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2014 Jaguar XFR-S super sedan is 550-HP worth of cool

The 2014 Jaguar XFR-S was considered last year, teased last week and now has been totally let loose. The most powerful sedan the company has ever made and the newest addition to its line of R-S performance cars - following the XKR-S - and we'll be getting even fewer of them than we thought. 200 had been the rumored allotment for the US, but the official word now is that we'll see just 100.
Each XFR-S will use the same 5.0-liter supercharged V8 that powers the XKR-S, meaning a 40-horsepower and 41-pound-foot bump over the XFR for 550 hp and 502 lb-ft in total. Shifting through the adaptive, eight-speed ZF transmission gets it from standstill to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, but for all that, it gets the same gas mileage as the XFR, aided by its stop/start system, and so doesn't get hit with a gas guzzler tax.
Other XKR-S bits have made the jump, including an upgraded suspension front and rear, the near-straight pipes for the cracking exhaust note we drank up like ambrosia and twenty-inch, six-spoke lightweight wheels that are an inch wider than on the XFR. Lateral stiffness is up 30 percent, the electronic systems have been recalibrated to handle the extra oomph, throttle response has been sharpened and can be made even sharper by going into Dynamic Mode.

Jaguar Land Rover opens first overseas factory in China

Anyone who's a car fan knows that Jaguar and Land Rover cars and trucks all come from the UK. And while we don't doubt that will remain true for the most part, it won't be an absolute truth for long, as the British automaker has just opened its first factory overseas.
Its new plant in Changshu, China, is the result of a $1.8-billion joint venture between JLR and local automaker Chery. It covers some 4.3-million square feet and will, once at peak capacity, produce 130,000 units specifically for the Chinese market, where JLR sells over 100,000 vehicles each year to make it the company's single largest market worldwide.
Production at what's officially known as the Chery Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Company will start with the Evoque, of which one in five globally are currently sold in China. Production will eventually encompass three models. We already know that the Discovery Sport will be next, but the third model line has yet to be announced. JLR has confirmed, however, that the Changshu plant will produce unique models and derivatives specifically for the Chinese market, so we wouldn't be surprised to see a long-wheelbase version of the forthcoming XE or next-generation XF assembled there to satisfy local tastes.

Jaguar F-Type greets US, shows off range of personalization

While the debut of the XFR-S is likely fresh on everyone's minds and browser windows, the other big story of late at Jaguar is the F-Type coupe and convertible. Originally unveiled in Paris, the LA show was the first opportunity that the sub-XK performance machine will be seen Stateside. However, it was not just the same news that we first heard in Paris, as Jaguar used LA to showcase its newly available "Black" design pack.
This styling package includes gloss black finishes for the grill surround, side vents, a flat-bottomed sport steering wheel, gloss black interior touches, and instrument panel rings. This package is available with Ultimate Black, Polaris White, Italian Racing Red, Rhodium Silver, Grey and Firesand (seen above) body colors.
The Black pack can be had on either the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 model, or the 5.0-liter supercharged V8 version. Specific additional "Black" tweaks are available based on which derivative you select. Specifically, a gloss-black rear valence is a V6-only modification.