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  • Tata Confirms It Will Close Jaguar Or Land Rover Plant

    Tata Confirms It Will Close Jaguar Or Land Rover Plant September 24th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran's avatar Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, September 24th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 5 Comments

    Tata Confirms It Will Close Jaguar Or Land Rover Plant

    Despite Jaguar unveiling stunning new models such as the 2010 XF and XK range, and sales of the Range Rover luxury SUV still going strong, the Jaguar Land Rover duo was still unable to turn a profit for 2008, even coming from a positive start to the year, and 2009 looks to be no different.

    Tata, parent company to the premium British brands, remains confident that both will eventually be profitable but admits drastic cutbacks need to be implemented. Today, the Indian conglomerate confirmed that it will close one of the three Jaguar Land Rover assembly plants in the UK by 2014 in a bid to move the money-losing British unit into profitability.

    ... Despite Jaguar unveiling stunning new models such as the 2010 XF and XK range, and sales of the Range Rover luxury SUV still going strong, the Jaguar Land Rover duo was still unable to turn a profit for 2008, even coming from a positive start to the year, and 2009 looks to be no different. Tata, parent company to the premium British brands, remains confident that both will eventually be profitable but admits drastic cutbacks need to be implemented. Today, the Indian conglomerate confirmed that it will close one of the three Jaguar Land Rover assembly plants in the UK by 2014 in a bid to move the money-losing British unit into profitability. No final decision has been made but the company stated that it will either close a factory in Castle Bromwich, which makes Jaguars, or a site in Solihull, which makes Land Rover models. The bean-counters are currently reviewing which plant should be closed and are expected to make a decision by the first half of next year. The Castle Bromwich site employs around 2,000 staff while Solihull makes do with almost 5,000. It’s not all bad news as Tata will essentially be consolidating the two plants into one, although job losses will be significant. Furthermore, Tata has stated that there will be no compulsory layoffs and new jobs will be created at the Halewood factory in 2011 when its starts building the upcoming 2012 Range Rover LRX. [AutoNews, sub req'd] Read More

  • Tata: All future Jaguar and Land Rover models will feature aluminum bodies

    Tata: All future Jaguar and Land Rover models will feature aluminum bodies August 3rd, 2009 ByKenneth Hall Kenneth Hall, Author, August 3rd, 2009 Kenneth Hall 6 Comments

    Tata: All future Jaguar and Land Rover models will feature aluminum bodies Jaguar is known for its use of aluminum in the construction of some of its models, and the weight and dynamic advantages that this approach offers compared to traditional steel-bodied automobiles. Now, it has been revealed by Tata Motors chairman Ratan Tata that all future Jaguar and Land Rover models will make use of aluminum in their bodies - a move that will help Jaguar and Land Rover models keep weight down and improve mileage and efficiency figures.

    Tata Motors, which owns Jaguar and Land Rover, revealed the information through Ratan Tata's comments in the company's annual report. The news comes following massive losses for the Jaguar... Jaguar is known for its use of aluminum in the construction of some of its models, and the weight and dynamic advantages that this approach offers compared to traditional steel-bodied automobiles. Now, it has been revealed by Tata Motors chairman Ratan Tata that all future Jaguar and Land Rover models will make use of aluminum in their bodies - a move that will help Jaguar and Land Rover models keep weight down and improve mileage and efficiency figures. Tata Motors, which owns Jaguar and Land Rover, revealed the information through Ratan Tata's comments in the company's annual report. The news comes following massive losses for the Jaguar and Land Rover duo in 2008, with numbers hovering around the negative £673.4 million ($1.1 billion) mark. These losses were largely attributed to high development costs for new models, as well as the poor luxury car market, but vehicle production costs would also have been a factor. The use of aluminum in the construction of cars is certainly more expensive than using steel, but Jaguar and Land Rover will be banking on the efficiency gains that the material affords to woo a more environmentally-conscious public in the future. Jaguar has already made extensive use of aluminum in the construction of the XJ and XK models. As revealed to Autocar by Jaguar senior engineer Andrew Tarpey, “an all-aluminum body is the foundation for the major vehicle attributes of safety, driving dynamics and performance", and that more extensive use of the material will allow the designers to "produce a lightweight, efficient body structure with fewer parts and joints, meaning a stiffer body".2010 Jaguar XKR2010 Jaguar XJ Read More

  • Build your own Jaguar XJ with new configurator

    Build your own Jaguar XJ with new configurator August 1st, 2009 ByKenneth Hall Kenneth Hall, Author, August 1st, 2009 Kenneth Hall 4 Comments

    Build your own Jaguar XJ with new configurator Jaguar has launched a dedicated website for its new 2010 XJ sedan, with a number of interesting features to keep potential customers and the curious interested in the car. The site showcases the design and engineering elements what went into creating the svelte new Jaguar, and includes a configuration tool to build up your own personal XJ to your liking.

    It includes the current range of six models, starting with the basic 5.0-liter V8 gasoline short-wheelbase model and topping out with the long-wheelbase Supersport model powered by a 510hp supercharged 5.0-liter V8.

    The new XJ can be ordered right now in the U.S., with prices starting from... Jaguar has launched a dedicated website for its new 2010 XJ sedan, with a number of interesting features to keep potential customers and the curious interested in the car. The site showcases the design and engineering elements what went into creating the svelte new Jaguar, and includes a configuration tool to build up your own personal XJ to your liking. It includes the current range of six models, starting with the basic 5.0-liter V8 gasoline short-wheelbase model and topping out with the long-wheelbase Supersport model powered by a 510hp supercharged 5.0-liter V8. The new XJ can be ordered right now in the U.S., with prices starting from an MSRP of $72,500 for the base 5.0-liter V8, $87,500 for the XJ Supercharged and from $112,000 for the XJ Supersport. Click here to start building your own XJ.2010 Jaguar XJ Read More

  • Report: Jaguar-Land Rover posts $1.1 billion loss for 2008

    Report: Jaguar-Land Rover posts $1.1 billion loss for 2008 July 27th, 2009 ByKenneth Hall Kenneth Hall, Author, July 27th, 2009 Kenneth Hall 3 Comments

    Report: Jaguar-Land Rover posts $1.1 billion loss for 2008 Despite Jaguar unveiling stunning new models such as the new XF and sales of the Range Rover luxury SUV still going strong, the Jaguar-Land Rover duo were still unable to turn a profit for 2008, even coming from a positive start to the year. The lack of profits is being blamed on the global recession stunting growth in the sale of luxury cars, and now for the first time we get a look as to how hard the recession has actually hit the British automakers.

    According to a report from the Financial Times, Jaguar-Land Rover lost £673.4 million ($1.1 billion) for the 2008 fiscal year, while for the same period in 2007 it conversely managed to make... Despite Jaguar unveiling stunning new models such as the new XF and sales of the Range Rover luxury SUV still going strong, the Jaguar-Land Rover duo were still unable to turn a profit for 2008, even coming from a positive start to the year. The lack of profits is being blamed on the global recession stunting growth in the sale of luxury cars, and now for the first time we get a look as to how hard the recession has actually hit the British automakers. According to a report from the Financial Times, Jaguar-Land Rover lost £673.4 million ($1.1 billion) for the 2008 fiscal year, while for the same period in 2007 it conversely managed to make a profit of £641.5 million ($1.05 billion), resulting in a near 200% downward swing in profit levels. In the meantime, Jaguar-Land Rover and its Indian owner Tata Motors have applied for a loan from the U.K. government, and should the talks between Jaguar-Land Rover and the government result in a short-term loan, then it will see a cash injection into the brand of around £175 million ($288 million). Reportedly, the government and Tata are in disagreement about the term of the loan, with Tata requesting a 12-month loan and the government insisting on a 6-month loan and a choice in at least some of the company's board members. While Jaguar's fortunes appear to be flagging, massive expenditures spent on developing the two new XF and XJ models will have been spent throughout 2008, and with the two models finally set to hit dealerships Jaguar may yet see a turnaround in its bottom line in the next couple of years. Read More

  • Jaguar releases mega-gallery for 2010 XJ saloon

    Jaguar releases mega-gallery for 2010 XJ saloon July 12th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, July 12th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 20 Comments

    Jaguar releases mega-gallery for 2010 XJ saloon Though the current Jaguar XJ is only about 7 years old - a pretty typical vehicle lifespan - the body styling is derivative of the same basic shape that's been around since the 1970s, causing many to think the car lacked technical sophistication despite an all-aluminum chassis and an impressive spec sheet. Today, after several leaked images were revealed yesterday, Jaguar has released official images and information for its all-new, redesigned 2010 Jaguar XJ.

    Borrowing traits from the new Jaguar aesthetic first demonstrated on the XF sedan, the 2010 XJ is definitely not stuck in the past. Details reminiscent of the Aston Martin Rapide are... Though the current Jaguar XJ is only about 7 years old - a pretty typical vehicle lifespan - the body styling is derivative of the same basic shape that's been around since the 1970s, causing many to think the car lacked technical sophistication despite an all-aluminum chassis and an impressive spec sheet. Today, after several leaked images were revealed yesterday, Jaguar has released official images and information for its all-new, redesigned 2010 Jaguar XJ. Borrowing traits from the new Jaguar aesthetic first demonstrated on the XF sedan, the 2010 XJ is definitely not stuck in the past. Details reminiscent of the Aston Martin Rapide are also evident, though the XJ's long lines and expansive profile are unique enough to set the car apart at a glance. A low, sloping roofline gives the XJ a four-door coupe look, while the black D-pillar gives a 'floating roof' effect from the rear, and a huge glass sunroof lets abundant light into the cabin to help improve the sense of space and counter the low-slung roof. The rear is sure to draw both fans and critics; its vertical tail lights and tall deck are love-'em or hate-'em details. Inside, the decidedly stuffy interior of the current XJ is replaced with a much more modern cockpit featuring a pop-up transmission control interface, laser-inlaid wood trim, a leather headliner and a new instrument panel that abandons traditional dials in favor of a high-definition screen that displays all the information the driver needs. A unique feature enabled by the new high-def instrument panel is a soft red glow used to indicate performance driving modes. Under the hood, the new V8 found in the XF will be the central player, though Europeans will also get a 3.0L V6 turbodiesel. The 5.0L V8 engine will be available in a naturally-aspirated base form rated at 385hp, while a supercharged variant will pump out 470hp and an even higher-performance 510hp version for the Supersport edition will also be available. Only one transmission - a paddle-shifted six-speed auto - will be available, hustling the standard XJ to 60mph in 5.4 seconds, or slingshotting the Supersport version to the same speed in a mere 4.7 seconds. Suspension dynamics are controlled via air springs, with computer-controlled settings of Normal, Dynamic and Winter. Like its predecessor, the new XJ makes extensive use of aluminum, weighing in at a mere 3,800lb in its lightest trim or up to 4,300lb at its heaviest. That's still 500-1000lbs lighter than most of the competition. The combination of light weight and a powerful engine will make for a solid performer but also for surprisingly good fuel economy if our experience with the current-gen XJ Super V8 is any indication. The new XJ can be ordered now with sales to officially open in December for early 2010 delivery. Prices start from an MSRP of $72,500 for the base 5.0L V8, $87,500 for the XJ Supercharged and from $112,000 for the XJ Supersport.2010 Jaguar XJUnveiling of the 2010 Jaguar XJ Sedan Read More

  • Plug-in hybrid option planned for Jaguar’s XE Roadster?

    Plug-in hybrid option planned for Jaguar’s XE Roadster? June 14th, 2009 ByKenneth Hall Kenneth Hall, Author, June 14th, 2009 Kenneth Hall 0 Comments

    Plug-in hybrid option planned for Jaguar’s XE Roadster? Jaguar's transfer to new ownership last year had many, from customers to dealers to industry analysts, worried about what might come of it. But Tata Motors' ownership has so far proven reassuring in its commitment to the Jaguar brand. The latest word from Ratan Tata reaffirms the vision Tata has for Jaguar, and it looks like an attractive one.

    The current economic recession has hit the globe hard in almost every sector - the car industry in particular finding it tough. Jaguar's position within the industry is similarly poor - though it has a plan for coming out the other side, and it includes a focus on a new roadster.

    Tata has previously... Jaguar's transfer to new ownership last year had many, from customers to dealers to industry analysts, worried about what might come of it. But Tata Motors' ownership has so far proven reassuring in its commitment to the Jaguar brand. The latest word from Ratan Tata reaffirms the vision Tata has for Jaguar, and it looks like an attractive one. The current economic recession has hit the globe hard in almost every sector - the car industry in particular finding it tough. Jaguar's position within the industry is similarly poor - though it has a plan for coming out the other side, and it includes a focus on a new roadster. Tata has previously confirmed that development of the roadster was well underway and that it was currently in the early stages of the design phase. According to Motor Trend, the car will miss its originally scheduled 2011 release date though the extra development time will allow Jaguar to offer a new plug-in hybrid option. The advanced drivetrain will reportedly feature a fuel-efficient three-cylinder petrol engine matched to an electric motor running on lithium-ion batteries. We already know that the British government has provided Jaguar with funding in order to speed up the development of emissions reducing technologies, and there have also been reports that the company is planning a plug-in hybrid option for its upcoming XJ flagship saloon as well. As for the roadster, expected to see Jaguar’s new 5.0L V8 engine rated at 385hp (287kW) in standard trim and 510hp (380kW) with a supercharger strapped on for the range-topping model. Even the company’s new 3.0L V6 diesel would pack enough punch to be exceptionally fun at 272hp (203kW) and 442lb-ft (600Nm) of torque, not to mention giving the expected diesel Mercedes-Benz SLK a run for its money. Jaguar recently registered the ‘C-XE’ trademark with the UK Intellectual Property Office, suggesting that the XE will appear at least in concept form. The concept version of the XF was labelled the C-XF, which means the new roadster model will likely be called the XE. Read More

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