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Weekly Recap: Automakers rethink the definition of luxury

Variety is the spice of life, but it's becoming a prerequisite for luxury carmakers in the ultra-competitive US market. The Detroit Auto Show was strong evidence of this reality. It's not enough to offer attractive and well-appointed cars and SUVs anymore. Luxury brands that want to be competitive need to invest in everything from high-powered supercars to clever hybrids. To be relevant, you need to be green and mean – and everything in between. As General Motors product chief Mark Reuss said after the reveal of the 640-horsepower Cadillac CTS-V: "We are not leaving anything on the table." He was speaking for Cadillac, but he might as well have been speaking for the luxury car market. The CTS-V debuted in Detroit about an hour after Lexus surprised showgoers with the reveal of the RC F GT3 race car and then announced ambitious plans to return to competitive racing. That almost overshadowed the fact Lexus had just revealed another potent addition to its growing F line, the 467-hp GS F. View 20 Photos But for luxury brands, it's not just about maximum horsepower for well-heeled enthusiasts or decadent amenities for the Grey Poupon set. Strong competition from all corners has forced automakers to refine and expand their lineups in ways unforeseen even a few years ago. Case in point: Mercedes-Benz finally has an answer to the BMW X6, rolling out the GLE coupe in Detroit. The X6, which blends coupe-like styling cues with some of the functionality of an SUV, debuted in 2008. Back then it was a punchline, but seven years and more than 260,000 sales later, the X6's success has compelled Benz to respond. Mercedes – one of the strongest proponents of diesel technology – also debuted the C350 plug-in hybrid sedan, which promises a range of 20 miles on electricity, though fuel economy figures were not announced. The car pairs Mercedes' well-received 208-hp turbocharged four-cylinder with an electric motor for total output of 275 hp and 443 pound-feet of torque. Meanwhile, Infiniti will add the Q30 hatchback to its lineup by the end of the year, new president Roland Kruger reiterated in Detroit. It's expected to be joined by a crossover variant, and the additions will help strengthen Infiniti in the United States and abroad. "While we're expanding our product line, we're also expanding our market reach," he said. That's something echoed by Jaguar executives, who are preparing to launch the brand's first crossover, the F-Pace, in 2016.

Lister says it'll tune F-Pace SVR into the world's fastest SUV

The Jaguar F-Pace SVR is fast. Blisteringly fast. With its 550-horsepower, five-liter V8 it will hit 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds and go on to 176 mph. That sounds like the perfect blank canvas for Jaguar outfitter Lister, doesn't it? Known for its Jaguar-based race cars and road-going specials, Lister has built some legendary cars in its time. Now, accompanied by the teaser image the company's account tweeted yesterday, Lister says it'll build the world's fastest SUV out of the F-Pace SVR. It'll actually have to be really, really quick, as several sports utility vehicles now hit 60 mph in well under 4 seconds. The Tesla Model X P100D does that in 2.9 seconds with Ludicrous Mode selected, thanks to its electric grunt. On the fossil fuel side of things, there's the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, which relies on the 707hp Hellcat V8 to reach 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. That number is matched by the Lamborghini Urus, and another Italian, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio can get to 60 in under 4 seconds. Beat all of those, Lister, and the throne is yours. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Earlier in an Autocar interview, Lister's Lawrence Whittaker claimed the Lister-tuned SVR will have as much as 670 horsepower, a good hike up from the stock vehicle's power figure. Reportedly 250 units will be built. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Image Credit: Lister Cars Jaguar Crossover SUV jaguar f-pace lister jaguar f-pace svr

Has the Jaguar XKR-S Sportbrake leaked out early?

Want to haul ass down the Autobahn with the whole family and all their gear in tow? Forget that Porsche Cayenne or Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 - what you'll want is a power wagon: something like an Audi RS6 Avant or Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Estate. Unfortunately there are precious few of these performance station wagons on the market anywhere, especially with American offerings like the Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon on its way out and the Dodge Magnum SRT8 long gone. But there's a new challenger emerging.
That'd be the Jaguar XFR-S Sportbrake, a hi-po estate from Coventry that's been a long time in the making. And now it's apparently almost here. (Only by "here," we mean "there," as it's not likely ever to come to the United States.)
Apparently set to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show is a Frankenstein-style cross between a Jaguar XF Sportbrake and XFR-S performance sedan, taking the best elements from both. From the former, that means the extended roofline that gives it the cargo capacity of a small crossover. From the former, that means a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 producing 542 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque, driving the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.