2006 Jaguar Xk8 Base (a6) Convertible Zf 6-speed Automatic on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Lunaz electrifying classic cars with coachbuilt, millimeter precision

One day last year, as David Lorenz waited by the side of the road for repair help with his classic car, he had an idea: Why not update all of that ancient mechanical "character" with a modern electric drivetrain? That would give an owner the beauty of the past, the mechanicals of the present, and the powertrain of the future. Jaguar does it with the E-Type Zero, and Aston Martin's in the game with the reversible EV powertrain swap for the DB6 Volante. And so Lorenz founded the British engineering firm Lunaz Design, named after his daughter Luna and headquartered at the Silverstone Technology Park. The company's first products are almost ready for order, starting with a 1953 Jaguar XK120 and a 1961 Rolls-Royce Phantom V. Lunaz conversions aren't a matter of pulling an engine and installing a battery pack; Lunaz reengineers classics. Managing Director Jon Hilton oversees a team bringing experience from carmakers such as Aston Martin, Ferrari, Jaguar, McLaren, and Rolls-Royce, with Hilton's resume including six years with Cosworth Engineering followed by eight years in Formula One. To develop the Lunaz offerings, a chosen car is stripped to the metal and weighed so that engineers understand the weight distribution at each corner, then the car is stripped to the chassis and 3D-scanned. This yields information allowing designers to create a powertrain that fits to the millimeter and stays true to the handling dynamics of the original vehicle. During the rebuild, the company says, any imperfections are remedied "using traditional coachbuilding techniques." The Jaguar and the Rolls-Royce get battery packs in two locations, one under the hood and one under the trunk floor. Lunaz says it can fit more battery for its in-house design into each car that way. The Jaguar's 80-kWh battery feeds two electric motors sending 375 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels. The Phantom V uses a 120-kWh battery pack, but its output hasn't been released. While remaining true to the exterior and interior design of each car, Lunaz fits LED lights and modern tires, a modern suspension, better brakes with regenerative braking, power steering, an upgraded propshaft, and a fly-by-wire throttle. Safety and comfort additions include cruise control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes. Inside, the instrument cluster gets battery gauges, there's modern climate control, an infotainment screen with satellite navigation, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Xcar focuses on famed Jaguar test driver Norman Dewis

If you have any interest at all in motoring history, especially when it comes to European sports car racing from the '50s and '60s, do absolutely whatever you can to set aside 38 minutes for this interview with former Jaguar test driver Norman Dewis from XCar. Dewis had a hand in developing the British brand's vehicles from 1952 to 1985, and as expected over that time, he amassed some fantastic stories. Xcar did a great job of teasing a few of those great tales out of him here. From the very beginning, Dewis was gifted with a natural talent to read a car as a test driver. When he was just 16, he was taken out on his first chance to evaluate a vehicle and picked out even more intricacies than his instructor. Dewis eventually wound up at Jaguar, and that's where his career really took off. Among his many accomplishments there, he had a role in developing disc brakes both for racing and the road, set multiple world top speed records, and helped bring the E-Type to the world. Dewis even made the famous overnight drive in an XKE convertible from England to display it at the Geneva Motor Show. Dewis tells a first-hand account of being in the Jaguar paddock during the tragic accident during the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans that took the lives of dozens of spectators. It's a story that we usually can only read about or watch in black-and-white films. Hearing Dewis' side really brings this history to life.

Jaguar and Land Rover now offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

The 2019 Jaguar I-Pace will come standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, and the connectivity feature comes as a roughly $300 option on select and appropriately equipped 2019 Jaguar and Land Rover models, the joint automaker said. It comes via Jaguar Land Rover's Smartphone Pack, which is available on all 2019 and future models, but with conditions. The car in question must have the 10-inch InControl Touch Pro touchscreen or split-touchscreen Touch Pro Duo infotainment systems, plus navigation, InControl Apps and Wi-Fi connectivity. Those are included on some upper trim levels and available as separate options on others. So basically, depending on trim level, you could be looking at a simple $300 add or a long-line of other extra charges just to get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There are other new features coming for the InControl Touch Pro system as well, including voice command for navigation, major graphic refreshes for certain screens, new shortcut buttons on the home screen for key navigation, media and phone functions, and changes to the user experience in the media screen. Jaguar and Land Rover first introduced the InControl Touch Pro for 2016, enabling users to learn whether they have enough fuel or battery range to get to a searched-for destination and share their destination, current location and ETA with others via email or text message when using the on-board nav system. The Touch Pro Duo first debuted on the 2018 Range Rover Velar and will be standard on the 2019 I-Pace electric crossover, plus the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. It features interlinked dual upper and lower touchscreens. In terms of the trim level availability mentioned earlier, a JLR spokesperson tells us that Smartphone Pack is available on all 2019 Jaguar F-Pace trim levels. It is available separately starting with the F-Pace Prestige trim level, but on the base F-Pace and Premium versions, you have to also get the optional Connect Pro Pack, Navigation Pro Pack, and traffic sign recognition and adaptive speed-limiter pack. Yes, it is a bit complicated. JLR recently released a touchscreen infotainment system designed to blend in with vintage models that retails for $1,796 before taxes. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.