Jaguar Styles up XF Saloon with new Black Pack Kit

Jaguar UK has released a new styling kit for the XF saloon, called the Black Pack. Available on the XF Diesel S, 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 petrol and XFR models, the £950 factory package improves the premium saloon's visual appeal without going overboard.

Those that opt for the Black Pack will get 20-inch Draco alloys, painted in dark grey, gloss black grille and window surrounds, and a choice of several exterior colors, selected to maximize the car's visual impact.

The company said six colors (Polaris White, Spectrum Blue, Ultimate Black, Stratus Grey, Lunar Grey and Liquid Silver) can be order for all variants, while the Kyanite Blue and Salsa Red colors are unique to the range-topping XFR.

"The Black Pack gives the XF a highly distinctive, very modern and a slightly edgy appearance," said Geoff Cousins, Managing Director, Jaguar UK.

For an even more dramatic effect, customers can pair the Black Pack with the XF Aerodynamic Pack on Diesel S models. Launched earlier this year, the latter includes a re-profiled front bumper, black mesh inserts for the grille, lower air intakes and side sills borrowed from the XFR.

By Csaba Daradics

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

Malignant Rumors: Jaguar Considering 2,000 Units a Year of Turbine-Powered C-X75 Halo Car

As Porsche begins development on the hybrid 918 Spyder, Jaguar is reportedly taking the idea of a limited-run production version of its Paris Motor Show C-X75 concept into consideration. Autoweek reports that the British luxury marque is discussing the possibility of building up to 2,000 units annually of its XJ220 successor. If you're thinking about getting the checkbook out anytime soon, though, hold it right there.

First, due to production methods and costs, a firm number has to be decided on in regards to the C-X75's volume. Then, over the next five to seven years, Jaguar will try to prove its futuristic micro gas turbines - which are actually cheaper to develop than an internal combustion engine - are feasible for a consumer vehicle.

Tony Harper, head of advanced powertrain development for Jaguar, says, "We're talking two to three years for implementation of the gas-turbine technology, then another three to four years to integrate into a vehicle."

Should this timeline be believed and the bookkeepers give Jag a green light, we could begin seeing mules of the futuristic turbine-powered supercar as early as 2012 or 2013. Don't worry; by 2017 the Matt Beaven-penned C-X75 should still be looking fresh.

By Phil Alex

Source: Autoweek

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

Motorsport Jaguar XKR GT3

Motorsport Jaguar XKR GT3

Motorsport Jaguar XKR GT3

Motorsport Jaguar XKR GT3

Motorsport Jaguar XKR GT3

Paris Preshow: Jaguar's Micro-Turbine-Powered C-X75 Supercar Concept

To celebrate the big 7-5, Jaguar has rolled out its XJ220-inspired 780-horsepower C-X75 RE-EV (range-extended electric vehicle) concept. Power for this looker is supplied by electric motors working in conjunction with "micro gas-turbines", which also throw in 1180 lb-ft / 1,600 Nm of torque. Jaguar claims the 6-hour-to-charge plug-in sports car has a range of 560 / 900 km miles and an Lithium-ion-only range of 68 miles with a "potential top speed" of 205 mph (330 km/h).

The four 195-horse / 145 kW electric motors are mounted at the corners (one at each wheel) and provide torque vectoring, while the turbines - which can charge the batteries or add 188 horsepower in Track mode - are located centrally in a Texalium-lined compartment. Cooling for the turbines comes from the design of the car itself, which uses integrated channels to move air to the necessary areas.

Inside the car, people will find all the sport-lux essentials: leather, neoprene, soft-touch materials, polished and vapor-blasted aluminum, and seats mounted directly to the bulkhead "as in a single-seater racing car".

Then how does someone get into a comfortable driving position? Glad you asked; all the driver's essentials (steering wheel, gauges, etc.) move forward and then slide back for simplified ingress/egress through the out-and-up doors.

Taking a note from Saab and Spyker, there are a few aeronautical touches throughout the cabin a well. Examples include the gear shifter, a trick switch in the overhead panel that starts the car, and a "stealth" setting that reduces ambient lighting when in track mode.

Also found on the concept is "dramatic theater lighting" which lights up various areas of the car when the key fob is detected nearby, as well as certain interior areas (like the Bowers & Wilkins speakers) when the car is turned on.

Jaguar Land Rover CEO Dr. Ralf Speth says, "Performance through innovation has always been a Jaguar hallmark. From the beginning, cars such as the C-Type and D-Type pioneered aluminum construction, aerodynamic design, racing monocoques and disc brakes. The C-X75 demonstrates that the company is still leading the field in automotive design and technology."

By Phil Alex

_____________________________________________________________________