1997 Jaguar Xk Convertible on 2040-cars

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The story behind Bridgestone's new tires for the rare and beautiful Jaguar XJ220

The Jaguar XJ220 is a beautiful, fast, and arguably under appreciated supercar from the early 1990s. While contemporaries like the Ferrari F40 and Porsche 959 garner more than $1 million at auctions, the XJ220 might pull in half that. Maintaining an older car requires work, a task made more difficult when parts aren't available. Last year, Bridgestone announced it was producing new tires specifically for XJ220s. The Japanese tire supplier has released a 42-minute video documenting the process. There were only 275 XJ220s ever built, fewer than both the F40 and 959. Until recently, no supplier made four same-spec tires that would fit the XJ220. Early Dodge Viper owners suffer from the same problem. Thanks to both Bridgestone and Pirelli, owners now have two options to choose from. Bridgestone worked with Don Law Racing, the go-to shop for all things XJ220, when developing the right tire for the car. It isn't simply a reproduction of an older-spec tire. Bridgestone tested a number of new compounds. With so few cars available, from the beginning this was going to be a money-losing prospect for the tire maker. Enthusiasts within the organization fought hard to get everything approved. Watch the full video to hear how much time and effort went into the project. Related Video: News Source: Bridgestone via Motor1Image Credit: Getty Jaguar Videos tires jaguar xj220

2014 Jaguar F-Type

Stepping Into The Lion's Den With A Big-Hearted Cat
If you're like me - and our demographics suggests you are - you've probably never seen a new Jaguar sportscar at your local showroom. I'm 36, and it hasn't happened in my lifetime... and not by a little bit. Oh, there have been a string of XK coupes and convertibles, and as of late, there have even been some genuine high-performance specials - namely the R, R-S and R-S GT models - but their basis has always been the 2+2 grand tourer shell, not a lighter and smaller footprint with more intrinsic sporting intent. The truth is that it's been a half-century since Jaguar introduced a proper new sportscar. Today, most people know the brand strictly as a purveyor of wood- and hide-lined luxury sedans.
In fact, if you're not an enthusiast with some appreciation for the marque's history, it's a bit odd to hear Jaguar executives proclaim that they are a sportscar company and always have been. By their reckoning, the 2014 F-Type seen here is in fact a return to form, a Rip Van Winkled brand pillar reanimated and reimagined to take center stage. It's a sentiment that must be particularly odd for car shoppers in developing markets like China, where Jaguar hasn't even been selling cars for very long. Yet because the original 1961 E-Type is perhaps the most gorgeous car ever to lay ply on the world's roads, we're prepared to cut them some slack.

550-hp Jaguar F-Pace SVR revealed ahead of New York Auto Show

"I love this car." So said Jaguar designer Ian Callum, quite genuinely, as the Jaguar F-Pace SVR drove onto the stage at the company's new headquarters in Mahwah, N.J. Despite accepting and even embracing Jaguar's decision to produce SUVs, it's quite obvious (because he says so repeatedly) that Callum is still a guy with a lust for high-powered sports cars. The F-Pace SVR melds these two elements to create something he gleefully describes as "ridiculous." Boasting Jaguar Land Rover's now-familiar supercharged 5.0-liter V8, the SVR produces 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. Jag estimates it'll hit 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 176 mph, which will make it one of the quickest and fastest SUVs on the road when it arrives in dealerships this summer. View 15 Photos It's not just the big engine, however. Upgraded mechanical improvements and enhancements include stiffer springs, wider and lighter forged alloy wheels (21- or 22 inches), bigger brakes (15.5-inch front, 15.6-inch rear), an electronic active rear differential, a variable active exhaust that's 14.5 pounds lighter than the standard one, and specially tuned software for the adaptive suspension, electric steering, eight-speed automatic, all-wheel drive and Dynamic Driving Mode. Callum's team also massaged the aerodynamics with larger air intakes, rear bumper side strakes, and fender vents that lower pressure in the wheel arches to reduce lift and increase cooling. A unique hood features vents designed to, well, vent hot air from the engine compartment. There are also wheel arch extensions and lower body moldings to create a more muscular appearance, while the rear sees fat quad tailpipes that one would assume should bark and burp like any good Jaguar SVR. Inside, there are thinner, light-weight sport seats done up in snazzy quilted leather. The rear seat also gets sportier seats with a similar fixed headrest design as those up front. The pistol-like sport gear selector shifter, as used in the Jaguar F-Type, replaces the standard rotary shifter design. It still takes up way too much room on the center console. Pricing starts at $80,985. One would assume Mr. Callum will gets his for less than that. Related Video: