1974 Jaguar E-type Roadster V-12 on 2040-cars

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Jaguar F-Pace shows off its production pelt for first time

We're no strangers to the Jaguar F-Pace, having spotted the production mules for the aristocratic English brand's first crossover on a few different occasions. Today, though, we get not only our first time look at the car in production sheetmetal, but also confirmation that the production model won't stray far from the sexy C-X17 Concept. Riding atop the same aluminum platform that underpins the already acclaimed XE sedan, the F-Pace follows the example set by the Range Rover Evoque, offering up almost a chopped-top look, particularly near the rear, where the plunging roofline and high beltline meet. That said, similarities to products from sister company Land Rover look to be mere coincidences, as the sheetmetal being shown appears all Jag. There's a prominent, snout-like grille that's flanked by a pair of predatory, LED-accented headlights. In back, the small rear window crowns a pair of thin, wraparound taillights. Think XE, with small influences from the F-Type for these units. As for what hides underneath those muscular body panels, our spies are predicting the standard allotment of Jag goodness. That means a gas-powered 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder and a 3.0-liter, supercharged V6, both borrowed from the XE/XF to start, before diesel and hybrid powertrains roll out. Naturally, all-wheel drive will be offered, although the F-Pace should also arrive sporting rear-wheel drive. And while we've got little to go on to believe it's happening, we're still hoping for an F-Pace R, complete with blown 5.0-liter V8. We suspect we'll be waiting on that one for awhile, though. You, though, don't have to wait to check out our spy snaps of the newest Jag in the litter. Check out our photos of the F-Pace, available up top.

Jaguar Heritage to auction off part of its classic-car collection

A few years back it was reported that Jaguar Land Rover had purchased the James Hull classic car collection in its entirety. The collection is beyond significant, as it was at the time of sale the biggest single collection of British cars in the world and the largest private car collection in the UK. Consisting of 543 cars, it ranged from the mundane to the obscure, including some extremely rare prototypes. There were 130 Jaguars, for example, from the C-type to the D-type to the XKSS. When the cars were put up for sale in 2014, the asking price was a not-insubstantial $170 million. JLR didn't reveal how much it spent to buy the cars, but now it seems the carmaker is about to recoup some of those costs. At least 50 cars from the collection will be sold by auction house Brightwells, as part of the Affordable Classics at Bicester sale on March 21; some reports have said JLR would be eventually offloading as many as 100 cars. Looking at the listing, there are some definite gems in there. Not all cars are British, as there are Citroens, Mercedes-Benzes, a Fiat and a Goggomobil. Jaguars and Land Rovers are notably absent from Brightwells' listing, which we take as a clue that the sale will consist of cars not crucial to JLR's wellbeing and heritage. That said, for a lover of British cars there's a possibility to grab something truly interesting: For example, the Reliant Scimitar Ferguson 4x4 Prototype must be worth preserving. A 4WD pioneer also known for Massey-Ferguson tractors, Ferguson fitted its system in Jensens as well as a prototype 4WD Mustang in the 1960s. The fiberglass-bodied Reliant sports car is an interesting sidenote in Ferguson's history. Then there's a Vauxhall Chevette 2300 HS, which is a veritable rally-bred RWD hot hatch in comparison to the American market Chevrolet Chevette, its distant relative. On the hot hatch front, there are also Metro and Maestro turbos, which offer plenty of poke in a light, boxy body. Or if you view the internet's popular "Worst Cars Ever Made" lists as shopping lists, you could build your own collection of slightly dodgy cars: Start with the unfortunate-looking Vanden Plas Allegro, continue to the malaise-tastic Morris Ital Camper, and finish it off with a late-model Lada Riva wagon from the mid-1990s. Some cars are in tip-top shape, and some are best seen as restoration projects, like the very pretty Borgward Isabella coupe from 1960.

2014 Jaguar XJL AWD 3.0

A bit of British nobility floods the senses when piloting the 2014 Jaguar XJ. It's an emotional rush, a perception based on physical surroundings that influence the mind in much the same manner that a stein of pilsner tastes best when consumed in a German beer garden and no sand is softer than that found on a warm Caribbean beach. Jaguar has been assembling cars for nearly 100 years, and few automakers are as equally adept at capturing aristocracy and timelessness within the rich cabins of their luxury offerings.
Jaguar would have no concern if it were the only game in town, but that's far from the truth. The premium full-size luxury segment, which includes vehicles hovering just under or at the six-figure mark, is a contentious grouping that includes the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS, Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Porsche Panamera. Each of those brings its own game to the battle, and none are easy to dismiss.
To better understand the British perspective and evaluate its latest offering on a land without royalty, I recently spent a week with a long-wheelbase, all-wheel-drive Jaguar XJ in Southern California.