1989 Jaguar Xjs on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Jaguar turns down offers to join V8 Supercars, questions AMG, Volvo participation

Rumors have swirled in recent weeks that Jaguar may be the next manufacturer to join the V8 Supercars racing series, made popular in Australia but now well-known in other parts of the world as well. Sadly, Jag's participation is not to be. In fact, it would be "insane," according to Jaguar Land Rover Asia Pacific Managing Director David Blackhall, for it to accept either of the two offers it has received to bring Jaguar into V8 Supercars.
Not only is Jaguar not interested in entering V8 Supercars, says Blackhall, it also fails to understand the recent entries from AMG and Volvo. "I don't know what it does for AMG to get flogged by a V8 Commodore week after week, but it's their brand, their issue. And the same thing will happen to Volvo to be honest."
Judging by Blackhall's statements to motoring.com.au, after not-so-serious consideration, the automaker decided the monetary commitment it would take to compete for wins would be more than any potential exposure would be worth, despite the fact that Jaguar has a 5.0-liter V8 to go along with what would seem to be a tailor-made rear-wheel-drive chassis. For what it's worth, one offer would have had Jaguar putting its name across an engine made by someone else, an option that was flatly turned down.

Lister is now taking offers for 200 mph LFP SUV

Lister is now taking orders for its new LFP SUV, which is a heavily tuned version of the Jaguar F-Pace. Stock, the F-Pace's supercharged V8 engine makes a handsome 380 horsepower, and the SVR version is good for 550 hp. Lister is intent on making the LFP the world's fastest SUV, so that power output has grown to 670 horsepower. The 0-62 mph sprint will only take 3.5 seconds, and Lister says the LFP will go on to reach a top speed of 200 mph. This would leave the 190 mph Lamborghini Urus in second place. While the 707-horsepower Grand Cherokee Trackhawk can hit 62mph in 3.6 seconds, its top speed is "just" 180 mph; the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is good for 176 mph and it hits 62 mph in 3.8 seconds. The Tesla Model X, on the other hand, is capable of a 2.9-second 0-62 mph blast, but it will only reach a limited top speed of 155 mph. The company says the LFP's bold top speed figure can be achieved partly thanks to extensive use of carbon fiber – however, the wording is still served with a grain of salt, as Lister says the LFP will "potentially" be the world's fastest SUV, and the claims are yet unverified. The carbon-aided weight reduction also has handling benefits for the large SUV. Lister also released these photos of the LFP, complete with interior shots depicting a more racing-inspired cabin, yet trimmed with luxurious materials. Or as the company blurb says: "Take a look at the interior to see how comfortable 200mph can be". Lister prices the LFP at GBP140,000, or a touch over $180,000. Related Video:

2014 Jaguar XKR-S GT claws at the driving enthusiast in us

If you still find yourself coming up a few seconds short per lap in your Jaguar XKR-S, the British automaker has introduced the XKR-S GT - a cat specifically tuned for the racing circuit - at the New York Auto Show.
While Jaguar has left the supercharged 5.0-liter V8 unchanged (550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque), it has tuned and tweaked all the items that really make cars go quicker on the track (e.g. suspension, aerodynamics, contact patches, brakes). A once-over reveals upgraded go-fast goodies including a new ventilated hood, extended wheel arch spats, reworked front end with a bespoke front splitter and canards, a massive rear wing, height-adjustable adaptive dampers, active exhaust, carbon-ceramic brakes and sticky Pirelli Corsa tires. Try as we might, the driver in us can't find anything we not to like about this enthusiast-tuned coupe.
Of course all of the upgraded XK goodness doesn't come easy, or cheap. Jaguar will limit North American sales to just 30 units and price each at $174,000. Learn all the juicy details in the official press release below.