The Jaguar C-X75 concept was one of the more beautiful cars we snapped at Paris 2010. Never thought that it would make production then – the centre of the car had micro gas-turbines that generate power to charge the batteries and extend range or provide supplementary power directly to the motors in Track mode.

But dreams do come true, and the C-X75 is going to production, Jaguar has announced. And they will be collaborating with the Williams F1 Team to create a mega priced Veyron rival that will be rather exclusive – they’re planning for a run of only 250 units, priced between £700,000 to £900,000. The car will feature F1 tech in aerodynamics, carbon composite manufacture and hybrid technologies. The C-X75 will have a carbon fibre tub chassis.

Autocar UK reports strong indications that the C-X75 will use a “highly boosted” 1.6-litre engine that is related to the four-cylinder engine Williams will use from 2013, as with all Formula 1 teams (this was announced by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council last December). In addition, the hyper Jag will have will plug-in electric drive motors on both front and rear axles, so some form of torque vectoring AWD is likely.

Not much details on the powertrain for now, but Autocar speculates a figure of up to 1,000 hp combined. Project targets are 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in less than 3 seconds, 0-100 mph (0-160 km/h) in less than 6 seconds and top speed in excess of 200 mph or 320 km/h.

Going to the shops? The C-X75 will have an all-electric range in excess of 50 km and less than 99g/km CO2 emissions, so you can be as green as a Prius if you’re in the mood.

What about the turbine power as per the original concept? Jaguar will also work on that version, which will come later in the programme. It will feature miniature Bladon gas turbine engines, but Autocar says that over 200 of the 250 units will have the turbo four-pot, and not the jet. Jaguar’s parent company Tata has taken a significant stake in Bladon Jets, and will develop this tech as a medium-term aspiration.

Both the ICE engined and the jet powered car will have a 230 kg lithium-ion battery pack. Live pictures from Paris 2010 and the official snaps are after the jump.
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Jaguar has introduced its facelifted XF sedan at the New York show, and leading the list of changes are cosmetic enhancements which bring the car’s exterior in-line with the design language introduced on the flagship XJ.

Revisions to the grille, hood, and front fenders, which incorporate new triangular side vents, give the car a more muscular appearance. Three front fascia and lower rear valance treatments differentiate between model levels, and the XF Supercharged hood is fitted with louvers featuring the “supercharged” script, while the XFR gets styling upgrades that further differentiate it from the other XF models.

Also new are bi-function HID xenon headlamps, which incorporate LED daytime running lights arranged in a distinctive Jaguar ‘J-Blade’ signature. Over at the back, the tail lamps have also been redesigned and now extend onto the central portion of the trunk lid, and feature LED lighting for stop, tail and turn signal function.

A revised trunk lid trim with a gloss black lower edge separates the tail lamps, and the trunk also features a power latch on all models. Elsewhere, three new colour shades and an expanded selection of alloy wheels, ranging from 18- to 20-inch units round off the revised exterior styling.

The old, and the new

The interior has also been updated, with changes coming in the form of new trim shades, seats, audio systems and instrument panel. The revised front and rear seats incorporate a ‘hoop’ design element on the seat and backrest that improves both appearance and support, and feature a choice of new colour combinations and veneers.

Trim-wise, the centre console, dashboard, and steering wheel get a new colour scheme, where buttons and switchgear are now in dressed in black, and the ‘Tungsten’ finish has been replaced by a more contemporary ‘Aurora’ theme.

Elsewhere, the instrument cluster information display is now a full-colour TFT unit, which offers greater resolution and clarity, and the seven-inch touchscreen now comes with a new polarizing filter for improved contrast – it also features a revised graphics palette, as well as additional buttons below the screen to switch instantly between different functions.

As for infotainment changes, three new audio systems are to be found, headed by an optional 1200 watt, 17-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium surround sound system. Lastly, the hard-drive based satellite navigation system now offers multiple connection options, with two USB ports and Bluetooth connectivity now on for the ride.

Photos after the jump.
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Jaguar’s XK family will have a new range topper soon, as the British luxury brand has announced plans to launch the hardcore XKR-S at the Geneva Motor Show. Although Jag says it doesn’t depart from the XK’s “duality of purpose” which is GT luxury with incredible performance, the XKR-S gets even more power, revised suspension and a more aggressive look.

“The XKR-S is a bold and exciting new model for Jaguar,” said Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar’s new Global Brand Director. “We expect to attract both loyal and new Jaguar driving enthusiasts who still want the comfort, opulence and class only a Jaguar can offer, combined with inspirational performance.”

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The XKR-S produces 550 hp with 680 Nm of torque, which allows it a top speed of 300km/h and 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 4.2 seconds. It uses a tuned version of the supercharged AJ-V8 Gen III 5.0-litre, which makes 510 hp and 625 Nm in the XKR (0-60 mph in 4.6 sec).

Under the skin changes include a stiffer front suspension knuckle (improves steering precision), stiffer front/rear springs, fatter rear tyres, revised dampers and a 10mm lower ride height. Steering and differential settings have been modified and there’s a revised exhaust system in place.

Jaguar lacks a volume seller that fights in the 3-Series/C-Class market and plans to launch one in 2013/2014 to take over from where the discontinued X-Type left off. If it looks anything like what Bertone has in mind, they could have a winner.

This sleek and unmistakably Jaguar concept is the work of Italian design house Bertone. It’s created “in agreement with Jaguar as a view to a possible X-Type replacement,” said Mike Robinson, Bertone’s chief designer. Called the B99, it will be paraded at Geneva.

Looks like a modernised old XJ in photos, but the wide, low roofed B 99 is actually about the same length as a Mercedes C-Class at 4.6 metres long, but this show car is almost 2 metres wide. It also has a clamshell door arrangement, which opens to a pillarless entry. It’s nothing like the current Jags, except for the grille.

“Our B 99 is definitely not a fastback. We think the fastback lifts the body volume too high above the rear wheels. Jags have always had the weight concentrated on the wheels,” Robinson was quoted as saying. He must really dislike the current XJ then!

Gallery after the jump.
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If at first you don’t succeed, try again. That seems to be a definite line of thought for Jaguar at the moment – the company is more than merely toying with the idea of developing a D-segment sedan to compete with BMW’s 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz’s C-Class, by the sound of it.

According to a report, the boys at Whitley are considering a small sports car that can also be offered in sedan guise. Adrian Hallmark, the company’s new global brand director, said that Jaguar needed different – and lower priced – models in order to expand its horizons.

The company, he added, was at the beginning of the process, and it would be another four years or so before anything arrives, reiterating that the sports car would be for image and the sedan, for volume.

The company’s previous outing in the segment didn’t take off as expected – the wishy-washy X-Type of a decade ago never caught buyers’ imagination, to put it mildly.

The company states it isn’t going to make the same mistake with the new one, and that if it did venture into the compact executive segment, the offerings should not only be elegant and have great technology, but must have a sense of occasion and position itself above the competition, which is where Jaguar should be, Hallmark said.

Mercedes-Benz has their MB GUARD program and BMW has their Security division. If you want to be secure in something a little different, Jaguar has a solution for you – the new Jaguar XJ Sentinel which offers ballistic protection of up to the B7 level, blast protection against 15kg TNT equivalent detonated within close proximity of the vehicle, and substantial under floor grenade protection.

The new long wheelbase only Jaguar XJ Sentinel’s protective capabilities is certified by QinetiQ, a globally recognised independent blast and ballistic testing organisation. It comes with a full 3 year or 50,000 mile factory warranty as well as comprehensive after-sales support from specialised technicians.

“The XJ Sentinel was designed and developed in partnership with industry leaders, and incorporates the very latest armoured vehicle systems to deliver extremely impressive levels of protection, while maintaining a very discreet appearance,” said the company’s Managing Director Mike O’Driscoll.

Because of the heavy weight of the Sentinel protection, it’s 385 PS 515Nm 5.0 litre normally aspirated AJ-V8 can only take it from 0 to 100km/h in 9.5 seconds. The car’s top speed is just 195km/h. Wonder why Jaguar didn’t use the 510 PS supercharged model, but the XJ Sentinel does get the better brakes from the supercharged model.