Search the Community

While the spotlight has been on crossovers and their upcoming EV, Jaguar is still committed to building sports cars. “The F-Type has been a huge success. We love sports cars – and I use the plural quite deliberately. Whether that is delivered by a body variant or something else remains to be seen, but for now let’s just say that the body type is very important for us,” said Hanno Kirner, the person overseeing product strategy at Jaguar Land Rover. Emphasis mine. Jaguar only has one sports car at the moment - the F-Type. But according to Autocar, a second coupe being the successor to the XK (departed Jaguar's lineup in 2014). Some of their evidence comes from comments made by Jaguar’s head of design, Ian Callum last year. “I want a two-seater [the F-Type] and a 2+2. We’re working on something now. There’s nothing approved, but we instigate in design.” Reportedly, Callum's team completed a design concept for an XK replacement but was scrapped when Jaguar killed the XK. Autocar says this new successor to the XK isn't expected until after 2021. Part of this comes down to a new modular platform that is currently being worked on and will debut on the next-generation F-Type - due in 2019. This new platform is reportedly flexible enough to do a 2+2 coupe. Jaguar's Ingenium engine family will provide power for both models and expect some hot versions, including an SVR variant down the road. There is also talk about electrification, but that appears to be a long way out. Source: Autocar View full article

Range Rover sits as Land Rover's crown jewel by providing the ability to go anywhere with a number of luxury amenities. But would Land Rover consider adding a model to sit above the Range Rover to take on the likes of the Bentley Bentayga and Rolls' upcoming SUV? "It would strategically be the wrong thing," said Joe Eberhardt, CEO of Jaguar Land Rover North America. "That car defines the Land Rover brand and the Range Rover family; it is really the epitome of that line, and to dethrone that would not be the right move." Eberhardt explained that by adding a new model to sit above the Range Rover would only hurt the equity in the name. He used the example of Mercedes' Maybach debacle from the previous decade. "That never worked for a whole number of reasons, but one of them was, what does that say about the S class?" Eberhardt said. "And they have — from my perspective — fixed that now by saying, 'Well, within the S class there's actually the highest execution of it that happens to be called Maybach that doesn't sit on top of the S class; it's an extension of it.' " Instead, Land Rover will create "bespoke iterations" of the Range Rover that will allow them to compete with the ultra-luxury SUVs. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

Back in the spring, we reported that the fate of the XJ flagship was uncertain due to comments made by their North American product manager. But it seems there will be another generation of the XJ. Speaking with Car, Jaguar's director of design Ian Callum revealed that work has begun on the next XJ. "We’ve gone through a lot of debate on the XJ and come up with something quite special," said Callum. "I won’t say when it’s coming but it’s not next year." The last line is important as 2018 will mark the 50th anniversary of the XJ sedan. Callum wouldn't divulge any other details about the XJ. Car reported last year that the XJ could transition to an electric model using the platform that underpins the upcoming i-Pace EV. Source: Car View full article

2016 was supposed to be the year when the current Dodge Journey would head off into the sunset and a new version would appear, using the CUSW platform that underpins a number of FCA vehicles. But a source tells Automotive News that the current Journey will continue for a couple more years. The source explained the 2017 and 2018 Journey will retain the JC body code. In FCA's internal model nomenclature system, the vehicle's body code only changes when it is redesigned for a new platform. Why is FCA extending the lifecycle of the Journey? Redesigning the Journey would have meant production of the vehicle would have moved from Toluca, Mexico to either Sterling Heights, MI or Belvidere, Illinois; homes to 200 and Dart. But with FCA outsourcing production of the next-generation Chrysler 200 and Dodge Dart - models that use the CUSW platform - has caused the company to rethink their overall strategy. A spokeswoman for Dodge declined to comment. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) Pic Credit: William Maley for Cheers & Gears View full article

Rolls-Royce announced this week that they are busy at work on a new model that will debut by mid-2016. In the press release, the company is hinting that the new model will be a convertible, most likely being the Ghost/Wraith. "The car will build on the success of Phantom, Ghost and Wraith by continuing to boldly shape the future of the marque with contemporary, graceful and sensuous styling. It will deliver effortless, open-top touring through the perfect marriage of modern Rolls-Royce luxury, style and elegance with an engaging and exhilarating driving experience," the British Automaker wrote in a press release. Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös adds, "We are currently developing an exciting and thoroughly contemporary interpretation of a pinnacle drophead tourer which will introduce even more discerning men and women to Rolls-Royce ownership." Source: Rolls-Royce William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at william.maley@cheersandgears.comor you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. Press Release is on Page 2 ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS CONFIRMS DEVELOPMENT OF NEW MODEL The manufacturer of the world's pinnacle super-luxury automobiles today confirmed the development programme for a new Rolls-Royce. The new car will reach the market by mid-2016. The car will build on the success of Phantom, Ghost and Wraith by continuing to boldly shape the future of the marque with contemporary, graceful and sensuous styling. It will deliver effortless, open-top touring through the perfect marriage of modern Rolls-Royce luxury, style and elegance with an engaging and exhilarating driving experience. Speaking from the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, West Sussex, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, "I am truly delighted to confirm today the development of our new model which will open an exciting new chapter in the great story of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. We are currently developing an exciting and thoroughly contemporary interpretation of a pinnacle drophead tourer which will introduce even more discerning men and women to Rolls-Royce ownership." Peter Schwarzenbauer, Chairman of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, welcomed the announcement, saying, "The announcement of a new Rolls-Royce model is always a seminal moment in the automobile industry. When it arrives in 2016, this elegant and sensuous new car will build on the success of our current models and will play a key part in fulfilling Rolls-Royce Motor Cars' commitment to long-term sustainable growth." The new car is currently undergoing a rigorous process of prototype testing as it enters its next stage of development. View full article