Barry Goldwater's one-off George Barris 1953 Jaguar XK120 - Click above for high-res image gallery
Long before Barry Goldwater would suffer a crushing defeat at the hands of Lyndon B. Johnson in the 1964 presidential election, the politician apparently had a taste for wildly customized cars. Unsatisfied with the exquisite design of his 1953 Jaguar XK120, Goldwater commissioned the legendary George Barris to turn the car into something special. Barris took the time to work in headlight and tailfin assemblies from a '53 Buick, along with a Lincoln Continental-style spare tire carrier and a shortened Cadillac rear bumper. Inside, the dash was reworked in unfinished aluminum, complete with an array of aeronautical gauges. We're quite sure we prefer the bog-standard XK120's sheetmetal, but this car's interesting history and one-off nature is hard to ignore.
The car has spent the last 20 years of its life tucked away in a California shop and has emerged via the glory of eBay Motors. The body has weathered the years between 1953 and now without too much wear and tear, though the interior has moved on to the great beyond. The car's 3.5-liter, DOHC I6 is still in place, as are all of those oddball gauges. The car is available in Newport Beach, California with its reserve not met at $15,639 at the time of writing. If you want it, hop on over to eBay and get to clicking. There are only four days left on the auction right now.
2010 Jaguar XF Supercharged- Click above for high-res image gallery
Jaguar's new 5.0-liter V8 has seen its fair share of praise since its introduction, but even the best petrol mill is worthless without fuel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website indicates that 5,048 of the automaker's 2010 and 2011 XF and XK models equipped with the 5.0-liter engine are being recalled for a faulty fuel pump relay.
The problem can reportedly occur if the in-tank electronic fuel pump isn't properly activated when the fuel pump relay is energized at vehicle start-up. When this happens, the engine could receive inadequate amounts of fuel, resulting in the vehicle abruptly stalling with little or no warning, which would potentially result in an unscheduled (is there another kind?) accident.
Beginning August 30 of this year (or possibly earlier) owners of affected vehicles can simply take their faulty cat to the nearest Jaguar store for a free software update that should fix the issue. Hit the jump to read over the NHTSA press release.
Tata Motors chief executive Carl-Peter Forster has acknowledged that Jaguar needs a smaller, higher-volume vehicle and it appears that just such a car is already under development. Unlike the less-than-stellar X-Type which was based on the second-generation Ford Mondeo, the new car should actually be a real Jaguar.
Jaguar is reportedly working on a new modular aluminum platform that would be shared between the new smaller car, the mid-sized XF and the next-generation XK. In renderings posted by AutoExpress at least, the baby Jag bears a strong resemblance to the XF but with curvier rear haunches and XJ-style taillamps. Of course, what the real thing will ultimately look like is anyone's guess.
Power will likely come from downsized and boosted four-cylinder gas and diesel engines, with the current 3.0-liter diesel V6 as a range-topper. Also look for a hybrid to enter the mix. All of this will help Jaguar meet the new EU CO2 emissions limits once the new smaller Jaguar debuts, which could happen as soon as soon as 2012.
Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!
Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid, Chris Paukert and Dan Roth are the crew for Episode #187 of the Autoblog Podcast. We cover Lamborghini rumors, the new Ford Explorer's fuel economy with its rumored EcoBoost powertrain, the rumors swirling around the possibility that the Wall Street Journal printed an article that was a plant from Toyota, a sports car based on the Nissan Leaf, and the seemingly insatiable appetite for German premium cars. We hit your feedback and questions before throwing in the towel at the hour and a half mark. Thanks for listening, see you next time!
Autoblog Podcast #187 - Lamborghini rumors, Explorer economy, media plants, a sporty Leaf and premium Germans
Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Joystiq Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly
Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)
Review the show in iTunes and take our survey
Queen Elizabeth II's 1984 Daimler Double Six Long-Wheelbase Saloon - Click above for high-res image gallery
The list of accolades and honorifics attributed to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II goes on for miles. Not only is she the Queen of England, Great Britain and the United Kingdom - the longest-serving monarch in their respective histories, at that - but she's also the reigning queen of an additional 15 sovereign nations and the head of state for 54 members of the commonwealth. She's head of the Church of England, titular commander-in-chief of the British Armed Forces, Lord High Admiral of the Royal Navy and, for some strange reason, Admiral of Nebraska. (Seriously. Look it up.) Her Majesty is also a keen driver, having driven ambulances during the Second World War, known to change tires on her own (how many monarchs can say that?) and is still seen driving herself around on occasion. And for several years, this was her car.
This Daimler Double Six Long-Wheelbase Saloon (the upscale version of the Jaguar XJ12) was built by Jaguar for Her Majesty's use in 1984. Before its delivery to Buckingham Palace, it underwent over 2,000 miles of testing to iron out any kinks, after which it became the Queen's personal vehicle, transporting her an enumerable dignitaries - princes, princesses and prime ministers - to various events and in between palaces and estates across the kingdom. Elizabeth II was known to drive it herself much of the time, blissfully immune as she is to any traffic offenses.
The specially built luxury saloon was equipped with a long list of special features, from special communications systems and flashing lights to a rear bench requested by the Queen to accommodate her pet dogs. During its service and ever since, it's been maintained exclusively by Jaguar and the royally-appointed garage, Guy Salmons in Royal Ascot Berkshire, undergoing regular VIP maintenance to keep it in as-new condition. Following its retirement from active service, it was returned to the Jaguar Heritage Museum Browns Lane where it has remained since.
Jaguar is now putting it up for auction at the hands of RM Auctions during Pebble Beach weekend in Monterey, California. It's the first time a royal limousine has been offered for sale publicly in the United States, and, as Jaguar says it will never offer another again, very well may be the last. At least, until Bentley sells off any of those bio-fueled limos. Follow the jump for full details in the press release, and check out the images in the gallery below for a closer look.
With the all the news coming out of Jaguar, it's obvious its Indian parents are intent on making the leaping cat a credible competitor to the world's luxury automakers. To wit: not only has Jag green-lit the XE - a next-generation XK-based competitor to the Porsche Boxster - it ready to take the fight to the BMW 3 Series in the form of a reborn X-Type.
While the previous Mondeo-based X-Type fared poorly during its run, Tata Motor's chief executive, Carl-Peter Forster, told Automobilwoche that in order for the British brand to compete on a global scale, a smaller sedan is a requirement. To that end, a new sedan is under development to slot in below the XF, likely utilizing a new aluminum architecture based on its next-generation sedan.
In addition to X-Type replacement and the new, smaller coupe - rumored to arrive in 2012 - Forster says that work is underway on a long-wheelbase version of the XF for the Chinese market and a wagon version of Jag's mid-size sedan is slated for sale in Europe (XFR estate, anyone?).
On the Land Rover front, the recently revealed Evoque is the first of three new products to debut in the next five years, including an all-new Freelander with seating for seven and a revised Defender which is set to arrive in 2015.
2011 Jaguar XJ - Click above for high-res image gallery
Ford spent a fortune to buy Jaguar in 1989 and Land Rover in 2000, then spent billions on each of them getting them into fighting shape. Tata spent billions to buy JLR in 2008, and has since been raising and spending billions to retain their fighting shape and get them even fitter. The Indian firm is planning a funding round via shares, equity and the like in order to scare up another $1 billion.
Tata is a massive conglomerate and the funds will go to reducing the company's overall debt-to-equity ratio, but the number we were most interested in was £600 million pounds - almost the entire amount of the funding round, $908 million. That's the amount Tata says it will spend this year on new product development at at JLR.
In May we were told that Tata would invest £1 billion per year on JLR, but we won't quibble about being short £400 million for now with the Evoque, a meaner XKR, an XE and maybe also an F-Type being forged. So even if the Ford and Tata initial experience with JLR sound familiar, we give Tata credit: for all those billions they're spending, there isn't an X-Type in sight.
Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!
Chris Shunk, Alex Nunez, Chris Paukert and Dan Roth wrap up the 4th of July long weekend with Episode #185 of the Autoblog Podcast. Topics are Toyota's valve-spring recall, a new engine in the Mercedes CL-Class, the Bugatti Veyron's speed record, and the newly teased Volvo V60 Wagon. We go off on a Saab tangent and finish up by responding to your questions before wrapping at an hour and twenty minutes. Thanks for listening, see you next time!
Autoblog Podcast #185 - Valve Springs, Speed Records, Wagons and Tangents
Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Joystiq Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly
Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)
Review the show in iTunes and take our survey
234 years in, how has it worked out? We plucked a couple vehicles currently in the Autoblog Garage that represent the opposing sides of the argument and make a case for each. Hit the jump, vote for your favorite, and then tell us what you think in the comments.
As Tata Motors continues to shovel money into the expansion of the Jaguar and Land Rover marques, expect to see more and more new products from the two brands over the next few years. We've already seen the new Evoque, Land Rover's small crossover, and new reports state that Jaguar's new small sports car will be revealed in concept form at next year's Geneva Motor Show.
These rumblings come right on the heels of Jaguar reportedly saying that it will produce a version of the F-Type sports car, though it's still unclear if the Geneva-bound XE is a different model altogether. According to Inside Line, the XE will be based on a shortened version of the next-generation XK architecture. If the concept stays true to most of Jaguar's recent designs, it should be quite eye-catching, as well.
We fully expect more and more details to drop about the new XE in the coming months, so stay tuned for updates.
And here we nearly forgot it was Jaguar's birthday. Thankfully, the well-heeled Brits saw fit to remind us with a special package for its sporty XKR coupe, fittingly called the XKR 75. According to Jaguar, this model will "deliver a combination of enhanced performance, superb chassis and steering control and grip levels to inspire the driving enthusiast to explore the true potential of the XKR's capabilities."
To that end, Jaguar's engineers have squeezed 530 horsepower (a useful 20-horse improvement over the standard XKR) and 483 pound-feet of torque from the marque's latest supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine. That's sufficient power to launch the XKR 75 to 60 miles per hour in just 4.4 seconds and on to a governed top speed of 174 mph.
Exterior updates include a new Stratus Grey finish, red brake calipers that stand in contrast to the 20-inch gloss Vortex forged lightweight alloys with a dark technical finish and diamond turn. An optional body graphic that runs from the front bumper to the rear haunches rounds out the package.
Inside, you'll be greeted with charcoal leather dressed up with ivory stitching. The dash and center console are finished in gloss piano black and the headliner is Jet suedecloth, whatever that is. In any case,an appropriate 75 of these special edition models are planned. The car will debut at the upcoming Goodwood Festival of Speed and will be made available to order from July 2010 in the UK priced from £85,500.
It's become a tradition for us here at Autoblog to head down to Beverly Hills every Father's Day for the annual Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance. There's always an eclectic collection of cars, and the people who come to the free event can be entertaining to watch as well.
This year, the show recognized the 75th anniversary of Jaguar, and the British marque brought out an impressive display of cars. The company's early years were well-represented, with a Jaguar SS 100 from the Petersen Automotive Museum in addition to the XK120, XK140 and XK150. The legendary E-Type was on hand in abundance, including a semi-lightweight racing model. Add to that an XJ220 supercar, the XKR featured in Die Another Day, and even the XK180 concept car. Without a doubt, however, our favorite Jag at the show was a beautiful 1956 D-Type in a classic British Racing Green livery.
Some other highlights of the show included the 1948 Norman Timbs Special that made its debut at Amelia Island earlier this year, as well as the controversial one-of-one Tucker Torpedo Convertible. You can see these and more in our gallery of live photos below.
One of the most recognizable movie cars of recent years is being offered up for sale on eBay Motors this week. Austin Powers' "shagadelic" Jaguar E-Type roadster first appeared in the original 1997 picture featuring Mike Myers as the thawed-out British secret agent.
This particular machine was actually used as a promotional vehicle for the first film, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. In addition to the custom paint job, a specially-made red top and red, white and blue interior have been fitted. The car still has the original powertrain, but the listing doesn't include the mileage.If you simply must have the Shaguar, you can make it yours by surrendering the Buy It Now price of $59,900. The current bid of $24,550 sits below the seller's reserve.
2010 Jaguar XKR Goodwood Special - Click above for high-res image gallery
Jaguar has reportedly confirmed that a more powerful, more vicious version of the XKR will go into production later this year. According to Autocar, the car is based off of the XKR Goodwood Special (pictured), and has already lapped the Nürburgring in 7 minutes, 58 seconds during testing. Not bad at all.
Official details on powertrain and chassis upgrades haven't been revealed just yet, but if the Goodwood Special XKR is anything to go on, expect the supercharged 5.0-liter V8 to get a slight boost in power (for reference, the lime green XKR cranked out 530 horsepower and 515 pound-feet of torque), as well as a lowered suspension, tweaked exhaust and larger wheels. What's more, Jaguar has confirmed that this new XKR will have a top speed of at least 186 miles per hour (the all-important 300-kph mark in Germany).
Our only request: Keep the lime green paint in check. The Fiesta isn't the only car that can pull off citrus.
Peugeot 908 HDi qualifying for Le Mans 2010 - Click above for high-res image gallery
Qualifying for the 24 Hours of Le Mans is getting quite predictable, with the big question being which of the Peugeot 908s will come out on top. After three timed sessions over two days, the No. 3 Peugeot of Pedro Lamy, Sebastien Bourdais and Simon Pagenaud came was quickest as the four French diesels filled the first two rows on the grid. Right behind them are the three factory Audi R15+ TDIs and then the two Aston Martin-Lolas.
Down the field in the LMP2 ranks, the Honda powered ARX-01c campaigned by UK-based Strakka racing lapped the eight-mile circuit 1.46 seconds faster than a similar car being run by defending American Le Mans Series champs Highcroft Racing. 2010 is the final year of eligibility for the GT1 class at Le Mans and Aston Martin hopes to go out in style. The DBR9 driven by Tomas Enge, Christoph Nygaard and Peter Kox edged out a pair of Ford GTs and the ex-factory GT1 Corvettes.
In GT2, ALMS regulars ruled the roost. The No.82 Risi Ferrari ran fastest but its time was disallowed because of an unknown technical infraction. As a result, the two Corvette C6.Rs will lead the GT2 field to the green flag with Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta and Emmanuel Collard on the pole. Unfortunately for the JaguarRSR team, the cool green-and-black leaping cat livery has not translated into much speed with the XKR finishing dead last in qualifying, nearly 13 seconds slower per lap than the lead Vette. The green flag falls at 3PM CET on Saturday, so stay tuned.
2010 Jaguar XFR - click above for high-res image gallery
When our man Lieberman drove the 2010 Jaguar XF Supercharged earlier this year, he came to the conclusion that of all the models in the XF range, the mid-grade Supercharged with its 470-horsepower V8 was the one to have, if you're buying. After all, at a relatively modest $68,000, it's a sexy sleeper with enough high-powered thrills to keep you happy while still being everyday-drivable and easily tamed. We wholeheartedly agree with our dear Jonny in this conclusion, and if we had never experienced this top-rung XFR, we'd be perfectly thrilled with our purchase.
But we have driven the XFR - once in France and now again in America - and asking us to overlook either experience when considering the XF range simply isn't going to happen. The R makes too much of an impression.
Yes, the Supercharged may be the "just right" Goldilocks model in the XF lineup, but the XFR is Papa Bear. That 'R' badge will cost you an extra $12,000, which is undoubtedly a hefty sum to pay when you consider that it only produces 40 more horsepower than the Supercharged. Thus, it's easy to write off the XFR as unnecessary or overzealous, but its sharper set of chops are able to handle so much more than lukewarm porridge. This car is a real honey, finances be damned! Follow the jump to find out why.
Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!
We solicited your questions again for Episode #179 of the Autoblog Podcast, and then Chris, Sam, and Dan proceeded to answer them. News topics we cover are the rumors (now confirmed) of Mercury's closure, Elon Musk's lack of liquidity, the final Zonda, a General Motors IPO, and Nissan Juke pricing. Sprinkled in there, of course, are your questions and comments from our newly-interactive post.
Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Joystiq Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly
Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)
Review the show in iTunes and take our survey
Tata has its eyes on China. The Indian automaker has announced plans to build up to 40,000 Jaguar and Land Rover models in the People 's Republic as part of its plan to target emerging markets. So far, there's no word on exactly when Tata plans to open the doors on new production facilities or exactly where the factories will be located, but it's clear that the company wants a taste of all of the new money cropping up in China as wealth continues to migrate from the West.
Evidently, Land Rover will be the first of the two brands to be built in the country. Last year, around 208,197 globe-roaming SUVs found their way into the hands of Chinese buyers - around eight percent of total Land Rover sales. Tata is hoping that lowering production costs and increasing supply will help that number swell considerably. From there, Jaguar won't be too far behind.
Of course, the dark side of the news is that once the Chinese facilities go live, Tata will then shut down one of its two British plants. So far, it hasn't mentioned which will get the boot.
Jaguar F-Type concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
Now that Jaguar is safely secured under the financial blanket of Tata Motors, the automaker is becoming more ambitious in its efforts to expand its model range. Tata has promised a yearly investment of £1 billion for the next five years, which means Jaguar will have the funding it needs to get new products cranked out. In talking with Auto Express, Jaguar Land Rover boss Carl-Peter Forster has reportedly confirmed that a few new models are in the pipeline, including the F-Type sports car, which we saw in concept form back in 2000 (pictured above).
When will a finished F-Type be on the road? Your guess is as good as ours, but due to Jaguar having just refreshed its entire model range within the last few years, we'd assume that the ball is indeed rolling on this new sportster.
Sometimes we can't help but lament the relative lack of touring car racing in North America. Sure, there are a handful of series, but they don't enjoy nearly the popularity that they do overseas, including in England (BTCC), Europe (WTCC) and Australia (V8 Supercars). Even the Belgian Touring Car Series is looking increasingly appetizing with some of the latest entries to join the field.
Following the release of the recent release of the Volvo S60 touring car, we've just received word of a purpose-built tin-top Jaguar XF, also destined for the Belgian series. The XF Silhouette racer is based on the same frame that underpinned the previous X-Type touring car, but reportedly benefits from some major upgrades, including (obviously) updated bodywork and a new 3.5-liter V6 engine. Driving duties will reportedly be undertaken by Albert Thirty, who debuted in the series earlier this year behind the wheel of the Kia Pro_Cee'd Silhouette racer. Thanks for tip, Bastien!
