2014 Jaguar XKR-S GT at the 2013 New York Auto Show

• Competes with: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series, Audi R8 GT
• Looks like: A track-tuned version of the Jaguar XKR coupe, which it is
• Drivetrain: 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 making 550-hp and 502 lbs.-ft. of torque, six-speed automatic transmission
• Hits dealerships: August 2013
• MSRP: $174,000

The game of supercar one-upsmanship continues between the world's leading luxury automakers, and Jaguar has fired the latest shot with the unveiling of the new 2014 Jaguar XKR-S GT coupe. A track-ready but street-legal road racer, the new Jag builds off the super-fast and ultralight XKR-S coupe with the addition of a host of carbon fiber aerodynamic parts and suspension upgrades.

More 2013 New York Auto Show Coverage

The most obvious changes are to the body — there's a new carbon fiber front air dam, "dive planes," wheel arch spats, rear wing and rear diffuser to increase downforce to a maximum of 320 pounds at the car's top speed of 186 mph. It's also got a carbon ceramic brake system and a race-derived, height-adjustable twin-spring suspension system. Jaguar has replaced the front and rear suspension arms, uprights, wheel bearings, bushings and the car's rear subframe as well.

Jaguar F-Type at the 2012 Paris Motor Show

• Competes with: Porsche 911, BMW Z4, Chevrolet Corvette
• Looks like: The cat is finally getting a nimbler option that’s befitting of the marque’s heritage
• Drivetrain: 340-hp and 380-hp, supercharged 3.0-liter V-6; 495-hp, supercharged 5.0-liter V-8; eight-speed automatic transmission
• Hits dealerships: Spring 2013

Ever since Tata Motors, an Indian company, bought Jaguar-Land Rover from Ford, it has continued to reinvigorate both storied British brands. After expanding the Land Rover lineup, with the Range Rover Evoque, the Indian carmaker is turning its sights back on Jaguar with a new entry-level roadster, the F-Type.

Besides the cloth droptop, the F-Type is a spitting image of the C-X16 coupe concept we saw last year. Like the concept, the roadster ditches the horizontal lamps worn by current Jaguars for vertical bi-xenon lamp designs with integrated LED daytime lighting. There are pronounced dual brake air inlets and a wide grille with a large front spoiler and diffuser. While the F-Type's front is angular, the rear is more curvaceous and swept back. The overall look is almost disjointed, from front to back, but somehow it all comes together for a distinct design. It's a thoroughly modern interpretation of the famous 1963 E-Type — hence the car's "-Type" nomenclature.

2013 Jaguar XK: What's Changed

For the 2013 model year, the Jaguar XK gets a new luxury trim and 20-inch wheels standard. The new luxury trim is called the Portfolio Pack, which first debuted on the 2012 Jaguar XJ. On the XK, the luxury package offers soft-grain leather on the seats, dash and upper trim; the headliner is also covered in leather. The XK Portfolio Pack also gets either hand-polished wood or dark-finish aluminum veneers on the dashboard.

More 2012 New York Auto Show Coverage

The 2013 Jaguar XK and XKR are available with three different V-8 engines, with a base price of $84,500. No word yet when the model will go on sale.

Cars.com Podcast: 2010 Nissan 370Z and 2011 Jaguar XKR

 
This week we talk sports packages, high-tech performance options, levels of luxury and throw in a little open-air driving — and that’s just in discussing two models that recently came through our test fleet. Editors Joe Wiesenfelder, David Thomas and Mike Hanley discuss the 2010 Nissan 370Z coupe and the refreshed 2011 Jaguar XKR convertible. Find out what makes these two stand out and what we didn’t like about both.

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2010|Nissan|370Z

2011|Jaguar|XK

Cars.com Reviews the 2011 Jaguar XKR

The 2011 model year is the fifth for this generation of the Jaguar XKR, the convertible/coupe has aged remarkably well, according to Cars.com editor Mike Hanley,. Despite its exterior looks, there are some undesirable elements in the cabin such as a slow navigation system, which are unbefitting a car with a price tag of more than $100,000. Is the Jag’s age and imperfect interior enough to detract from its excellent powertrain and handling? Read Hanley’s full review and watch our video review to find out.

2011 Jaguar XKR

2011|Jaguar|XKR

Jaguar and Land Rover Riding High Under Tata

It’s been more than two years since Ford sold off its Land Rover and Jaguar unit to Indian conglomerate Tata Motors. So far, the new parent couldn’t be happier. 

In fact, you could say Tata – which just posted a net profit in the latest quarter compared to a net loss a year earlier – owes a lot of its current success to these two relatively small luxury carmakers. 

Jaguar and Land Rover sales are soaring high – up 18% in the U.S. – with production up 59% globally in the latest quarter. 

Much of Jaguar’s and Land Rover’s current success has to do with new models either completely or partially developed by Ford Motor Co. Ford’s leadership laid the groundwork for the designs of the popular Jaguar XK, XF and XJ. The same person that designed many popular Lincoln concepts at Ford, including the Lincoln Continental and Navicross, was also responsible for Land Rover’s LRX Concept, which is now going on sale nearly unaltered as the Range Rover Evoque. 

Jaguar, Land Rover May Expand Lineup

Jaguar and, to a lesser extent, Land Rover have been on a roll lately. Sales for Jaguar/Land Rover are up 46% for the year, and a lot of that growth has been at Jaguar, whose reengineered and redesigned 2010-11 XJ saw sales climb 608% in July and was the brand's best-selling model, usurping the XF. 

Now, Tata Motors Chairman Ratan Tata (owner of Jaguar and Land Rover since 2008) says, in a press release, he's considering widening Jaguar’s lineup by adding an all-new entry-level sedan, a new roadster and a station wagon. 

Jaguar's current roadster — the XK, which starts at $82,150 — is obviously pricey. Jaguar could design something smaller and more nimble. The wagon could either be a body-style extension of the XJ or XF, or it could end up being its own model entirely, akin to the Volvo XC70 or recent hatchback-like touring cars from BMW and Porsche — the 550 Gran Turismo and Panamera, respectively. 

The entry-level sedan is an interesting proposal. With the demise of the X-Type, Jaguar hasn’t offered a model for less than around $50,000. A model in the $35,000-$45,000 range could allow the company to compete better with best-sellers from Audi, BMW and Lexus. However, the X-Type is widely regarded as one of the biggest flops in recent luxury car history. Execution of the new model would be very important to a new model's success. 

Over at Land Rover, Tata says there will be a revamp and refresh of the entire lineup, starting with the all-new two-door Evoque (pictured above). No more information about specific model upgrades or timetables was given.

Recall Alert: 2010 Jaguar XF, 2010-11 XK

Jaguar is recalling 5,048 of its 2010-11 XK and 2010 XF models with the 5.0-liter V-8 over potential problems with the fuel system, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

On those vehicles, when the car is turned on, the fuel pump may not fully function because of a software error. This can cause an inadequate supply of fuel to reach the engine, causing it to cut out with little to no warning and potentially lead to an accident. 

Jaguar dealers will install new software into the affected vehicles free of charge. The recall begins on or before Aug. 30. To find out more, call Jaguar’s hot line at 800-452-4827 or NHTSA’s hot line at 888-327-4236.

Jaguar Launches Free Maintenance Program for 2011

Jaguar does not want consumers avoiding its cars because of high maintenance costs, and in order to dispel that (completely fair) notion, it will introduce “Jaguar Platinum Coverage.”

The new program offers a five-year/50,000-mile new-vehicle warranty, free scheduled maintenance and roadside assistance. It will also include free replacement of parts for basic wear and tear, including oil changes, filters, brake pads, brake discs, brake fluids and wiper blade inserts. That's a big difference from Jaguar’s last free maintenance program where owners were asked to pay for replacement parts. Jaguar killed the program in 2006, presumably because customers didn’t like paying for new brake pads and wiper blades.

The new program will start with the 2011 XJ sedan, which is slated to hit dealerships in May. The XF sedan and XK coupe will follow suit when the 2011 models debut in June, according to the automaker.

Cars.com Reviews the 2010 Jaguar XK

The 2010 Jaguar XK offers performance for people who like to drive and luxury for people who like to ride. Slap the two together and you have a vehicle that some might refer to as a “dream car.” Well, keep dreaming. In the meantime, Cars.com reviewer Mike Hanley got to tool around in the XK; read his full review to live vicariously for a bit.

2010 Jaguar XK Review