Autoblog

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Arden Jaguar XF AJ 21.

Last month, we got a sneak peak at Arden's interpretation of the Jaguar XF, with its aggressive front fascia, LED running lights and rear brake cooling ducts integrated into the side skirts. Now, we've got the official details on the AJ 21 and as is almost always the case, the mods are hardly skin-deep.

The top of the line, supercharged V8 engine has been stroked out from 4.2- to 4.5-liters, with output cresting the 500 hp mark. To make better use of those additional ponies, Arden developed a sports suspension to keeps things planted at speed, while 21-inch "Sportline" wheels are up to the task of combining a bit of style with a dose of functionality. Arden is developing packages for the entire range of XFs, but if we had to choose one, this is it.


[Source: Arden via WCF]

For Jaguar fans, the one car that's been missing from the lineup for far too long is a direct replacement for the legendary E-Type. While Jaguar tried to compete on volume with Mercedes and BMW by producing cars like the S-Type and X-Type, concepts like the 2000 F-Type were left to whither on the vine. Now that Jaguar is under new management from the sub-continent, things are starting to change. A new, smaller sports car along the lines of the F-Type now seems to be set to arrive, perhaps as soon as 2012. Unlike the concept that looked like a smaller version of the previous generation XK, the production roadster is likely to take cues from new Jags, including the recently launched XF and the upcoming XJ. Power is expected to be provided by a variant of the current 3.0-liter Duratec, and while a turbocharged, direct-injected V6 variant of Ford's EcoBoost might not be out the question, it remains highly unlikely. The other question would be the name. Now that Jaguar has a pattern with XF, XK and XJ, it seems unlikely the new roadster will get badged as an F-Type. Do we hear XD, hearkening back to the old D-type?

[Source: Road & Track]

The sale of Jaguar and Land Rover to Tata means that the two British marques will have to look elsewhere for the parts normally supplied by Ford. Following the news that Daimler could be a supplier to both automakers comes word from Dr. Z himself that a deal is a distinct possibility.

Daimler holds a seven-percent stake in Tata Motors, which could make an easy case for Mercedes to supply Jag and L.R. with the necessary components to wean them off of Ford. Dieter Zetsche told Auto Motor und Sport that, "If Ratan Tata approaches us regarding the supply of components, we would be open to talks." AMG-powered XF, anyone?

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

Click above for a gallery of the Loder1899 Jaguar XF.

Unlikely the atrocity that Galpin performed on the new Jaguar XF, the German tuners at Loder1899 recognized the cat's strong points and built a set of tasteful mods around it. The package from Loder comes equipped with a new front bumper, rear diffuser and trunk lid wing, a suspension setup that lowers the XF by 35mm and a choice of either 20- or 21-inch rollers. Across the pond, buyers can opt for the 2.7-liter V6 diesel, so Loder has employed a few tweaks on the oilburner to increase output to 249 hp (from 207) and torque to 385 lb.-ft. All that kit will cost you a cool 8,000 euro in Germany, not including assembly and painting. Hit the jump for the full press release.


[Source: Loder1899 via WCF]

In what seems like an official bookend to the sale of Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford to Tata, the European Union, like the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, has given its official seal of approval to the deal. The E.U. had received no complaints regarding the impending purchase, so approval of the $2.3 billion deal had been expected. In fact, the "simplified procedure" used by the European Commission has never ended up with anything but acceptance. No more speed bumps appear ahead of the Indian automaker, which previously had specialized in small and inexpensive vehicles. Now that these formalities are over and done with, hopefully we can simply look forward to what an injection of cash can do to the two classic British marques.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

What a world we live in when an Indian company needs US government approval to buy two British companies. No sweat off of Tata's brow, though, as federal antitrust regulators cleared the sale of Jaguar and Land Rover, which Ford is selling to the Indian automaker. The transaction was reviewed by the US Federal Trade Commission to ensure no antitrust issues would arise, but the procedural review ultimately yielded no cause to block the sale. Congratulations, Tata.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

Geoff Polites, who's stewardship of Land Rover and Jaguar improved the health of both properties, has succumbed after a long illness. Polites led Jaguar and Land Rover back to collective profitability, and kept a steady hand on the helm during the upheaval surrounding the sale to Tata a month ago. While rumors swirled and pundits punned, it was Polites leadership that kept Jaguar and Land Rover on an even keel, with heads down and concentrating, instead of freaking out. Polites spent 40 years in the automotive business, and rose to CEO at Jaguar Land Rover in 2005. Both brands have strong, stylish product portfolios with name cachet, and David Smith, CFO of Jaguar Land Rover will step in as acting CEO for now. Press release after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Click above for gallery of 1994 Jaguar XJ220 on eBay Motors

It's hard to imagine Jaguar ever producing a supercar considering its current sad state of sales, but it did just that back in the early '90s when our walls were plastered with posters of the Ferrari F40, Lamborghini Diablo and this, the Jaguar XJ220. In our humble estimation, the XJ220 is one of the most gorgeous supercars ever designed, and rather than relying on eight or twelve cylinders like its Italian competition, the XJ220 reached 200+ mph using a twin-turbocharged 3.5L V6 producing 550 horsepower and 473 pound-feet of torque. Unfortunately, no one ever got one up to 220 mph to validate the car's nomenclature. The XJ220 went on the market in 1992 with a base price of $650,000 and only 281 were ever made. One of those examples from 1994 is up for auction on eBay Motors with a starting bid of $300,000. Bathed in a rich-looking LeMans blue paint job, this example has only 3,092 miles on its odometer, though it appears to have a few items that need attention. One of the wheel center caps is missing, the passenger side headlight cover is off, and is that an aftermarket stereo in there? The rest of the car looks as fresh as the day it was built. We doubt Jaguar will be returning to the supercar ring with a contender anytime soon, but this eBay Motors auction reminds us of a time when Jaguar stood toe-to-toe with the giants. Thanks for the tip, Kevin!


[Source: eBay Motors]

It's been a quiet week in Cardom, so for Autoblog Podcast #92 we take time to address some of the excellent emails we've gotten at our new podcast at autoblog dot com address. Feel free to send in questions, comments, SHO-centric ribbing, whatever! We can't promise that it will make it onto the 'cast, but it just might. Before we dive into the binary mailbag, we discuss some of the vehicles that we've been sampling - so basically Damon talks about what he's been hooning around in at track events. Thanks for your 57 minutes this week!

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Close your eyes, sit back and imagine you're being chauffeured around town. Now open your eyes, and say what luxury conveyance you pictured your ride to be. The editors of The Chauffeur magazine – who we'd all imagine are named Jeeves or Somethingsworth – have made their selections, naming the Jaguar XJ long wheelbase and Lexus LS600hL as their top picks for Chauffeur Car of the Year 2008.

The Jaguar beat out the Volvo S80, Mercedes E, Chrysler 300C and VW Phaeton, which were nominated alongside it in the £25-£50k category. Up one class in the £50-100k segment, the Lexus beat out a selection of Europe's finest in the Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7-Series and Audi A8. No word yet on the final choice for the top category, but with the Rolls-Royce Phantom, Bentley Continental Flying Spur and Maybach 62 all nominated, we'd be hard pressed to pick one ourselves (hint: it wouldn't be the Maybach). Chauffeur mag was quick to point out that the dedicated chauffeur programs offered by both Jaguar and Lexus scored both the long-wheelbase luxury sedans extra points in their deliberations. Follow the jump to read the press releases from Jaguar and Lexus.

[Sources: Jaguar and Lexus]