2000 Jaguar Xk8 Convertible 4.0l V8 5-spd Auto W/sport Apline Audio Leather Cd on 2040-cars

Auto blog

First Jaguar C-Type Continuation ready for delivery, and you can still buy one

Jaguar's XK120-C is known by its far more famous name, C-Type, known for winning Le Mans twice, and known for being the first car equipped with disc brakes to win a race in international competition. That latter victory happened on June 29, 1952, at the sports car race held ahead of the Formula II Grand Prix at Reims, France, with Sir Stirling Moss at the wheel. Today marking the 70th anniversary of that win, Jaguar has chosen it to announce the first C-Type Continuation is ready for delivery. This is one of eight continuation C-Types the English automaker announced in January 2021, all of them built to similar specification as the 1953 C-Type that earned the model's second win at La Sarthe, meaning a 3.4-liter, 220-horsepower straight-six sporting three Weber carbs and disc brakes at the four corners. This one is finished in Pastel Green paint with Suede Green seats, recalling the car Moss raced in Reims the year before. The Continuations are being built at the Jaguar Classic Works in Coventry, each needing 3,000 hours to complete due to using the same build techniques that went into creating the original cars. After the build, Classics engineers put each example through 250-mile shakedown. Once the run is complete, Jaguar said it planned to host a motorsports-themed celebration for the octet. Owners can enjoy plenty of other track days as well, the Continuations being approved by the FIA to run in all FIA Historic events. Owners won't need to worry about seeing their car everywhere, either, since the C-Type is a rarity even with these additions; Jaguar only built 53 of the original. Seems an undisclosed number of C-Type Continuations are still available to purchase. If visuals can sway any prospective buyers, Jaguar created a configurator showcasing the 12 exterior colors, eight leather hues, and two roundels that can be optioned. The carmaker hasn't mentioned pricing publicly, but it's thought to be north of seven figures. 

JLR confirms next Jaguar XJ will be all-electric

Jaguar-Land Rover confirmed today what has long been rumored: the next-generation Jaguar XJ will be all-electric. On stage to introduce the new Land Rover Defender, company CEO Ralf Speth made the announcement as a teaser image of the new electric XJ's full-width taillight bar appeared on screens behind him.  As quoted by AutoExpress, Speth said, "Based on our rich knowledge and experience gained from the I-Pace, Formula-E and I-Pace eTROPHY, our engineering team is in full swing to deliver the world's first, full-electric luxury sports saloon. The flagship of Jaguar: the all-new XJ." He continued, "The new, all-electric XJ - extraordinarily remastered for the 21st century - will offer spiritual freedom for our customers ... Gliding in elegance, new tranquility and new functionality, and in full consciousness taking care of the environment." Well, let's unpack that a bit, shall we? First, "the world's first, full-electric luxury sports saloon?" Even if you split hairs and deem the Tesla Model S a hatchback, there's a little thing called the Tesla Model 3. That's definitely a saloon, or as we in North America call it, a sedan. Unless he meant the North American definition of a saloon, in which case the Tesla is most definitely not that.  Also, the new XJ will help customers achieve spiritual freedom? Whatever. Jaguar's longest-running nameplate going all-electric isn't surprising, but it can only be good news for the British luxury brand, which could use a win. The current XJ made waves with its controversial styling, but that was nearly a decade ago. Thereafter, it never gained enough attention in America from wealthy buyers who'd otherwise buy a BMW 7 Series, Mercedes S-Class or even Porsche Panamera. Basically, what the Tesla Model S was able to achieve with distinctive styling, and of course, an all-electric powertrain. Plus, unlike the recently introduced Porsche Taycan, an all-electric Jaguar XJ should offer space more on par with Tesla's big sedan/saloon/hatchback.  AutoExpress also indicates in its story that the new XJ will still be built in England, as will its batteries. There will apparently be a new battery-producing facility opening in 2020 with the goal of producing enough batteries for as many as 150,000 Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles per year. 

Which is hotter, Lana Del Rey or the Jaguar F-Type?

Lana Del Rey's "Burning Desire" video, the first musical collaboration between Jaguar and its hired songstress, is half music video, half long-form lifestyle commercial for the 2014 F-Type. If you like Del Rey channeling glamorous fifties fame as she lays down vocals of sensuous, languid dolor over images of black-and-white yesteryears, you'll like this song off of her new EP, Paradise.
We think the appearance of a red and brand-new Jaguar, though, is incongruous - either Del Rey or Jaguar is the anachronism, take your pic. That's not to say it's not beautiful, however, so enjoy the combination in the video below.