1973 Jaguar Xke 2+2 Coupe on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Stirling Moss' Jaguar C-Type could bring $7.5M in Monaco

With little over 50 examples made and a decorated racing history, the Jaguar C-Type is one of the most sought-after models ever made by the famous British marque. Bonhams has a very special one coming up for auction – one that Sir Stiling Moss drove at Le Mans in 1952. Jaguar built chassis number XKC 011 for its works racing team in 1952. It made its debut at Silverstone at the hands of pre-war racing legend Peter Walker. Then the factory outfitted with specially elongated bodywork for Le Mans, where Moss teamed up with Walker to split driving duties. Sadly it didn't make it to the finish line thanks to an engine failure, marking the second of eight DNFs that Moss would suffer in ten campaigns at the French endurance race. Moss drove this C-Type in several more races after it was converted back to its standard bodywork. It was then raced by Ecurie Francorchamps before being sold to run in British club racing. The current owner acquired it in 1963, and has held onto it until now. XKC 011 is scheduled to highlight the upcoming Bonhams event at the Fairmont Monte Carlo during the Monaco Grand Prix Historique next May. Bonhams has not published a pre-sale estimate for how much it expects this example to sell for. However in correspondence with Autoblog, the company's auction specialist James Knight revealed: "We certainly feel the car will exceed GBP5m and has the potential to achieve much more." That base estimate works out to over $7.5 million at current exchange rates. We'll be watching to see whether the final sale price comes closer to the $3.7 million for which - according to the Sports Car Market database - Gooding sold one C-Type in 2012, or to the $13.2 million which RM Sotheby's raised for another this past August. Related Video: BONHAMS RETURNS TO MONACO WITH EX-STIRLING MOSS JAGUAR C-TYPE THE MONACO SALE 'LES GRANDES MARQUES A MONACO' 13 May 2016 Monte Carlo In 2016, Bonhams will return to Monaco to present an exclusive sale of just 40 hand-picked, exceptional motor cars. Timed to coincide with the Monaco Grand Prix Historique, the sale will take place on 13 May 2016. "Already renowned in motorsport circles for its annual Monaco Grand Prix and Monte Carlo Rally, the glittering Mediterranean Principality is now to host the Bonhams Monaco Sale," said James Knight, Bonhams Group Motoring Director. "The auction will be carefully curated, tailored to offer only the most desirable models to the market.

Jaguar XE promises to net 'over 75 mpg,' just not for us [w/video]

With around a month away from its world debut on September 8, Jaguar continues to issue a constant drip of updates about its upcoming XE compact luxury sedan that's aiming to take on the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4. Where the company's last bit of info focused on the car's suspension setup, this time Jag's putting the spotlight on the new model's modular platform and making some big promises about it, too. How big? Try over 75 miles per gallon big.
That's the headline figure that Jaguar is claiming for its new sedan, but it's keeping mum on just what powertrain will realize that figure. Furthermore, that result is on the European test cycle, which is more lenient than America's EPA testing regime. In any case, when the XE hits the road, Jag says it will be the most efficient vehicle from the company, ever.
That's thanks in no small part to the aluminum-intensive monocoque chassis underpinning the sedan. It's constructed from a new grade of the lightweight metal called RC 5754 that uses a high portion of recycled material. "The Jaguar XE body uses over 75-percent aluminum content, which far exceeds any other car in its class. This gives us a body structure with unrivaled low weight: it's light but also immensely strong with extremely high levels of torsional stiffness," said Dr. Mark White, Jaguar Chief Technical Specialist; Body Complete.

GM, Audi, Jaguar halt Russian sales amidst ruble's collapse

The value of Russia's ruble currency has sunk like a stone tossed in the Volga for much of the year, losing over 40 percent of its worth since June. The change is having bizarre effects on the auto industry there and leaving some automakers scrambling to adjust. According to Bloomberg, Russians are buying up luxury goods including automobiles at the moment to have a physical investment in case the ruble sinks further. However, with the money worth so little, the companies aren't making much from these transactions. Things are so dire that several automakers are temporarily ending deliveries until the situation stabilizes. According to Bloomberg, General Motors stopped sales on December 16 with no set date to start again. Audi did the same thing but with the intention to resume once it has adjusted model pricing. Jaguar Land Rover terminated business until December 19 to see how things changed. Toyota is increasing its pricing, as well, but keeping business open at the same time. Some automakers have subtly been reacting to the slumping Russian auto market all year. The moves have included Volkswagen cutting production by 30,000 units from its factory in Kaluga. Ford also got rid of 950 workers from two plants due to low demand. Some analysts have even speculated that the contracting industry and possibility of lower import duties into the country could cause companies to end their manufacturing in Russia completely.