2011 Jaguar XJ Spy Shots Revealed, Sir William Lyons Turns In His Grave

Jaguar XJ Concept

Spy shots and concept photos published in British publication Car (which I came across via Autopia) reveal a Jaguar XJ that has been redesigned to ensure that Jaguar ultimately meets the same fate as Volvo: obscurity and unpopularity. Abandoning the traditional makeup WHICH MADE THEM LEGENDARY – ahem, excuse me – Jaguar’s design chief Ian Callum appears to have engineered yet another interchangeably-styled luxury sedan. 2011 XJ test mules that were spotted on the test track were heavily disguised under the body work of the current model XJ saloon’s, but I’m not fooled. According to sources, the Jaguar XJ’s new design direction is a heavy crossbreeding of the Aston Martin Rapide and the Bentley Continental GT, which several auto enthusaists have heralded as a much-needed revision of the Jaguar XJ’s “outdated style.”

 

Sigh.

 

Ok. Let me break this down for you: when Ford bought Volvo in 1999 they performed the same kind of overhaul, abandoning the “turbo brick” styling. The result was a retooled Volvo that looked like little more than a high-end Ford Taurus. Now, thanks to that brilliant maneuver, Volvo’s popularity as a brand has been “put in the back on the discount rack, like another can of beans,” (to quote Billy Joel). The only motorists that are still enthusiastic about Volvo are the loyjala fanatiker like myself who remain true to the original Volvo line, manufactured from 1927 to 1999. As a matter of fact, if you ever crack open the pages of Rolling Magazine (the official publication of the Volvo Club Of America), you’ll notice a distinct lack of anything influenced by Ford.

2011 Jaguar XF Spy Photos

Like Volvo, Jaguar’s design isn’t merely an odd, “outdated” aesthetic, it’s a tradition-rich design upon which Jaguar’s legacy has been built. If it’s drastically altered to resemble yet another Bentley look-alike, you will effectively destroy the only traditional thread the Jaguar XJ had left to cling to. Granted, the entire Jaguar line has suffered a fall from popularity, but tampering with its only remaining prize-winning formula isn’t going to change that. I say to Jaguar: leave the XJ alone and focus instead on fine-tuning the two models that are already trying to embolden the mix, the Jaguar XK and the XF. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself sitting next to Volvo on the discount shelf. I hope you like beans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Car: 2012 Chery QQ

The QQ maybe a common car in China, but its outing at the 2011 Guangzhou Auto Show was a rare event indeed, you see Chery never shows the QQ at major events. We’re not sure why Chery don’t like to show the QQ, perhaps due the QQ’s murky past as one of the first Chinese cloned cars where the QQ had a striking resemblance to the then Daewoo Matiz/Chevrolet Spark. However, for 2012 the QQ has had a slight makeover ahead of a new generation coming in 2013/14, which will leave the below car to soldier on for a few more years. The exterior has received a black ‘Triumph style‘ safety bumper around the front end but the rear end seems largely the same. The interior has had a workover and seems a lot less rough than before.

Engines for the new QQ will be the same as the old QQ, so a basic 800cc rising to a range topping 1.3L with a 1.0L in the middle.

Even though the QQ is now nearly a decade old, we think it will still continue to be Chery’s bread and butter car.

Thanks to: China Car Times

New Car: 2012 Hyundai i10 Blue Drive LPG

Hyundai has launched an LPG variant of its i10 hatchback, called the i10 Blue Drive.

This model comes with a factory-fitted LPG kit that has a 34-litre LPG tank while the conventional petrol tank has a 35-litre capacity. According to Hyundai, the LPG-kit is ARAI certified and is impact resistant as well. It is also certified by DOE (Department of Explosives). The LPG-kit is also backed by a two year warranty.

The i10 Blue Drive is priced at Rs 4.2 lakh for the Era while the Magna LPG variant is priced at Rs 4.31 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

Thanks to: Autocar India

Hot News: Lexus to Releas Small Hybrid for GS

Lexus is developing a small hybrid engine to allow its new GS luxury car to compete with more economical European rivals.

Speaking to Auto Express, Koji Sato, deputy chief engineer, product planning said: "We are working on a number of solutions to offer low CO2 emissions and these include a small hybrid."

The new GS launches in the UK in the summer but the only models will be a range-topping GS450h with a 338bhp 3.5-litre V6 hybrid and an entry-level GS250 with a 206bhp 2.5-litre V6.

A small economical and low-emissions hybrid would allow the new GS to compete against big-selling models like the BMW 520d and Audi A6 2.0 TDI, as Lexus has no plans for a diesel version. "Lexus has a strong association with hybrid and we want to continue to develop this," Sato added.

Although there are no details on the new powerplant, it is likely to sit at the entry point to the range and is likely to be a four-cylinder petrol engine mated to an electric motor. Combined power output should be around 180bhp.

Sato said the engine would have to boast fuel economy and CO2 emissions on a par with the BMW 520d, so expect the model to emit around 120g/km of CO2 and return around 50mpg.

With considerable gains in fuel economy and significant savings in tax thanks to low emissions, the new model could open the door to huge sales in the UK and Europe, allowing the firm to attract more company car drivers.

A decision is 'imminent' said Sato on the exact specification of the new hybrid engine, with an announcement expected ahead of the launch of the GS in the UK next summer.

In related news, Sato also said there is a strong desire within Lexus to produce a high performance BMW M5-rivalling GS F model, following in the footsteps of the IS F. "The GS has an all-new chassis with wider tracks, double wishbones at the front and a mulit-link rear set-up. It would make a very good base for a performance car," he added, although admitted that there are no official plans for one just yet. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express

Hot News: Infiniti Plans to Show Eco Roadster at Geneva Show 2012

Luxury brand Infiniti is dipping a toe into the water of the sports car class with a new zero-emission, mid-engined roadster.

The car is set to debut at March’s Geneva Motor Show, and could take styling cues from the Essence concept that was seen at Geneva in 2009. It’s expected to be the size of a Porsche Boxster and feature EV range-extending technology.

Batteries will power electric motors, while the engine will be used only to top them up. If the public reaction is good, Infiniti may hunt for a technical partner for the project. Likely candidates include Red Bull Racing and Mercedes.

Infiniti will be using Mercedes’ 2.1-litre diesels in its M executive car in 2013, while the BMW 3 Series-rivalling G will launch with the same engines later that year.

Also, an Audi A3-sized coupe/crossover, based on the Etherea concept from this year’s Geneva show, should arrive in 2014, sitting on the new Mercedes A and B-Class platform. This could be the brand’s first European-built car, too. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express

New Car: 2012 Tata Nano

The diminutive Tata Nano may has received a slate of minor changes for the 2012 model year, but Tata Motors has promised one thing won’t change: the price.

The world’s cheapest automobile is back for this year with some tweaks that should provide more value for the rupee. For starters, the 624cc two-cylinder engine has been updated to deliver more power and run more efficiently. It now produces 37 horsepower and 38 lb-ft of torque, an increase of roughly 3 hp and 3 lb-ft, respectively. Tata says the new Nano also gets 58.8 mpg, 3.3 more than before.

The Nano keeps its super-small-car street cred, however. At just 122 inches long, the Nano is 17.6 inches shorter than a Fiat 500. It does lose to the Fiat in top speed, however: the Nano reaches its limits at 65.24 mph, while the U.S.-spec Fiat’s 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine propels it to a maximum speed of 113 mph.

The Nano is available in a basic Standard model, a mid-level CX model, and a premium LX level. For 2012, all models now receive booster-assisted brakes as standard, the suspension setup has been adjusted and given a new front anti-roll bar, and Tata says a “racier sounding exhaust note” gives the car “a more assertive road presence,” if that’s possible. There are eight new colors, ranging from Mojito Green to Neon Rush, and the upper two trim levels now have a passenger-side mirror included as standard equipment.

Prices are unchanged from last year, so standard models will start at the equivalent of $2683, while the mid-level CX model (which adds half-wheel covers, better colors, and available a/c) costs $3257. Feeling spendy? Splurge for the LX model, which comes with premium beige fabric seats, central locking, front power windows, and a rear spoiler. That will run you a cool $3756. To put that in context, the price for that entire car is about equal to the optional Designo Matte Silver paint offered on a Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG.

The refreshed Nano is already available for sale at Tata dealers.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

New Car: 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet

The first volleys of what will soon become a crushing salvo have landed. Following the introduction of the 2012 911 at the Frankfurt auto show, Porsche is starting the rollout of the full 991 family with the Carrera and Carrera S Cabriolets.

Aside from the retractable fabric top, the cabriolet differs little from the 911 coupe. When raised, the softtop even mimics the hardtop’s roofline better than past 911 cabrios. To cut down on wind noise and help the cloth top maintain its shape, Porsche fitted a hard composite panel between the layers of cloth above the front seats. The new softtop may be somewhat sleeker, but the outgoing car’s bustle butt remains—there’s only so much room behind the passengers for the 911’s engine and a lowered roof.

Mechanically, the Carrera and Carrera S cabriolets are identical to their roofed counterparts. That means the Carrera gets a 350-hp, 3.4-liter flat-six and the S a 400-hp 3.8-liter. In both cars, a seven-speed manual transmission is standard and Porsche’s seven-speed, dual-clutch PDK unit is optional. Porsche claims the Carrera cabrio can hit 60 mph in 4.4 seconds on its way to a top speed of 177 mph, while the S drops that time to 4.1 seconds and can reach 187 mph. Both cars’ stated performance figures are just a hair or two off of those of the coupe, and we predict they’re somewhat conservative based on our first drive in a 2012 Carrera S coupe. When Porsche launched the coupe, it made a big deal about the car’s enhanced fuel efficiency. It did the same for the cabriolet, but official EPA numbers aren’t yet available; figure on 19 to 20 mpg in the city and close to 30 on the highway, the latter figure abetted by the newly available seven-speed manual transmission.

The topless 911 Carrera will start at $94,650 and the S at $108,950, increases of $3600 and $5000 over last year’s models. Furthermore, both base prices are $11,600 more than an equivalent hardtop’s. At least cabriolet fans won’t have to wait too much longer than coupe buyers to get their hands on the new car—it will hit dealerships in the spring, not long after the hardtop goes on sale in February. A plethora of 911 variants is sure to follow: Turbo, Turbo S, all-wheel-drive Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S, harder-core GT models, you name it. Brace yourself.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

Chicago 2011: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is the fastest, most powerful ever

The 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 was a performance monster, featuring an all-aluminum engine displacing 427 cubic inches that was originally intended for racing. Just 69 units were built, and they are highly coveted by collectors today. Perhaps it shouldn't come as a surprise, then, that Chevrolet chose to resurrect this classic moniker for what it is calling the fastest and most technologically advanced Camaro ever built.

At this point, specifications are still preliminary, but Chevrolet is estimating that its supercharged and intercooled 6.2-liter LSA V8 engine will put out around 550 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque. Those ponies will be sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission using a dual-disc clutch that's necessary to properly harness all those horses. There's also a dual-mode exhaust system that alters the sound level and character in response to engine rpm.

Chevrolet tells us that its goal was to build "a Camaro intended to reach optimal lap times on top road-racing circuits and excellent driving dynamics on the street." To that end, the 2012 Camaro ZL1 will be fitted with a new electric power steering system and Magnetic Ride Control that will offer both Tour and Sport modes. Brembo brakes measuring 14.6-inch (370 mm) in the front (with six-piston calipers) and 14.4-inch (365 mm) at the rear (with four-piston calipers) bring it all back down from speed.

Naturally, there's an updated body kit to differentiate the ZL1 from lesser machines. Most notable are the redesigned fascia that features a front splitter, vertical fog lamps and air intakes designed for brake cooling. There's also a new aluminum hood with a raised, satin black-finish carbon fiber insert that uses a unique air extractor that is said to increase downforce by directing oncoming air over the car. There's also a spoiler at the rear of the car and new 20-inch aluminum wheels fitted with specially developed Goodyear Supercar F2 tires.

Chevrolet promises to have the Camaro ZL1 on dealer lots in the beginning of 2012, and it will be available in any color offered on the Camaro. We can hardly wait. In the meantime, check out all the details in the video and press release after the break, and feel free to drool over the high-res image gallery below.