along with a whole slew of new images and the spec sheet.

Prior to the arrival of the Jaguar XF, the leaping cat brand had been a bit player in the volume luxury market for quite some time. The XK sports car was perhaps the first sign of life at Jaguar. The brand’s decimated status came because of Ford’s ownership, which sadly tarnished Jaguar’s image by producing cheap, backwards-looking designs on Ford underpinnings. Yeah, we weren’t fans of that era at Jaguar. Today the company is dramatically different.

The XF started off as a sales hit and the gorgeous full-size XJ sedan continued the product renaissance. Under the ownership of the Tata Group Jaguar is aiming to fill out its lineup and take on the “Big Three” German luxury automakers directly. Currently Jaguar offers only the XF, XJ and XK – three model lines. In the future it will need a smaller 3-Series competitor to add volume. Before it can add new model lines though, Jaguar is focusing on maximizing sales potential with what it has first.

A big gaping hole in the lineup has been the lack of all-wheel drive availability. Cars are increasingly ordered with the option all around the country, and particularly in colder and more mountainous climates. To fix this, Jaguar has announced all-wheel drive options for the XF and XJ, as well as new powertrain options. We’ll start under the hood. With the XF, Jaguar has been at a disadvantage versus the competition. It offered only a 385 horsepower V-8, and that put its starting price at $53,000. Obviously this wasn’t the best setup for fuel economy either. For 2013, the base XF drops four-cylinders in place of a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 260 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque.

The price tag also drops accordingly, to $46,975. Next up is the a new turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6. It starts at $50,000 and makes 340 hp and 332 pound-feet of torque. Jaguar’s 5.0-liter V-8 is still available in the XF Supercharged, making 470 hp, and in the XFR, making 510 hp. As for the XJ, Jaguar’s new 3.0-liter V-6 becomes the base engine, ditching the naturally-aspirated V-8. The naturally-aspirated unit is now now only available in the long-wheelbase XJ; the supercharged unit does duty in the XJ Supercharged and XJ Supersport, with the same power levels as the XJ. Jaguar’s AWD system, dubbed Instinctive All-Wheel Drive is available on XF and XJ models with the 3.0-liter supercharged V-6. Like most systems, it is tuned for a rear-wheel bias but can transfer 50 percent of the power up front if need be. For 2013 these changes mean Jaguar is much better positioned to capture new sales. The lineup is more efficient, less expensive and better in tune with the market – bravo guys.

The 2012 Jaguar XJ is the flagship model for the British brand and embodies what you would expect a premium luxury sedan to be. The XJL takes Jaguar’s legacy of sporting, stylish cars to a whole new level. The L doesn’t mean extra luxury, but it stands for long. It means there is more that aims to coddle and satisfy the luxury buyer. And Jaguar has succeeded in keeping Jaguar’s ideals of “innovation, bold design and effortless high performance.”

The XJ was completely redesigned last year and was awarded “Best Luxury Sedan” by Winding Road online magazine, in both 2011 and 2012. For 2012, the XJ gets a few more goodies to keep luxury buyers in comfort. A suite of enhancements to the interior and options list includes a new Rear Seat Comfort package, which incorporates electric recline, lumbar adjustment and massage functions to “reinforce the ultimate executive limousine experience.”

Luxury and comfort abounds

The 2012 Jaguar XJL won’t be mistaken for anything else on the road. It’s longer than a BMW 7 Series or Mercedes S-Class. The XJL gets an extra long wheelbase that adds nearly 5 inches to the overall length, with longer rear doors and glass. That translates to extra comfort for rear passengers who get that 5 inches in additional legroom making 44.1 inches of rear legroom total.

The Jaguar XJL is a true flagship and knows how to provide even more luxurious accommodations for passengers. The cabin is filled with finest leather and wood, like you would find in a British state room. But the interior is more than just luxurious, it’s also stylish and sporty. This XJL Supercharged model ($91,600) not only gets heated and cooled front seats, but it adds piped leather upholstery and massage front seats with 20-way adjustment and four-zone climate control. And this XJL tester came with the optional suede headliner.

Lightweight aluminum construction

Because of the extra-long length of the XJL, the ride quality is superb. Under the XJL body is a rigid and lightweight aluminum architecture that contributes to the ride comfort. Jaguar is the leader in sophisticated all-aluminum construction. And this unique metal construction also improves handling precision, fuel economy and acceleration. Even though the XJL is a big car, the Jaguar XJL handles extremely well when driven hard in the corners.

The XJL has long-legs and is meant to be driven at high speeds. This tester was only taken up to 90 mph on a stretch of deserted interstate, but it felt like 70. With the standard 20-inch wheels, the bumps were a little more pronounced, but the luxury flagship compares well with the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Supercharged V8 power

The XJ comes standard with a 5.0-liter V8 engine, designed and produced at Jaguar facilities in Coventry, England. The powerplant is all aluminum and features 32 valves, direct injection, independent variable cam timing, cam profile switching, and a variable geometry inlet manifold. The engine produces 385 horsepower and does quite well in the big car because of the light-weight aluminum frame and body.

But the Supercharged variant adds 85 horsepower and 40 foot-pounds of torque, which brings the horsepower up to 470 in the luxury sedan. The additional power cuts one second off the 0-60 mph time, to less than 5 seconds. When the gas pedal is pushed to the floor, the large cat will push you back in the seat and feels like a much smaller car. It’s not until you pull into a parking spot, when you realize this is a big car.

The 470 horsepower aluminum engine is mated to a sweet six-speed manual-automatic transmission that is super-smooth. The gearbox uses adaptive gear-change strategies based on the type of road and the driver’s application of the gas pedal. The transmission has a manual mode all the way up to redline for more aggressive and spirited driving and the paddle shifters work superbly.

A sport suspension to match

The 2012 XJL uses a fully independent suspension, with steel springs in front for precision and air springs in back for the best ride quality while carrying passengers in the rear.  The XJL Supercharged uses giant brake rotors and calipers front and rear, that can be seen peeking through the 20-inch wheels. With a gentleman’s agreement limited top speed of 155 mph, the driver has the comfort of knowing the big car will stop quickly.

XJL Supercharged ($91,600) also gets an active rear differential in addition to the more powerful engine, a panoramic roof, driver assist package with adaptive front lighting, cornering lamps, headlamp washers, intelligent high beam, keyless entry and start, and a Bowers & Wilkins audio system. The optional Illumination Package ($1,700) adds lighted door and trunk sills, and illuminated air vents.

The 2012 Jaguar XJL Supercharged does everything you expect in a ultra-luxury sedan. The large sedan has the extra room for passengers, luxurious appointments throughout the cabin, a sporty personality, and performance that will match the German sports sedans. We have to agree with Jaguar when they say, “the XJL Supercharged is a special car to drive or be driven in.”

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For a long time, the scope of automotive power was covered by the saying “there is no replacement for displacement”. In the 21^st century, the rules for gaining optimum engine power have changed in the face of improving emissions and fuel economy. The widespread usage of technologies such as variable valve timing gasoline direct injection, forced-air induction and friction-reducing components has not only allowed for more power but better combustion efficiency.

Thanks to the best efforts of auto companies today, the modern automotive marketplace now has small four-cylinder engines with the performance of six-cylinder engines of a decade ago and six-cylinder powerplants delivering horsepower that can make older V-8 engines envious. The Ford Ecoboost family of engines, Chrysler’s Pentastar V-6, Mazda’s SkyActiv and Audi’s TFSI powerplants nets performance qualities comparable to larger engines but with improved fuel economy as an affirmative win-win situation for motorists. Debuting at the 2012 Auto China exhibit in Beijing, British luxury brand Jaguar revealed their next line of gasoline-powered production engines playing along with the modern engineering philosophy of high power, high technology and high fuel efficiency.

A supercharged 3-liter V6 and a 2-liter turbocharged powerplant are the newest sign of Jaguar’s revival under Tata Motors. In building their all-new 3.0 liter V-6 engine, Jaguar engineers drew inspiration on their supercharged 5.0 V-8 powerplant. The 3.0 liter V-6 engine developed by Jaguar is encased within an all-aluminum shell. Environmentally-conscious but also mindful to the existing advantages of reusing materials, recycled aluminum is used to form the 3.0 liter V-6 engine’s cylinder heads. Jaguar uses dual independent variable cam timing (DIVCT) system within the four-valve per cylinder for ultra-efficient drivetrain movement. A Roots-type twin vortex supercharger allows the high compression powerplant to rapidly breathe air-fuel mixture for peak horsepower.

The 2013 model year supercharged 3.0 engine will replace the Jaguar XF’s naturally-aspirated 5-liter V-8 unit. Presenting a horsepower drop of about 45 horsepower for the XF sedan over the current eight-cylinder, the advanced 3.0 V-6 is estimated to be as much as 20 percent more efficient. For the upcoming Jaguar F-Type sports car, the supercharged 3.0 V-6 engine will roar with 380 horsepower. An eight-speed automatic transmission and the luxury brand’s Intelligent Stop-Start System technology will be incorporated on Jaguar’s new supercharged V-6 engine. In addition to the XF sedan, the six-cylinder engine will also be found in the full-size XJ model in markets including Europe, North America and China.

An engine successfully demonstrated with corporate sibling Range Rover as the main powerplant for the Evoque, the 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine’s employment by Jaguar’s car-based application retains most of the redeeming features found on the compact crossover. A 240-horsepower powerplant weighing just over 304 pounds (238 kilograms), the 2.0 liter turbocharged is designed for reduced-friction and faster warm-up times from start-up. Along with high-efficiency, twin balancer shafts achieve luxury car refinement. Jaguar touts that the soon-to-be produced four-cylinder engine supplies more torque than the brand’s 3.2 liter AJ-class V-8 unit that powered European-sold Jaguar XJ sedan. Set for widespread availability on the Jaguar XF, the XJ in European as well as Asian markets will also offer the small gasoline driven turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant.

Displayed for the first time in China as global powerplants, both high-tech 2013 engines are slated to be available on the Jaguar XF sedan in North America providing a much-needed option for the younger luxury car customers. In the United States, the new engines will help Jaguar Land Rover in their attempt to comply with CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) regulations. For 2010, Jaguar Land Rover paid a 3.25 million dollar fine due to their fleet fuel economy average falling outside the 35 mile per gallon car target. While exact numbers are not yet released on either powerplant choice, an average aroung the mid-to-high 20 mile per gallon range sounds most plausible.

Promising the upcoming Jaguar F-Type will be a recipient of the 3-liter engine, pondering leads to if the smaller engines could also be mated to a future North American version of the XF Sportbrake.

Information and photo source: Jaguar Land Rover

Picking a car in the full-size luxury segment would be a hard choice. There are so many impressive vehicles: Audi A8, BMW 7-Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, to a name a few. We love each of the aforementioned cars. If it were our money though, we’d probably have to pick “none of the above” by opting for the Jaguar XJ.

It oozes style and class, and is more exclusive than each of those cars. Particularly sumptuous and uniquely British interior has us won over. It is so luxurious. Now the XJ has just gotten even more so, thanks to the Ultimate Edition, which is being launched in Beijing. Ultimate Edition is one of the components of a push by Jaguar at the upper reaches of its model range.

We’ve told you the Chinese are all about their chauffeur-driven luxury sedans, and as such, the XJ Ultimate Edition is all about the back seat. What an interior! The Ultimate Edition ditches the traditional rear seat bench for two “individually-tailored” rear seats covered in semi-aniline leather. They include all the control and comfort you could ask for, with power adjustment and recline, lumbar support, a massage function (!) and climate controls.
In between the passengers is a prominent center console covered in leather and featuring phosphor blue LED accent lighting. The experience is tailored for the on-the-go business customer. There is a button-activated business table made from solid aluminum and piano black trim. In the seat backs for each passenger are iPads with keyboards and dedicated leather-trimmed charging docks. Of course, there is also rear seat screens and wireless headphones.

Machined aluminum, Herringbone wood veneer and special blue LED lighting round out changes to the interior. On the outside, “discreet” badging and 20-inch “Maroa” wheels are the only differentiators. Under the skin, Jaguar has reconfigured the suspension to “optimize rear ride comfort.” The XJ Ultimate Edition is powered by the British brand’s 5.0-liter V-8 making 510 horsepower. 30 examples are destined for the U.S, all finished in Black Amethyst and priced from $155,000.

The luxury car market (especially in Europe) desires the flexibility and practicality of a wagon. However, as the word ‘wagon’ is a forbidden article in sales brochures of premium-badged vehicles, luxury car brands have concocted a multitude of phrases to substitute in the description for cargo-friendly automobiles. Acura and Cadillac uses the Sport Wagon moniker as a means to convey some excitement joining utility. Mercedes-Benz will debut their fusion of sport and wagon practicality in the form of the Shooting Break next year built off the CLS-Class architecture. Making its first public appearance at the 2012 Geneva Motor show, Jaguar will join the modern premium wagon landscape with the XF Sportbrake.

As reflected in its energetic name, the Jaguar XF Sportbrake conforms to wagon-like shaping but relays a confident sport sedan exterior grace. Resulting in a flattering shooting-brake design, the Jaguar XF Sportbrake roofline makes a near effortless arch from the A-pillar to the rear tailgate. A reconfigured front end for the XF Sportbrake displays an upright main grille opening. Bi-xenon headlights are accented by LED daytime running lights wrapping the lamp housing in a J-pattern. At the Jaguar XF Sportbrake’s prominent rear portion, LED light housings are aesthetically connected through an elegant chrome bar.

Providing customers a chance to infuse the extra styling edge onto the exterior, the Jaguar XF Sportbrake will come available with an Aero Pack and Black Pack. Enhancing the front bumper, side sills and extending the XF Sportbrake’s standard rear spoiler, the Aero Pack will be standard on some trim levels. The Black Pack darkens surfaces of the Jaguar XF Sportbrake while adding alloy wheels.

A refined five-passenger interior, the Jaguar XF Sportbrake immediately offers a roomy cabin. The Jaguar XF Sportbrake’s interior is finely decorated with aluminum and wood veneers providing the driver with amenities such as Adaptive Cruise Control. Presenting a maximum cargo capacity of 1675 liters (59.15 cubic feet) with the 60/40 split rear seats folded down, the space inside the Jaguar XF Sportbrake is more than three times larger than the XF sedan volume. The XF Sportbrake’s rear space can be configured with available floor rails to securely carry a wide range of cargo ranging up to 1970 millimeters (77.56 inches) in length.

Equipped with the Jaguar Adaptive Dynamic system, up to 500 ride damping adjustments per second allows the XF Sportbrake to achieve great stability and handling while also supplying a level of comfort discriminating luxury car owners would expect. Air suspension is also standard on all Jaguar XF Sportbrake models programmed to retune itself in respect to cargo and passengers.

When the vehicle premieres in Europe, engine power for the Jaguar XF Sportbrake is said to be based exclusively on diesel powerplant. A 2.2 liter four-cylinder with Intelligent Stop-Start technology maintains very high fuel efficiency. For sportier intentions, a twin-turbocharged 3-liter V-6 engine generating 271 horsepower and 442 pounds feet of torque launches the Jaguar with cat-like momentum. Both diesel powerplants of the XF Sportbrake are mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission. With no plans mentioned on bringing the XF Sportbrake to North America with its Geneva revealing, the absence of a gasoline engine will almost completely write-off sales in the United States. Though new technology has effectively changed perception of the popular diesel engines sold in Europe, automakers remain wary of selling diesel powerplants in North America.

Pressing the Jaguar brand into a territory where the British luxury marque is currently absent, the Jaguar XF Sportbrake will become only the second production wagon to be built by the auto company (the X-Type Estate produced between 2004 and 2009 was the vehicle their first). Very entrenched followers of the Jaguar division would also recall the highly rare two-door estate vehicles called the Lynx Eventer. Based on the XJS sports coupe, the aftermarket converted Lynx Eventers could be the closest attempt to capture the spirit of Jaguar luxury performance presently on the road.

Set for a late summer or early fall 2012 release in Europe, the Jaguar XF Sportbrake will be the factory’s turn to demonstrate shooting-brake design.

Information and photo source: Jaguar Land Rover