Jaguar XF 2.2 Diesel Covers 816 Miles On One Tank: Forbidden Fruit

Before you get all excited about this report, note that there are no plans to bring the highly-efficient Jaguar XF 2.2 Diesel to the U.S., at least in this generation of the car. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, we can tell you that overseas buyers can enjoy a luxurious 2012 Jaguar XF sedan that’s capable of driving 816 miles on a single tank.

We’ve reported on the car several times before, namely, its 2.2-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine that’s rated at 190 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque and in the XF returns a combined fuel economy figure of 52.2 mpg.

Further improving efficiency, the new 2.2-litre engine is linked to ZF’s latest eight-speed automatic gearbox and an engine stop-start system--the first time such a device has been fitted to a Jaguar.

The XF 2.2 Diesel is no slouch either, able to dish off 0-60 times in the eight seconds bracket and top out at 140 mph.

Now, two brothers in the UK, David and Alexander Madgwick, managed to drive the car across four countries in Europe, taking in a mix of winding country roads, highways and dense urban traffic. In the end they used just under 17 gallons of diesel fuel, which took them the 816 miles from Birmingham in the UK to Munich, Germany. This equates roughly to an average fuel economy of 48 mpg.
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Source : http://www.motorauthority.com/

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Posted in: Automotive,Car,Jaguar

Report: Jaguar F-Type Greenlighted, But Still In Design Stage

Ever since Tata began its purchase of Jaguar and Land Rover, the word from the top has been that the F-Type was a priority. New reports out of the U.K. this week reveal that the car now has the greenlight, and is currently in the initial design stage.

The report, which quotes CEO Carl-Peter Forster as saying, "we like the idea, we support the idea...We are at the clay model stage, tweaking the idea here and there," doesn't give anything in the way of concrete info on the F-Type, but the fact that it's moving forward from idea toward design concept bodes well for those that have been waiting patiently for several years now.

Hints and rumors that the F-Type would be on its way have been making the rounds in various permutations since at least 2008, though the real story behind the F-Type goes back to 1998, when the XK180 concept was first shown. Under Ford's stewardship, however, Jaguar never realized the F-Type's construction. Now that new ownership is driving toward a more premium future, the F-Type is inching closer to reality.

So what can we expect of the new F-Type? It will look a lot like a smaller, more modern XK, according to reports, with familial design elements shared with the XF and XJ--in short, it should be stunning. It is also expected to be relatively lightweight, though the powertrain for the car is still entirely a mystery. Obvious candidates include the company's existing 5.0-liter V-8, with a possible high-performance R-badged supercharged model as well. With even the standard XF hitting 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds, the F-Type, assuming it hits its lightweight targets, should be very brisk indeed.

Look for more info on the upcoming F-Type right here at Motor Authority as development unfolds.

[via AutoExpress]

Article Source: http://www.motorauthority.com

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Posted in: Automotive,Car,Jaguar

2011 Jaguar XJ Supercharged Review: The Perfect Balance Of Luxury And Performance

Today we’ll take the Supercharged XJ out on the roads around Denver and on a road trip to Glenwood Springs to see how the big cat performs.

The 2011 Jaguar XJ Supercharged is designed to be a performance luxury sedan and it doesn’t disappoint. It offers the luxury buyer a level of comfort unmatched by the competition, and gives the enthusiastic driver excellent performance. The XJ gets a 385 horsepower 5.0-liter V-8 that is adequate for the average luxury buyer.

But for the performance oriented driver, the Supercharged model gets the same 5.0-liter V-8 engine but with a supercharger that adds 85 horsepower and 40 foot-pounds of torque. With 470 horsepower and 424 pound-feet of torque, the Supercharged XJ shaves one second off the 0-60 mph benchmark to less than 5 seconds.

Around town the XJ Supercharged is serene, quiet, and feels like a luxury limousine. The big V-8 is smooth and stealthy as a big cat stalking its prey, extremely quiet at cruising speeds or loping around town. Its large 20-inch wheels soak up most road harshness and only the nastier bumps can be felt. The XJ seems to be a good balance between luxury car-like ride and sports sedan driving characteristics.

But as soon as you dip into the throttle and the supercharger begins to spin, this big cat comes alive. The first thing you hear is the supercharger beginning to spool up with just enough sound, but absent of the whine characteristic of most turbocharged engines. The driver needs to make sure there is ample clear road ahead because this cat is going to run fast.

The driver feels the immediate Gs that push into the seat as early as 2,000 rpm and continues to get stronger as the 470 horsepower and 424 pound-feet of torque gets close to redline. The XJ blows past sixty mph in a staggering 4.4 seconds. But the incredible acceleration of the 2011 Jaguar XJ L Supercharged is a result of more than just all those ponies under the hood. Jaguar engineers trimmed the weight of the XJ with the use of a lighter aluminum structure underneath the beautiful exterior.

The incredible available power is partly due to the flawless six-speed transmission. The ZF tranny just seems to anticipate when to select the right gear for the driver’s level of aggressiveness. When in sport mode, the ZF actually remaps shift points depending on driver input. This transmission is so fast, that the driver forgets to use the paddle shifters. In all of its moves, the powerful XJ feels more agile than its 4,310 pounds suggest.

Tomorrow we’ll give a complete summary of our week with the XJ Supercharged.


Article Source: http://www.thecarconnection.com

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Posted in: Automotive,Car,Jaguar