1989 Jaguar Xj6 T571429 on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Jaguar might not sell many XF Sportbrakes in the U.S., but here's why it's trying

One of the wonderful surprises of this year was when we learned that the U.S. would receive the XF Sportbrake wagon, and — less of a surprise — it's as much a looker as the previous generation. And while we're never one to look a gift car in the grille, it did seem strange that Jaguar would attempt to bring a wagon to the U.S., especially when it already had a similarly sized F-Pace crossover. So we spoke with Jaguar CEO Joe Eberhardt, Jaguar Design Director Ian Callum, and Jaguar's head of product planning in the U.S. to find out what prompted the company to bring the XF Sportbrake here. There were a few key reasons. One was simply that the folks at Jaguar really like the car, and they know that journalists like wagons. That doesn't exactly pay the bills for a car, but the enthusiasm is good. According to these people at Jaguar, though, they do believe there is a market for the car, and they expect to sell most of them on the coasts. Obviously, even if Jaguar sees a wagon market, it's still going to be much smaller than for crossover SUVs. But no matter how small that market is, Jaguar has an extra advantage for bringing the wagon here. The company knew it was going to make a wagon regardless of whether it would come to America, since the wagon market in Europe is so strong. In fact, Jaguar expects that half of XF sales in Europe will be Sportbrakes. So the majority of the engineering costs will be covered from those sales. The folks at Jaguar also told us that the car wasn't difficult to homologate for the U.S., so the cost of bringing it here was minimal. So in the worst case scenario that has the XF Sportbrake hardly selling in America, Jaguar isn't going to be seriously hurt. And if it's a success, then it's even more of a success. So the XF Sportbrake isn't purely a passion product, but that's OK. It means consumers have one more option to the multitude of crossovers in the U.S., and enthusiasts have the chance to own a super cool wagon. Also, although the XF Sportbrake is currently only available in America in top-level 380-horsepower S trim, Jaguar said lower trim levels and lower-output engines, all at lower prices, will be available here in the coming year or so. Meaning there will be even more ways to satisfy your wagon itch. Related Video:

Lister reveals first continuation Knobbly roadster at Autosport

It's been over a year since we reported on a plan to revive Lister Cars, and now the storied British racing constructor has revealed the first production continuation example of its legendary Knobbly roadster. Built to the same specifications as the original from 1958, using the same drawings and equipment, the reborn Knobbly features aluminum bodywork and a race-prepped 3.8-liter straight six out of a Jaguar D-Type and producing 330 horsepower. Revealed at the Autosport International race car show in Birmingham, the new Knobbly arrives on Lister's 60th anniversary and less than a month after the passing of its founder, Brian Lister. Only ten examples like this one will be built, all of which have already been spoken for, prompting Lister to consider an additional three examples. Each is eligible under FIA regulations to compete in vintage racing events, with performance specs quoting a 4.3-second 0-60 time and a top speed of 181 miles per hour. LISTER CARS' REBORN 'KNOBBLY' MAKES PUBLIC DEBUT AT AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL - Lister Cars' reborn 'Knobbly' racer has made its public debut at Autosport International - Built to the very same specification as the original 1958 'Knobbly' it uses the late Brian Lister's original drawings and manufacturing jigs - Lister has received an overwhelming response to its limited run of ten continuations and order books are full - Lister Cars is now considering creating three individual final editions each celebrating the racing pedigree of the 'Knobbly' in a unique and memorable way Lister Cars' reborn 'Knobbly' racer has made its public debut at Autosport International at the NEC Birmingham. Celebrating Lister's 60th anniversary, the reborn 'Knobbly' is built to the very same specification as the original 1958 'Knobbly', using the late Brian Lister's original drawings and manufacturing jigs. It is powered by a race-prepared Jaguar D-Type 3.8-litre straight-six, producing 330bhp. All 'Knobbly' models are built at Lister Cars' Cambridge factory to meet relevant FIA racing regulations, with owners able to compete in a series of Lister historic race meetings planned during 2015. Despite following an original design laid out more than 55 years ago, the reborn 'Knobbly' has performance to match modern sports cars; it can accelerate from 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds and hit a top speed of 181mph. Lister Cars has already received an overwhelming response to its limited run and the 10 cars are now sold out.

Top Gear caught filming Best of British near Buckingham Palace

YouTuber and car-fan extraordinaire Shmee probably had very little trouble tracking down the Top Gear film crew recently, as the group was putting together an episode that could accurately be described as "excessive." With its flag-waving (literally) Best of British theme, the TG guys gathered a jaw-dropping array of British cars, and parked them all right in front of Buckingham Palace to make extra sure that the point was driven home.
Top Gear hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May were outfitted with a trio of Jaguar F-Types festooned with gigantic Union Jacks, with which to survey the landscape of British motoring glory. In the video below, you'll see that this includes any number of Mini, Aston Martin, Lotus, McLaren, Land Rover, Bentley and Rolls-Royce models (just to name a few), as well as a healthy dose of weird stuff that most people would never guess at being built in the UK. The lawnmowers and military vehicles are especially cool.