JAGUAR NEWS

New Cam System Set for 2010 V8 Engines

Model Year 2010 Jaguars powered by the AJ-V8 Gen III 5.0L engine will get a BorgWarner Cam Torque Actuated (CTA) variable valve timing system, the technology supplier revealed today. Included in the bunch are 2010 Jaguar XK/XKR coupes and XF/XFR sport sedans.

While VVT may be a technology used by almost all manufacturers today, the BorgWarner unit takes a different approach with its technology. Rather than use the traditional method of oil pressure to activate camshaft phases, the BW system captures existing torsional energy in the valvetrain to phase out cams. It's a movement similar to a hydraulic ratchet's, the manufacturer states.

Jaguar's featuring the CTA are said to have increased fuel economy, reduced emissions output and an increase in horsepower. Figures detailing the improvements in each category have yet to be disclosed.

The automotive supplier first debuted the variable valve technology in Ford's Duratec 3.0L V-6 employed by the 2009 Escape. It will also find its way on the 2010 Fusion and Mercury Milan.

Source: BorgWarner

Jaguar has reportedly tapped Lotus to aide planning and design on it's rumored new small convertible sports car, now said to be dubbed the XE. Lotus. duties are identified as configuring the aluminum chassis as well as judging the production reality of the lightweight roadster.

Plans for a small Jaguar sports car that would be lighter and more nimble than the XK series were hatched during Ford ownership with the F-Type Concept, first shown nine years ago. More recently, rumors suggested that rather than a small sports car, Jaguar would instead produce a supercar in the vein of the 200 mph-plus XJ220. Now, those reports appear to be unfounded as more evidence piles in for a smaller car to go head-to-head with the likes of BMW's Z4, Porsche's Boxster, and Mercedes-Benz' SLK. If signed off, the XE could appear as soon as 2011 or 2012 at the Geneva Motor Show with a version of the 5.0-liter V-8 employed in the new XFR and XKR.

According to sources cited by Autocar, the model will compete directly with the Porsche Boxster and Mercedes-Benz SLK and will be slightly shorter than the current XK coupe. Ratan Tata, owner and chairman of Jaguar, has put his full support in such a halo car that he believes will portray a "new face" to buyers.

"Putting exciting projects on the back burner is the thing we should not do," Tata said to Autocar. "Certainly we must attend to business by doing our utmost to cut costs and reduce time-frames, but above all we must ensure that we come out of this slump ahead of where we were -- with exciting cars like the roadster that show where we want to go."

Lotus. other involvements with Jaguar included chassis tuning and development of the 200-unit run XKR-S -- work that would also benefit the 2010 XKR.

Source: Autocar

Jaguar, like the rest of the auto industry, is going through some rough times, if you hadn't already noticed. But unlike most other automakers, Jaguar's recent tale (no pun intended) as early as last spring began with profitability, a flood of hiring, and a gung-ho attitude towards upscale product development. Late last year, however, the world's economic troubles began to trickle into the West Midlands, U.K region and the automaker had no choice but to lay off around 850 of its supports staff. Another 500 were later eliminated by voluntary buyouts.

On January 14th 2009, Jaguar announced a second round of cuts due to a "severe" fall in demand. Fifteen percent of managers -- or around 300 positions -- will be laid off and an additional 150 salaried workers will also lose their jobs. No bonuses are planned for 2009, with pay increases for managers to come at the earliest by October 1. Company officials are continuing their push for government loan funding to help kick start buyer confidence and maintain company stability.

"We don't expect sales conditions to return to normal levels for some time," Chief Executive David Smith said.

Emanating from U.K. publications recently was Jaguar's dedication to developing an all-new sports car heralded by company owner Ratan Tata to show the brand's "new face" to consumers. Whether such an image car is too little too late, or if it will even be produced, has yet to be determined. But, safe to say, if the money is there to build it, it wouldn't hurt.

Source: Reuters

Despite a 75% sales plummet in the U.S. market over the past six years, Jaguar announced its global sales have increased by 8% over last year amidst a worldwide economic slump. In 2008, the United Kingdom overtook the U.S. as Jaguar.s biggest market, a fitting return for the British-based (but India-owned) automaker.

The company attributes its sales increased by 50% in Russia, 35% in the Middle East, and 25% in the burgeoning Chinese market.

Jaguar is also quick to put the success on the XF, a car which garnered much praise at our 2009 Car of the Year feature. This year, the company will introduce a performance variant of the new sedan, the XFR, and a refreshed version of the XKR performance coupe, both with 510 hp supercharged V-8 engines.

Source: Jaguar, Automotive News