We've covered the Jaguar XJL before, but this time we try out a new 2012 XJL Supersport. The trim comes with tons of additional features, including power reclining rear seats, black leather headliner and gloss trim. Despite all the niceties, the XJL Supersport might be a little too opulent for its own good, according to Cars.com Executive Editor Joe Wiesenfelder.
Jaguar is recalling 51 model-year 2012 XF sedans to fix an incorrect certification label, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.
The label lists the wrong gross vehicle weight rating. Exceeding the rating could lead to a loss of vehicle stability and increase the risk of a crash. Affected vehicles were built from Sept. 7 through Nov. 24. The vehicle's build date is on a label affixed to the driver-side doorjamb.
Dealers will replace the label free of charge. Jaguar will start notifying owners on or before Jan. 23. Owners can contact Jaguar at 800-452-4827 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.
The holidays are upon us, and we've decided to spotlight the year's best and worst in the car world over the next 12 days. We're looking at automakers that wowed us, along with those that earned our collective ire.
We begin with the vastly overlooked key fob.
The Jaguar C-X16 Concept is a study of design and efficiency, combining a hybrid powertrain with a stunning exterior.
More 2011 L.A. Auto Show Coverage
Jaguar had performance on the mind with this concept so there's a supercharged V-6 and 50/50 weight distribution, plus an extra boost of power can be had from the electric motor at the push of a button.
Now in its third model year, the 2012 Jaguar XJ adds more comfort and sport package trims to its already long list of available configurations. Base prices also increase for 2012.
A new options package is the Sport and Speed Pack. Performance enhancements include an aerodynamic splitter underneath the front bumper and a rear lip spoiler — minor stuff, but Jaguar says it was enough for it to change the speed limiter’s top speed from 155 mph to 174 mph for the trim package. A black mesh finish to the grille and lower intake, red-painted brake calipers and special 20-inch wheels are also added to the exterior. The package is available on the XJ Supersport and the XJ Supercharged trims.
Ford's dashboard doldrums persist. The automaker's buggy MyFord Touch multimedia system, rolled out in summer 2010, contributed toward a steep decline in J.D. Power and Associates' 2011 Initial Quality Study. Now it has become a sore spot for Ford owners responding to Consumer Reports' latest reliability surveys.
Problems with the dual-clutch automatic transmission in the Fiesta and Focus also tarnished the brand, which tumbled 10 spots in overall reliability to 20th among 28 major carmakers. Ford's Lincoln division, whose MKX SUV uses a variant of MyFord Touch, improved one spot to 14th place. Other movers included Lexus (up seven spots to second place), Mazda (up eight spots to third) and Jeep (up seven spots to 13th).
The survey, based on responses from the magazine's 1.3 million subscribers, covered cars from the 2002 to 2011 model years, from which Consumer Reports predicts reliability for 2012 models. Consumer Reports says other Ford models, most notably the Fusion Hybrid sedan, remain as reliable as ever. And Ford appears committed to MyFord Touch, with plans to introduce it in the 2013 Taurus.
Ahead of its Sept. 13 debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Jaguar has released images and details on its latest concept, the 2012 Jaguar C-X16. Unlike the hyper-exotic C-X75, which Jaguar apparently will build, the C-X16 two-door coupe looks like a more practical offering that could help bolster the British company’s image as a sports — rather than luxury touring — carmaker.
For just being a concept, the C-X16 looks surprisingly ready for dealerships. Up front, the coupe implements a vertical headlight design, rather than the horizontal lamps on the XF, XJ and XK. Dual front air inlets, a wide grille and a pronounced front spoiler give the car a sportier look compared with Jaguar’s current lineup. While the front is more angular and aggressive, the C-X16’s rear is curvaceous, featuring large rear fenders and a rounded rearview window that follows the form of the swept rear-roofline. Overall, there’s a lot of attention to detail here.
In a surprising move, Jaguar has confirmed its plans to bring the C-X75 Hybrid to market. The high-end supercar was first seen at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show in concept form.
Overall, Jaguar says the exterior look of the concept (shown above) will come to the production model.
The hybrid system has changed a bit since the concept: the C-X75 will feature a small-capacity, highly boosted internal combustion engine coupled to two powerful electric motors. The car should be able to travel on electric only, like the Chevrolet Volt, for about 30 miles after it's been plugged in. The chassis will be made out of carbon fiber.
The car should be able to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in less than three seconds, and zero to 100 mph takes less than six seconds. The car has a maximum speed of 200 mph.
The lightweight construction and powerful engine will be jointly developed by Williams F1, a Formula One race-car builder and team, and Jaguar. Only 250 C-X75s will be built, costing between $1 million and $1.5 million, so the car won’t come cheap. The closest competitor to it will be the Porsche 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid.
The model is currently under development, but Jaguar didn't specify when the model would launch, only saying it would take the same amount of time as a “conventional model program.” So, we’re probably talking a few years, if not more.
Jaguar has revised the exterior styling of its 2012 XF and XFR sport sedans, but even though the changes are relatively small, the impact on the car's appearance is quite dramatic.
More 2011 New York Auto Show Coverage
When the car that became the XF debuted in concept form a few years back as the C-XF, it was a stunning vision for a Jaguar. The production XF that debuted as a 2009 model had much of that concept's style, but it had sprouted bug-eyed headlights, marring the car's look. All has been rectified for 2012, as the XF and XFR have thin bi-xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights with LED daytime running lights that more closely mimic the original concept car's look — and the lights on the brand's flagship XJ sedan. To further differentiate the high-performance XFR, Jaguar has enlarged the mesh-filled openings in the lower bumper.
DJH, from Springfield, Ill., is certainly a fan of his new 2011 Jaguar XJL . In fact, no German carmaker even comes close to what you get for the price of the Jag, says DJH. The XJL is a long-wheelbase variant of the XJ sedan; this reader thinks the added space offers great rear legroom. Cars.com senior editor David Thomas contemplated working from a recent loaner's rear seats, too.
Continue reading below to find out what DJH thinks of his XJL. Once you’re done, you can share your review with us here.
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