MUCH like the rest of us, car manufacturers like to take things a little easier during the summer but as we approach the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness then things start to pick up.

With the Motor Show bandwagon set to start up again in Frankfurt next month then the leading brands are all busy putting the finishing touches to their new products, ready to wow journalists and consumers alike.

We already know that Jaguar Land Rover will use the German show as the launchpad for its much-anticipated new crossover, the Jaguar F-Pace.

However, before then the company has been keen to plug its all-new Jaguar XF. The car, which succeeds the multi award-winning model which has been around since 2007, is already available to order and will hit the UK streets next year with prices starting from £32,300.

Existing XF owners can vouch for the quality of the current car and the next version is also likely to cause a few hearts to flutter, even if BMW’s 5-Series, Audi’s A6 and the Mercedes E-Class are unlikely to let the Big Cat go unchallenged.

The new XF will feature the same aluminium body construction as its new sibling, the XE and will also be sharing a lot more of the company’s entry-level executive than its brand badge.

JLR says the aluminium-intensive architecture enables the XF to lead its class in terms of weight, being a claimed 80kg lighter than the competition.

It also says the new car, which is being built at the firm’s Castle Bromwich factory following a massive new investment in plant and labour, will offer unrivalled levels of refinement, dynamics and design.

It will also offer the lowest CO2 emissions of any non-hybrid model in its segment – just 104g/km – fuel consumption is said to be an impressive 70.6MPG on a combined cycle.

The new car will also feature a revised six-speed manual transmission, while the powertrains are characterised by a two-litre, 163PS Wolverhampton-built Ingenium diesel engine all the way up to a 380PS V6 supercharged petrol with eight-speed automatic transmission.

The design of the car has been carried out to reduce overhangs and improve the drag co-efficient. Nevertheless it still claims segment-leading rear seat space.

The car will also be characterised by an all-new 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system – InControl Touch Pro – offering door-to-door navigation, seamless iOS and Android connectivity, plus a 17-speaker, 825W Meridian digital surround sound system.

A reconfigurable 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster features four visual themes and full-screen navigation display.

The double-wishbone and Integral Link suspension have been designed to improve ride comfort, handling, and refinement, while the All-Surface Progress Control enables smooth, effortless drive-away on low-friction surfaces such as snow and ice – all the driver has to do is steer.

Additional technological aids include full-LED headlights, a laser head-up display which delivers high-contrast colour images, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with queue-assist, lane keep-assist, intelligent speed limiter and semi-automated parking.

Jaguar design guru Ian Callum said: “I believe the all-new XF is the best looking car in its class. Elegant, handsome and with proportions that imbue a great sense of integrity – the all-new XF is true to the great tradition of sporting Jaguar saloons while being completely of its time.”

The all-new XF range will consist of: XF Prestige, XF R-Sport, XF Portfolio, XF S.

The all-new XF powertrain range will consist of: 163PS and 180PS 2.0-litre diesel manual and automatic; RWD 300PS 3.0 V6 diesel automatic; RWD 380PS 3.0-litre V6 petrol automatic.

The all-new XF joins the Jaguar saloon car range between the XE and XJ model lines.

“The XF nameplate sits at the very heart of Jaguar; the original XF was revolutionary for the brand, and now the all-new aluminium-intensive XF represents another innovative step-change within the business segment.
“Lighter and more efficient, with enhanced space, an all-new premium infotainment system, a greater breadth of powertrains, unrivalled dynamics and refinement and, of course, world-leading design, the all-new XF offers customers a compelling package,” said Steven de Ploey, Brand Director, Jaguar.

Here’s what you’ll pay:

Model                                             OTR                   Emissions
Name                                             Price                      g/km

XF 2.0d 163ps Prestige             £32,300.00                104
XF 2.0d 163ps R-Sport              £34,200.00                104
XF 2.0d 163ps Portfolio             £36,400.00                104
XF 2.0d 163ps Prestige Auto     £34,050.00                109
XF 2.0d 163ps R-Sport Auto      £35,950.00                109
XF 2.0d 163ps Portfolio Auto     £38,150.00                109
XF 2.0d 180ps Prestige             £32,800.00                 114
XF 2.0d 180ps R-Sport              £35,100.00                 114
XF 2.0d 180ps Portfolio             £37,300.00                 114
XF 2.0d 180ps Prestige Auto     £34,550.00                 114
XF 2.0d 180ps R-Sport Auto      £36,850.00                 114
XF 2.0d 180ps Portfolio Auto    £39,050.00                  114
XF 3.0d 300ps S Auto               £49,945.00                  144
XF 3.0i V6 S/C 380ps S Auto    £49,945.00                  198

M4 Concept promises to light up the track

A YEAR on from the launch of the BMW M4 Coupe, those heroic engineers from the group’s M Division have offered a sneak preview of a track version of the car.

The BMW Concept M4 GTS is said to contain all the essential ingredients which have contributed to the M Division’s legendary status.

Whetting the appetite of motoring enthusiasts everywhere, M Division president Frank van Meel said: “While the BMW M4 Coupe embodies the ideal combination of motor sport genes and unrestricted everyday usability, the Concept M4 GTS previews an emotionally powerful and exclusive special model conceived with an eye for trailblazing technology and a keen focus on the race track.

“Despite its outstanding track ability, it is still fully road-legal. This is racing technology for the road in the truest sense.”

The concept car showcases new technologies which are destined to make their series production debut in a new model to be unveiled at a later date. For example, the M4 GTS features the innovative water injection system that has already provided a significant output and torque boost in the BMW M4 MotoGP Safety Car. In addition, the M4 GTS has rear lights with OLED (organic light-emitting diode) technology that give the high-performance model a whole new look when darkness falls.

The world premiere of the BMW Concept M4 GTS took place over the course of the recent Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance weekend in California, where it was accompanied by a collection of prize-winning sports cars from years gone by.

The M4 GTS builds on the M4 Coupe’s dynamic performance but honed for the track. The manually adjustable front splitter and rear wing – both in exposed carbon – have been engineered to ensure perfect aerodynamic balance which allows the car to be equally at home on or off the race track.

Another example of the engineers’ rigorous adherence to lightweight design is the CFRP (carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic) bonnet, which lowers the car’s weight and centre of gravity further still. A wide front air intake optimises airflow and minimises front axle lift.

The imposing presence of the M4 GTS is accentuated by the exterior paint shade Frozen Dark Grey Metallic, with the Acid Orange accent on the front splitter creating an effective contrast. The lightweight, forged and polished light-alloy wheels in 666 M styling also feature an Acid Orange accent.

The engine powering the car is equipped with the same innovative water injection system that has endowed the MotoGP Safety Car with a noticeable increase in output and torque.

The water is injected into the plenums of the intake manifold as a fine spray. When the water vaporises, the intake air cools significantly. As a result, the final compression temperature in the combustion chamber – and therefore the engine’s tendency to ‘knock’ – is reduced, enabling the turbocharged engine to use higher boost pressure and earlier injection timing.

This technology ensures an increase in output and torque, while at the same time reducing the thermal stress on performance-relevant components. All of which also enhances the stability and durability of the turbocharged engine.

The strong performance potential of the turbocharged six-cylinder in-line engine already demands an exceptionally sophisticated thermal management system for the engine and ancillary units. To ensure optimal operating temperatures in all situations, the M Division engineers have developed a highly innovative and effective cooling system. It comprises a main radiator plus additional radiators for the high- and low-temperature circuits, transmission and turbocharger in order to keep temperatures stable. The turbochargers are cooled by means of an indirect intercooler, assisted by an additional electric water pump.

The M4 GTS is also fitted with innovative rear lights featuring OLED technology. OLEDs (organic light-emitting diodes) are a new type of light source producing full-surface and homogenous illumination – in contrast to LEDs, which emit light to a single point. Their low installation height and the ability to actuate individual light modules separately create fresh design scope in lighting concepts.

New coupé for the C-Class family

MERCEDES-BENZ is also travelling down the coupé route – although not to the same extent as the M Division boys.

The company has done as expected and added a Coupé to its new C-Class family.

The two-door model has always been a popular addition to the range and the new model is expected to follow suit.

A sporting design combined with a luxurious interior offer the perfect combination for those seeking the practicality of a saloon with a little dash of the grand tourer.

Assisting the comfort levels is a dynamically configured chassis, with optional air suspension. This provides low road noise and tyre vibration, agile handling, and an enhanced driving experience. Lightweight construction also reduces weight, while improved aerodynamics and high-performance yet efficient engines contribute to a sporty yet frugal drive.

Mercedes says the new assistance systems will provide safety of the very highest calibre, while car will set new standards in its segment. It arrives in the UK in December.
 
Professor Dr. Thomas Weber, Daimler board member for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, said: “Our new C-Class Coupé continues the philosophy of our exciting coupés. It combines thrilling design with agile sportiness and modern luxury. The C-Class Coupé therefore clearly pledges itself to stylish driving enjoyment.”

So, plenty to look forward to over the next few months.

Watch this space.