Motoring: Bond in motion
JAGUAR chose to launch its brand new XF in a blaze of glory with a spectacular stunt involving the car being driven over the waters of Canary Wharf suspended only on two steel cables.
With a Hollywood stuntman at the wheel, the feat was intended to demonstrate the handling characteristics of the new all-aluminium lightweight car – as well as capture a lot of welcome publicity for the model and underline its glamour to a host of would-be buyers.
But was it all hype?
Well, motorists should find out more today when the public gets its first proper look at the car at the New York Motor Show.
Jaguar has said in its pre-launch publicity that the new XF is set to bring an unrivalled blend of refinement, fuel economy, dynamics and design to the business car segment.
That should be enough to worry the bean-counters at BMW, Audi and Mercedes – even before the car’s on-road dynamics have been demonstrated.
The Coventry-based company claims the XF has segment-leading figures for interior space, combined with outstanding proportions, elegant surfaces and the pure lines intended to limit drag and improve fuel efficiency.
The cabin features a blend of contemporary luxury materials and finishes, traditional Jaguar craftsmanship and state-of-the art technology, including features such as the new InControl Touch Pro premium infotainment system and 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster.
Ian Callum, director of design, Jaguar, said: “In creating the all-new XF, as a design team we have been driven by discipline, the discipline of simplicity. Every exterior line on the XF has a clear purpose – nothing is superfluous. Achieving that simplicity takes time and requires great determination; it’s all too easy to add lines to a car, but much harder to add character by leaving lines out.
“Inside too, we have been driven by the desire to ensure the XF’s cabin is as comforting as it is comfortable. New technology, including our new 10.2-inch touchscreen, is combined carefully with materials that cosset and reassure. The all-new XF has a clear sense of calm and strength, both outside and inside – and I’m proud of my team for delivering that.”
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The new car has some big boots to fill in seeking to replace Jaguar’s most awarded car to date.
The company says the all-new XF retains its predecessor’s core attributes but uses Jaguar’s advanced aluminium-intensive architecture to elevate them to a completely new level. Featuring 75% aluminium, the architecture enables weight savings of up to 190kg over the outgoing model and is stiffer by up to 28%.
The architecture is also said to deliver dramatic improvements in packaging and the proportions so essential to Jaguar design. Though slightly shorter and lower than the car it replaces (in order to accommodate its XE derived powertain), the all-new XF’s 2,960mm wheelbase is 51mm longer than the old car, creating class-leading rear seat space with more legroom, kneeroom and headroom. Good news for taller drivers.
The efficiency gains inherent in the lightweight aluminium construction are complemented by the all-new XF’s refined, powerful engine range. The 2.0-litre Ingenium Wolverhampton-built diesel engines are available in 163PS/380Nm and 180PS/430Nm ratings and are offered with specially-optimised six-speed manual- and eight-speed automatic transmissions. In 163PS manual form, the all-new XF delivers 104g/km CO2 and is the lightest, most efficient non-hybrid diesel model in the segment – 80kg lighter than its closest competitor.
All other engines are matched exclusively to eight-speed automatic transmissions. The 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injection petrol engine develops 240PS/340Nm, while the renowned 3.0-litre V6 supercharged petrol engine will be offered in both 340PS/450Nm and 380PS/450Nm ratings.
The 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo diesel benefits from a host of advanced technologies which boost efficiency and refinement still further, and raise output to 300PS and a remarkable 700Nm of torque.
The light, stiff body structure is also fundamental to the all-new XF’s vehicle dynamics. The sophisticated double wishbone and Integral Link suspension – combined with near-50:50 weight distribution – is intended to deliver the ideal balance between agility, comfort and refinement.
Incorporating all of the learning from F-Type and XE, the meticulously-tuned Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) maintains the XF’s benchmark steering feel and response – and contributes to its outstanding fuel economy.
Advanced passive damper technology is said to deliver exceptional ride comfort as standard, but for even better control the Adaptive Dynamics system determines the optimum damper settings for the driving conditions.
Jaguar Configurable Dynamics, first developed for F-Type provide new levels of control and enable the driver to individually tailor settings of the dampers, steering, engine and eight-speed automatic transmission.
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For select markets which demand all-wheel drive (AWD), Jaguar has engineered a new torque on-demand system. The transfer case uses a chain drive instead of gears and is lighter, quieter and more efficient.
Capability is also enhanced by the advanced control system first used in F-Type all-wheel-drive (AWD): Intelligent Driveline Dynamics (IDD). This delivers rear-drive handling with the performance and traction benefits of AWD.
Jaguar said ability is unrivalled in rear-wheel drive form too. All-Surface Progress Control, developed for low-speed driving in adverse conditions, automatically manages the brakes and the throttle to deliver the best possible traction, enabling the car to pull away smoothly and without drama: the driver only has to steer.
Infotainment and connectivity is the most advanced Jaguar has ever offered. The all-new InControl Touch Pro system features a 10.2-inch touchscreen and Dual View technology which simultaneously allows the driver to see information such as navigation, while the front seat passenger watches TV or a DVD.
To handle the enormous amounts of data, InControl Touch Pro features a solid-state drive and a quad-core processor, and runs on state-of-the-art, ultra-fast Ethernet – a next-generation network offering exceptional data transfer rates. Combined, they deliver incredible graphics, fast response times and truly exceptional performance.
Complementing InControl Touch Pro is a reconfigurable 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster. Jaguar Land Rover pioneered this technology with the XJ and Range Rover and is now bringing it to the business car segment.
The new car also offers a wide range of advanced driver assistance systems, and is also the first Jaguar to offer full-LED headlights.
The all-new XF will be manufactured at Jaguar Land Rover’s Castle Bromwich plant, where the company has outlined plans for a £400m investment to support the production programme.
Full technical details of the new car are expected to be announced after today’s launch.
Covent Garden visitors left shaken and stirred by latest display
Bond in Motion
ASTON Martin fans and 007 wannabes were given a treat when the world’s coolest brand took over London’s Covent Garden for a display of some very precious metal.
Bond in Motion is the largest collection of original Bond vehicles in the world. The exhibition is currently celebrating its first anniversary at the London Film Museum.
Among the line-up on show for one weekend only were an original Aston Martin Vanquish from Die Another Day, as well as the iconic Aston Martin DBS sports cars used in Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. There were also be a selection of current Aston Martin models on display, as well as a line-up of classic Aston Martins courtesy of members of the Aston Martin Owners Club.
Due to popular demand, Bond in Motion is being retained at the museum until further notice. Curated by EON Productions, the display features a number of exhibits previously unseen by the public. The exhibition features more than 100 original artefacts spanning all 23 Bond films including vehicles, miniatures, concept art and storyboards. New exhibits expected in 2015 include vehicles from the new Bond film, SPECTRE.
Big Apple debut for McLaren 570S coupe
McLaren 570S
JAGUAR is not the only manufacturer keeping its latest product under wraps until today’s New York Motor Show.
McLaren is using the event to showcase its new 570S coupe, the first model to be launched in its Sports Series family.
The V8 carbon fibre supercar forms a crucial part of the manufacturer’s new sales strategy – and it will be hoping it diverts attention away from its somewhat lacklustre start to the new F1 season.
With the launch of the first Sports Series derivative, McLaren will be displaying its three tier model strategy together in New York for the first time globally.
Every Sports Series model will share its DNA with the Super Series and Ultimate Series that sit above it in the McLaren hierarchy.
The 570S Coupé marks the first time McLaren has offered its pioneering and race-derived technologies in the sports car segment. In line with the naming convention begun with the 650S, the number 570 gives away the power output of the new model.
The only other clue to the car’s sporting credentials is this teaser image, although the company has pledged to reveal all later today (Wednesday).
