2009 Jaguar Xf Supercharger Sunroof Nav Rear Cam 39k Mi Texas Direct Auto on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Jaguar unveils Vision Gran Turismo electric race car for 'Gran Turismo Sport'

We've driven some hot Jaguars, one of our favorites being the deliciously fast, all-electric I-Pace. Unfortunately, that car costs around $70,000 to start. Too rich for your blood? Jaguar has designed an all-electric race car specifically for PlayStation 4's "Gran Tursimo Sport." Called the Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo Coupe, you'll be able to take this performance EV for some virtual hot laps soon. It'll be available for download late next month, but first, it's getting broken in by competitors in Sony’s Gran Turismo World Tour event at the Tokyo Motor Show this week. The latest in a series of virtual concept cars, from a variety of automakers, this Jaguar designed its Vision GT from the ground up as an all-wheel-drive EV, inspired by the historic C-Type and D-Type, but with modern technology from its I-Type 4 Formula E and I-Pace eTrophy racers. Its three electric motors are good for a total of 750 kW (1,005 horsepower) and 885 pound-feet of torque. That'll launch the car to 62 miles per hour in less than two seconds. Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo Coupe View 15 Photos Though the Vision Gran Turismo is a virtual vehicle, Jaguar put a lot of thought into the design and materials. It's made from carbon-fiber composites and aluminum alloys, and if it were real, it'd weigh 3,086 pounds. Thought was given to aerodynamics, down to the car's deployable wing to balance drag and downforce. "This was the dream project for a car designer, creating a futuristic sports car for Gran Turismo means our designs and ideas could be truly limitless," said Oliver Cattell-Ford, exterior designer, Jaguar Advanced Design. "It has to excite future generations and most importantly, look and feel unmistakably Jaguar.” If you like to use the cockpit perspective when gaming, you won't be disappointed, as Jaguar paid attention to interior details as well. Chris Shaw, interior designer, Jaguar Advanced Design, said of it, "The architecture is visually lightweight, simple, and dramatic; featuring advanced and experimental materials and finishes.Sitting in the stunningly considered cockpit and looking out onto the gracefully long bonnet of the Jaguar Vision GT Coupe — a view that is unmistakably Jaguar — the player will be fully immersed in the action.” It even features hologram technology for displaying information, with augmented reality digital side glass that can alert the driver to dangers outside the vehicle.

Weekly Recap: The divergent paths of Tesla and Fisker

There's no doubt that Tesla is downshifting while Fisker has been grinding its gears. But it wasn't always that way.
In the wake of Tesla's recent success, it's easy to forget that there were once two California electric carmakers with bright futures.

Jaguar is ready for the future, and its cars look the part thanks to Ian Callum

There are few living legends in the car business. Jaguar design director Ian Callum is one of them. The longtime stylist announced Tuesday he's stepping down after a decorated career that's seen the resurgence of Jaguar and its again superlative design. Callum, who turns 65 in July, has overseen Jaguar design for 20 years and shepherded it from an era of mediocrity and uncertainty to success with its current lineup of eye-catching products. The brand's 1990s and 2000s cars, led by the haggard X-Type, were too-often forgettable. But in the last decade, Callum has completely flipped the script, returning Jaguar to its sports-car roots with the F-Type while embracing the new period of electric vehicles and crossovers. "Yesterday I told my team I was leaving as Design Director for Jaguar after 20 years. I've done what I set out to do. Time for a new adventure. I pass the baton onto my good friend and great designer Julian Thomson...." Callum tweeted Tuesday. Thompson, a 19-year veteran of Jaguar takes the reins from Callum, who is staying on as a consultant. The move takes effect July 1. As Callum notes, it's not a retirement, though he didn't elaborate. "Given the strength of both our products and the design team I feel that now is the right time to move on, both personally and professionally, and explore other design projects," he said in a statement. The Scottish-born designer studied at the Royal College of Art and was steeped in the tradition of Jaguar and British cars. He had every reason to resist change. He didn't, instead evolving his dream job into an instrument of evolution, and today Jaguar has the most well-rounded portfolio in its history. With EVs like the I-Pace the brand has an elegant and efficient car capable of taking down Tesla, while the F-Pace and E-Pace crossovers are bringing Jaguar to a new kind of customer. "In my view, the World Car Design of the Year winning F-Type, F-Pace and I-Pace – true game changers – are perhaps his greatest achievements. I believe they will be future icons," Jaguar Land Rover chief executive Ralf Speth said in a statement. Through it all, Callum never lost focus on Jaguar's sense of purpose. Along with Aston Martin, McLaren and Rolls-Royce, Jaguar holds a place in Britain's car culture and broader identity. He recognized when Jaguar rolled out a sports car openly tapped as the successor to the E-type – and then called it the F-Type – it carried the weight of history on its aluminum chassis.