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Jaguar Land Rover seeks to block U.S. imports of Porsche, Audi, Lamborghini, VW SUVs

You wouldn’t know it was about Jags and Lambos, to judge by its rather dry name: In the Matter of Certain Vehicle Control Systems. But thatÂ’s the complaint Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Plc filed on Thursday to block U.S. imports of Porsche, Lamborghini, Audi and Volkswagen sport utility vehicles it says are using its patented Terrain Response technology without permission. Jaguar Land Rover, a British carmaker owned by IndiaÂ’s Tata Motors Ltd., said in its filing with the U.S. International Trade Commission that the technology helps negotiate a “broad range of surfaces” and is a key feature in JaguarÂ’s F-Pace and Land Rover Discovery vehicles. “JLR seeks to protect itself and its United States operations from companies that have injected infringing products into the U.S. market that incorporate, without any license from JLR, technology developed by JLR and protected by its patent,” JaguarÂ’s lawyer, Matthew Moore, said in the filing. Representatives of Volkswagen didnÂ’t immediately respond to emails seeking comment on the complaint. Jaguar wants to block imports of PorscheÂ’s Cayenne; LamborghiniÂ’s Urus; AudiÂ’s Q8, Q7, Q5, A6 Allroad and e-tron vehicles; and VWÂ’s Tiguan vehicles. It said there are plenty of other luxury midsize SUV and compact crossover vehicles to meet consumer demand if the SUVs are banned from the U.S. Still, the premium Porsche and Audi lines provide much of the profit VW is using to fund its investments in technology for electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles and further innovations. In addition to the four brands, Volkswagen Group owns other upscale nameplates, including Bentley and Bugatti. The International Trade Commission is an independent, quasi-judicial agency that investigates complaints of unfair trade practices, like patent infringement. It canÂ’t award damages but does have the power to block products from entering the U.S. Owners of patents and trade secrets like it because it can work faster than the federal district courts -- the typical investigation is completed in 15 to 18 months. But Jaguar also filed patent lawsuits against the companies in federal courts in Delaware and New Jersey, seeking cash compensation for the use of the technology. Those cases are likely to be put on hold once the trade commission launches its investigation. The case is In the Matter of Certain Vehicle Control Systems, 337-3508, U.S. International Trade Commission (Washington).

Lamborghini Urraco ownership is traumatic but awesome

Gene Ondrusek and his 1975 Lamborghini Urraco have a relationship forged in heartache. He bought the car on a whim in 1987 and had barely driven it when the timing belt snapped thanks to a bad previous engine rebuild. With the interior already a wreck, Ondrusek set off on a restoration that would take years to get the Lamborghini back together.
All of that time arm-deep in the car's mechanicals has turned Ondrusek into a pretty persnickety owner. Passengers have to remove their shoes before getting in, and he has a mat to protect the carpet on the driver's side. However, despite his fastidious temperament, this Urraco isn't a garage queen and gets driven often.
Ondrusek doesn't exactly make the Urraco sound like an unmitigated joy behind the wheel, either. The seating position forces the driver to sit at an angle, and with no power brakes or power steering, the wedge-shaped coupe is not exactly easy to handle at low speeds. Still, all that time fixing the car has clearly created a strong bond behind man and machine, and we think the wedgy, underappreciated mid-Seventies Marcello Gandini design has held up well. Get a feel for both the car and the owner's connection by watching this latest video from Petrolicious.

Lamborghini Aventador spotted with more aggressive look

The Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 has been a huge success for the Italian automaker. The big, burly V12 supercar propelled Lamborghini to record profits a few years ago and the automaker wants to ensure that the Aventador remains relevant with a minor facelift that makes it look even more aggressive. Photographers caught an Aventador testing at the Nurburgring and the vehicle looks like a toned down Aventador LP750-4 SV. At the front, the prototype has smaller air intakes on either side of the front grille, of much the same angular design as the more powerful SV. These replace the unobstructed, larger square-like intakes on the regular model. The prototype still has the same overall profile as the current model. The changes at the back of the prototype are more dramatic. The rear wing is still the same shape and size, but the rear vents, which sit just below the taillights, appear to be smaller and more rectangular. The diffuser, which protrudes out of the prototype's rear end, is closer to the one found on the SV than the more restrained one on the normal Aventador. The exhaust outlet on this test vehicle is also different with a triangular shape that has a three-pipe design instead of the oval-enclosed four-pipe design on the current Aventador. It's also different from the exposed quad-pipe layout emerging from the SV's aggressive hindquarters. We're sure the different exhaust layout will alter the supercar's sound, but rest assured that the revamped Aventador can still spit a massive ball of flame. Rumors hint at the Aventador getting some additional power from its 6.5-liter V12 that currently generates 691 horsepower and 509 pound feet of torque. While the performance increase is up in the air, a dose of additional aggression will keep the Aventador looking fresh as it ages. Related Video: Featured Gallery Lamborghini Aventador Spy Shots View 12 Photos Image Credit: CarPix Spy Photos Lamborghini Coupe Performance Supercars testing