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2008 Jaguar XJ leaps out of embargo box in advance of Geneva
2007-10-22 19:59:00
by Mike Floyd Jaguar is refreshing its new XJ for the 2008 model year, with the automaker giving its top cat a few minor sheetmetal updates and other upgrades in advance of its next major reworking -- rumored to be for the 2010 model year. XJ is slated to hit the Geneva show stand next week.Most of the changes occur up front, with a new-look grille, bumper, air inlet and fog lamps all part of the facelift. Out back, squint hard and you?ll see a small rear spoiler added (probably not wind-tunnel tested we?re guessing) as the main enhancement. Fender gills have also been added to the mix. New exterior colors to dress up its aluminum chassis will also be available. Inside, the major update is reworked seats designed to improve driver and passenger room. Improved entertainment options are also rumored to be part of the package.Engine choices remain the same, but expect that to change when the new XF sedan becomes available, roughly around same time the new XJ arrives. According to Auto...
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Proteus might build classic Jaguar C-Type coupes
2007-10-22 19:52:00
by Rory Jurnecka Replicar builder Proteus is thinking about doing a car that Jaguar never did, if all goes to plan. Having been in the classic Jaguar C-Type and D-type replica producing business for 21 years, the automaker is contemplating turning a "what if" into reality in the form of a C-Type Coupe. Jaguar only made open top versions of the two-time Le Mans-winning C-Type (built from 1951-1953), leaving Proteus to wonder what kind of market there might be for a closed variant.Recently acquired by Enduro, a rival C-Type replica manufacturer, Proteus will be showing a half scale model of its proposed Coupe at Race Retro, a historic motorsports show held in Coventry, England this weekend. Based partially on initial customer reaction to the design, the company will then decide whether or not to produce the car. A closed C-Type would likely have much greater torsional rigidity than the open car, which could lead to sharper handling and a better ride. But who really needs a logical...
More About: Classic , Coupes , Build

Jaguar adds updates to 2008 XK and X-Type
2007-10-22 19:43:00
by Rory Jurnecka Jaguar has revamped its XK, XKR and X-Type for the 2008 model year, breathing some fresh life into its flagship coupe and entry-level sedan.The XK has been treated to styling enhancements only -- a concealed antenna, revised door switches, new column stalks, and a Piano Black veneer that surrounds the instrument console and shift gate. More aggressive changes have been saved for the big-brother XKR, with new 20-inch wheels, standard Premium Surround Sound, a heated front windscreen, and alloy-finish pedals. Optional on both models are a selection of features that were previously only available on the Portfolio Special Edition, including 20-inch Cremona wheels, a Bowers & Wilkens 525-watt stereo, and an Alcon high-performance brake package.The X-Type sedan has been sharpened visually with a bright mesh grille, a Jaguar trademark. Two new colors also are available: Porcelain White and Blue Prism. The real changes, however, are in the items added to the list of standar...
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Jaguar reportedly pulling plug on X-Type in the U.S.
2007-10-22 19:38:00
by Rory JurneckaThere was just one thing that bothered us about our recent article on Jaguar 's facelifted 2009 X-Type this morning: Jaguar mentioned release dates for the U.K. and Europe, but not for the U.S. Now we apparently know why.According to a recent AutoWeek report citing sources within the company, Jaguar will be yanking the X-Type from its stateside lineup at the end of its 2008 model-year run. Designed as an entry-level model, the X-Type hasn't had an easy run of things on U.S. soil. Since its debut year in 2003 when the X-Type sold some 5,000 examples, sales have steadily nose-dived -- this despite worldwide sales figures in excess of 250,000 since the vehicle's launch.Jaguar is counting on the upcoming XF sedan to compensate for both lost X-Type and S-Type sales when it debuts early next year as a 2009 model. A 300-horse, 4.2-liter V-8 and a supercharged 420-horse 4.2-liter will be North America's only engine choices when the XF hits showrooms.There will be few lame...
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Rolls-Royce Phantom Silver - 100 years of the Silver Ghost
2007-10-22 19:29:00
by Rory Jurnecka The Silver Ghost is undoubtedly one of the most highly-revered Rolls Royce s ever to wear the "Spirit of Ecstasy" hood ornament - something the English luxury automaker seems to be well aware of.To commemorate 100 years of the Silver Ghost (the name was adopted in 1907), a celebratory event was held at Rolls-Royce headquarters in Goodwood, England, where over 60 vintage Silver Ghosts gathered and Rolls announced that a limited-edition Phantom Silver will be produced - with a host of features that distinguish it from your more "ordinary" Phantom.Immediately noticeable is the Metallic Ghost Silver paintwork and the Santos Palissander wood veneer that lines the dashboard and center console. You'll have to look a bit harder to spot some of the other changes, though. For example, you probably won't be able to tell at first glance that the Spirit of Ecstasy is now made of solid silver or that the wheel centers have been chromed. But once you know, you'll likely not have...
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New Ultra High-Performance Tire From Goodyear
2007-10-22 19:24:00
by Arthur St. Antoine You kar kooks out there (don't make me name names) are eating up ultra high-performance (UP) tires like movie popcorn. The American replacement market for summer UP rubber has grown 18 percent in the past five years -- to 6.2 million units for 2007. And now Goodyear, whose fortunes have steadily climbed back from a near-disastrous low in 2004 (stock in the Akron, Ohio-based company had dropped 93 percent from its high), is launching the latest model in its highly successful Eagle line: the F1 Asymmetric.
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No falconry for U.S.: Ford kills left-hand-drive Falcon
2007-10-22 19:16:00
by Kirill Ougarov Ford Australia will reportedly not be producing a left-hand-drive version of the next-generation Falcon , which goes on sale in Australia in April, reports Australia's Drive . A left-hand-drive version of the rear-wheel-drive car, codenamed Orion, was expected after $100 million Australian was invested by the government of Australia and the state of Victoria, but the money was instead spent on setting up production of the Focus for export sales. The news of the death of the LHD Falcon comes five months after Ford Australia president Tom Gorman announced that the long-wheelbase LTD and Fairlane models were being discontinued -- future development of both was another possibility mentioned in Ford's initial pitch to the government for assistance.
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First Drive : 2008 BMW M3
2007-10-19 20:53:00
The 2008 BMW M3 is either a complete winner or a big disappointment. It all depends on your expectations.If you're looking for a supremely fast, incredibly capable back-road stormer, you won't be disappointed; the E92 is even faster than the previous E46 M3.If, however, you think the M3 should be more than just speed, you'll be disappointed. After only a few seconds behind the wheel, it becomes obvious that the M3's engineers traded some driver involvement in return for more speed.More speed, in this case, comes from the retirement of the inline-six cylinder engine that has defined the previous two generations of M3s. As it turns out, there was no more power to be had from a block with six holes in it. The previous 3.2-liter developed 333 horsepower, and the only way to add more ponies would have been to add more displacement. That sounds easy enough, but it wasn't - the engine block was already bored to its maximum, and increasing the stroke would have reduced the engine's ma...
More About: Drive

Nissan Still In Minivan Game In 2007
2007-10-19 20:50:00
As Chrysler prepares to try to shake up the minivan segment with a new generation of its people-mover coming in September, and with Ford and General Motors exiting the market, Nissan is prepared to ante up for a few more hands.Nissan will stay a player for now, in what the Japanese automaker sees as a shrinking?but still viable?market, Larry Dominique, Nissan North America vice president in charge of product planning, told Car and Driver in an interview.The Quest?with a controversial design customers either love or hate?has never sold as well as hoped, even with a fairly comprehensive redesign for 2007. Less than 32,000 units were sold in 2006, down 21 percent from the previous year, and sales are less than 16,000 through June, a one percent dip, according to Ward?s Automotive Reports.Dominique is a Quest fan. He thinks the minivan just lacked awareness. And while assembly of the next-generation Quest will move to Kyushi, Japan, from Canton, Mississippi, that is at least a couple ye...
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NEW CAR BMW X6 2009
2007-10-19 20:37:00
The mounds of cladding are off, giving us our first good look at the new car BMW X6 that is essentially a crossover that tries to look like a coupe, but with four doors. We?re not sure we really get it.Presumably, this new car BMW has decided there are customers who want the look and performance of a 6-series but with off-road capability and a hatch and the cargo space associated with an SUV. The plunging roofline after the B-pillar means tall passengers should ride shotgun?or not at all?and we are leery as to how much gear can easily be stowed in back.Some suggest the new car BMW X6, caught here by our spy photographers, has Dodge Caliber tendencies, something we doubt the Teutonic automaker was striving for. The new vehicle is obviously lower than the X5, whose platform it shares, but the X6 is said to be longer.

Aston Martin reveals James Bond's DBS for "CASINO ROYALE"
2007-10-19 19:05:00
Aston Martin has unveiled the new DBS which will be driven by James Bond, the legendary British secret agent, in the next 007 film, ?CASINO ROYALE?, to be produced by Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for EON Productions. In true Bond style, specific details of the new DBS remain top secret, although Aston Martin Design Director, Marek Reichman, said: ?This car encapsulates a link between our elegant DB9 road car and the powerful DBR9 race car. It signals an evolutionary development of Aston Martin?s world renowned style and elegance.?While hinting at our future design direction, the DBS also has very clear links with our heritage ? it is instantly recognisable as an Aston Martin.?Aston Martin Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez added: ?The DBS continues our proud and lengthy association with James Bond.?The DBS is not of the understated elegance of a DB9, nor the youthful agility of the V8 Vantage. It is explosive power in a black tie and has its own unique char...
More About: Aston Martin , Casino Royale , Casino , Casino Royal

New vehicles for 2008
2007-10-19 18:31:00
Three words best describe the 2008 car model year ? electronics, power and safety. What?s coming from the each of the major automakers for 2008? Here's a summary of the models on offer.Sold off by Ford in March for nearly $1 billion (and now owned by private investors including Kuwaitis) ultra-luxury carmaker Aston Martin launches the DBS for 2008. The sleek, lightweight, two-passenger coupe promises to be the quickest Aston Martin production car ever with a 0-to-60-mph time around a mere 4.3 seconds. The DBS chassis is weight-saving aluminum, and power comes from a 510-horsepower, 6-liter V-12 with quad overhead cam shafts. Top speed is 191 mph.Only some 300 DBS cars will be built annually in Great Britain, so the DBS will be a most exclusive ride. The starting price tag is expected to be around $265,000.Meantime, Aston's long-running Vanquish is ending production, and Aston fans are waiting for the coming launch of the four-door Rapide.
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Suzuki X-Head Concept
2007-10-18 08:14:00
By Ben StewartJapanese supercars are cool, but the X-Head might end up being our favorite vehicle at Tokyo. This is one mean-looking little truck. It?s said to evoke the rough-road toughness of the Jimny (the Samurai to us) and the Grand Vitara but with the load-hauling ability of the Carry (a Japanese mini-pickup). Suzuki says this concept car can be configured for camping, rescue operations or even ?stylish urban mobility.? We?re not exactly sure what that last one means, but we are sure Suzuki should build this trucklet and bring it to the States.
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2008 Subaru WRX STI
2007-10-18 08:11:00
By Ben StewartHot on the heels of Mitsu?s Evo, the WRX STI will make its public debut in Tokyo. This is the ultimate-performance Subaru , drawing direct inspiration from Subaru?s long and storied rally heritage. The all-new STI is, for the first time, a five-door hatchback. But the important stuff is all still there?a 2.5-liter, 304-hp inline four routed through a six-speed manual and Subaru?s sophisticated all-wheel drive system with a limited slip differential at each end. Subaru promises more capability in the chassis with improved comfort, too. We?ll find out for ourselves in a few weeks.
More About: 2008 , Baru

Honda CRZ Concept
2007-10-18 08:09:00
These guys have shown us environmentally responsible sporty car concepts before, but the CR-Z looks the most likely of the bunch?style-wise, at least?to be ready for production. We know Honda wants to create a new halo hybrid car for the brand, and this may be it (though the company?s been mum on tech details so far).
More About: Concept

Nissan GTR 2009
2007-10-18 08:04:00
By Ben StewartUnless another manufacturer pulls the wraps off a surprise supercar, the production Nissan GTR will be the star of the show. At this point, all we?re allowed to show you is this photo of the concept, and all we can say about the technical specs is what?s rumored. The GTR, in case you?ve missed out on video games like Gran Tourismo over the years or haven?t followed the sport compact car scene too closely, is Nissan?s supercar. And the version that the company will show off in Tokyo will be the first GTR to come to the United States?ever. We know the legendary sports car will come with all-wheel drive. And we hear it will have a turbocharged V6 producing around 480 hp, which means it should be about as quick as a Porsche 911 Turbo.

2008 Volvo XC70 Test Drive: Off-Road Luxury Gets Real
2007-10-18 07:51:00
Volvo?s 1997 Cross Country wagon, like the original 1996 Subaru Outback, helped shape the direction of the current crossover vehicle craze. These earlier versions were rugged, all-wheel-drive wagons with raised suspensions for increased ground clearance and imposing bodywork that looked like the perfect mix of rally car and 4x4. Yet they were essentially tall cars, so they packed all the practicality of a station wagon, too. Well, for 2008, Volvo has completely remade the XC70. Now in its third generation, Volvo?s beefiest station wagon offers more refinement, more capability and, because it?s a Volvo, more safety.Our test drive, on the back roads and timber trails in Montana?s northern forests, offered the spectacular scenery of Glacier National Park?and the perfect place to test the rugged capabilities of this handsome wagon. All XC70s come with a normally aspirated 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine that develops 235 hp, replacing the turbocharged inline five-cylinder in the pr...
More About: Luxury , Volvo , Drive , Test Drive , Real

New safety and convenience features.
2007-10-18 07:33:00
Bodystyles: 4-Dr Sport Utility; Engines: 3.0L Horizontal 6;Transmissions: 5 Speed Automatic; Drivetrains: All Wheel Drive; TriBeCa is a trendy, upscale neighborhood between New York's Soho and Lower Manhattan districts. It isn't cheap real estate. Nor is the Subaru B9 Tribeca cheap transportation. Tribeca is a mid-size SUV with optional seating for seven. Its overall dimensions put it in the same class as the Toyota Highlander and Nissan Murano; it's nearly as big as a Ford Explorer. Properly equipped, the Tribeca can tow up to 3500 pounds. Tribeca is fully competitive in this class, especially given its lengthy list of standard features.Subaru is becoming a premium brand. It isn't Mercedes-Benz or BMW, nor does it intend to be, but the technology underneath, the stuff you can't see, is cutting edge, giving drivers the latest in all-weather safety and performance. Last year, Tribeca earned the highest possible rating in NHTSA federal crash tests, with five stars in the f...
More About: Safety , Features , Convenience , Feat

Rumors of a return to the States still circulate.
2007-10-07 01:20:00
By Matt DeLorenzo, Road & TrackAlthough Peugeot left the American market well over a decade ago, rumors of a return to the States still circulate. If the French automaker decided to return, it couldn't have a better offering than a production version of this 308 RC Z concept. Based on the 308 3-door hatch, this Audi TT fighter is powered by a 218-bhp 1.6-liter four with a twin-scroll turbocharger. Equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, Peugeot estimates 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration of about 7.0 seconds. The coupe, which looks like a cross between a TT and the Audi Avus concept, relies heavily on aluminum construction to pare curb weight to approximately 2800 lb. Like any good show car, it rides on huge wheels and tires, in this case 19-in. alloys fitted with Michel Pilot Sport rubber.
More About: Rumors , Return , The State

The lightweight 430 Scuderia is the pinnacle of mid-engine V-8 Ferraris.
2007-10-07 01:14:00
By Patrick Hong with Photos by Stephane FoulonA quick spin in a Ferrari F430 is enough to make anyone ? non-car enthusiasts included ? appreciate the mystique of the prancing horse marque. The F430 positively screams "race car!" and demands complete driver involvement, whether speeding down the road or around a track; its handling agility is amazing, and the high-revving engine note is mesmerizing.For 2008, the F430's tightly wound energy meter is about to spin off the chart with the introduction of the 430 Scuderia , which is comparable in mission to the 360 Challenge Stradale version of the 360 Modena, but with numerous technical improvements.The 430 Scuderia's midship 4.3-liter V-8 is the same basic engine seen in the F430. But thanks to revised intake and exhaust, a new piston shape and a higher compression ratio (all managed by an updated ECU), power gets bumped from 483 to 503 bhp. Expect the exhaust note to sound racier as well.The F1 paddle-shift transmission has been upgra...
More About: Engine , Pinnacle , Lightweight

While this born-again BMW 2002 may be easier on the checkbook, it won't ski
2007-10-07 01:10:00
By the R&T StaffBMW adds an all-new vehicle for 2008 with the rear-wheel-drive 1 Series Coupe. When it makes its debut early next year, the car will be the least expensive in the company's impressive lineup.Available in two versions, the 1 Series uses the capable powerplants from its big brother, the 3 Series. The entry-level 128i is powered by the 3.0-liter, 230-bhp inline-6 from the 328i while the 135i features the 335i's 3.0-liter 300-bhp twin-turbocharged inline-6, this latter unit taking the rakish 2-door from 0?60 mph in a little more than 5 seconds. And while this born-again BMW 2002 may be easier on the checkbook, it won't skimp on features from its pricier relatives. Available amenities include a navigation system with iDrive interface, adaptive xenon headlights (standard on the 135i), Boston leather, HD and Sirius radio, active steering and six airbags (standard on both editions).With essentially the same drivetrains as those found in the 3 Series shoehorned into a smal...
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2009 Jaguar XF
2007-10-07 01:00:00
By the Road & Track StaffBlends sports-car performance with the luxury and comfort of a sedan.Jaguar 's new XF sedan is labeled a 2009 model but will make its way into owners' hands in March 2008. The objective for the XF, according to chief program engineer Mick Mohan, was to create "a bold, striking, contemporary sports saloon [sedan]; a 4-door, 5-seater that blends sports-car performance with the luxury and comfort of a sedan." The XF is powered by Jaguar's 4.2-liter V-8 engine in naturally aspirated (300 bhp) and supercharged (420 bhp) forms. Both engines mate to a 6-speed automatic shift-by-wire transmission with the all-new JaguarDrive Selector rotary knob on the center console, and steering-wheel-mounted paddles for sequential operation.The Jaguar XF replaces the retro-style S-Type sedan. Design Director Ian Callum has jumped Jaguar into modern styling with the XF, creating a coupe-like profile on this roomy sedan. The XF is a bit larger than the S-Type, and the heritage st...

Bugatti Veyron Pur Sang
2007-10-07 00:55:00
A limited-edition Veyron .The interior is also modeled on the coupe version, with the center navigation/ entertainment system neatly tied into the main tier of instruments. Auxiliary controls and the Multi-Media Interface (MMI) knob are nestled in the center console. Like the exterior, the cabin is understated, yet elegant, trimmed in high-quality materials including a choice of wood or satin-finish accents.The interior is also modeled on the coupe version, with the center navigation/ entertainment system neatly tied into the main tier of instruments. Auxiliary controls and the Multi-Media Interface (MMI) knob are nestled in the center console. Like the exterior, the cabin is understated, yet elegant, trimmed in high-quality materials including a choice of wood or satin-finish accents.
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2008 Lamborghini Reventón
2007-10-07 00:45:00
By Matthias PfannmüllerRemember the recent Pininfarina Ferrari P4/5 and Maserati GS Zagato? Well, Lamborghini is now building a specialty car of its own: the Reventón, a limited-edition version to be sold to 20 lucky customers as a designer piece.Deciding not to wait until a coachbuilder picks up a Murciélago to convert it into something different, Lamborghini decided it could do the job better and started work on project code LP640/2, aka the M.O.A., which stands for "Meanest of All." Spokesman Dominik Hoberg said the designation was decided on because the car is expected to have "at least" 650 bhp. However, we now know the final name of the car to be the 2008 Lamborghini Reventón.We all agree that the look is stunning. All body parts are new, except for the windshield. Edgy, metallic-gray carbon panels form an extreme appearance inspired by modern aircraft design. The Reventón sports LED lighting front and rear, an all-new fuel inlet and black alloy wheels topped with carbon blade...

Amazing off-road capability yet comfortable around town.
2007-09-24 20:22:00
IntroductionBucking the trend for mid-size SUVs, the 2007 Toyota 4Runner is no car-based crossover station wagon. It's a traditional sport utility built on a rugged ladder frame with a solid rear axle. It's a truck. While some consider this design dated when compared to the latest SUVs or CUVs, which use unit-body construction and independent rear suspensions, the 4Runner's more traditional design gives it an advantage in long-term durability and on truly rugged terrain.Yet the 4Runner is no rough-rider. It's quite comfortable around town and on the highway, with a nice ride quality, almost luxurious. An optional linked shock-absorber system called X-REAS further improves handling in sweeping, high-speed turns. Active safety features including ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, traction control, and electronic stability control are all standard.The 2007 Toyota 4Runner carries over with no changes from 2006.Though the basic design may be traditional (relatively), the 4Runner features the la...
More About: Amazing , Town , Road , Off-Road