2001 Jaguar Xj8 Vaden Plas, on 2040-cars

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2020 Jaguar XE First Drive Review | The outlier's unusual charms

ST. TROPEZ, France — It's tough out there for compact sports sedans, even top contenders like the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Jaguar resorted to a big-winged, bestial XE Project 8 that toppled a Nurburbring record to try and gain some attention, but the regular 2020 Jaguar XE will have to attain relevance on its unwinged charms against stiff German competition. We piloted the updated underdog through jagged hills above coastal France to see how its improvements stack up. For 2020, the XE receives a few subtle but effective styling tweaks — a resculpted front bumper, a wider and more purposeful grille, and a rear bumper with slimmer LED tail lamps that make the backend appear wider and more aggressive. Aerodynamic efficiency is slightly improved or equal to the previous model, depending on equipment. But the cabin receives more critical updates, specifically a much-needed upgrading of interior materials and trim. While higher-quality materials lend the XE a distinctly more luxurious feel, also welcome is a 12.3-inch driver display screen, Jag's familiar InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system (optional), and modern features like a wireless phone charging pad and a new steering wheel with updated illuminated controls. Small touches like wider, softer armrests, posher seat coverings, and more spacious door pockets also elevate the passenger experience — although the rear seats are tight at the knees and head for my 5'11" frame. Speed freaks and diesel fanatics will be disappointed to learn that the XE's engine options have, in Jaguar's words, been "rationalized" for 2020, dropping the 380-horsepower supercharged V6 and 180 hp four-cylinder turbodiesel. The only available engines for 2020 are both carryover units: the turbocharged 247 hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder (dubbed the S / P250), and the R-Dynamic S / P300, which is essentially the same mill with a bigger turbo producing 296 hp. Expect 0-60 mph times of 6.2 and 5.4 seconds, respectively. All-wheel drive is optional in the P250 model ($39,900 or $41,900 with AWD), and mandatory with the P300 ($46,295). Click the gear selector into Drive, and the cabin feels quiet and well insulated as the XE accelerates. There's a noticeable, but not enormous difference between the P250 and P300's acceleration.

'New' continuation Jaguar XKSS to debut in November in LA

Jaguar announced on Tuesday two important debuts for Jaguar Classic's continuation models, the Lightweight Jaguar E-Type and the new XKSS. In November, the Jaguar XKSS continuation model will make its debut in California to coincide with this year's LA Auto Show. The company revealed the plan to build nine of these cars a few months ago in order to complete the original production run. That run began in 1957 when Jaguar began building road legal versions of unsold D-Type race cars. However, production stopped short when a fire at the Browns Lane factory destroyed the remaining cars. Jaguar explained that the company will use what they learned from developing the Lightweight E-Type continuation series, and Jaguar Classic employees will build these XKSS models to the original specifications. If you had your heart set on ordering one to fulfill your Steve McQueen fantasy, you're out of luck. All nine have already been sold. View 46 Photos In addition to the XKSS public reveal, the 2015 Jaguar Lightweight E-Type will soon make its competition debut. The car in particular is chassis number 15, one of the six continuation cars, and it will compete in the Jaguar Classic Challenge race on July 9 at this year's Le Mans Classic. Another automotive icon will be behind the wheel of this iconic sports car. Top Gear presenter and automotive journalist Chris Harris will pilot the E-Type at Circuit de la Sarthe alongside an array of other vintage Jaguar race cars. Like the XKSS continuation cars, the Lightweight E-Types were also built to finish their respective production run. And although these continuation cars are only a couple of years old, they are identical to the originals and are thus FIA compliant for historic racing. Related Video:

Jaguar testing facelifted XJ in UK

Europe's flagship luxury sedans don't go through their lifecycles quite as quickly as other models need to, but with the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class hitting the road, Jaguar must feel it's time for a little update for its XJ sedan. And as these spy shots demonstrate, that's just what it has in store.
Falling firmly in the subtle-facelift category (as opposed to the full refresh), the placement of the camouflage on this new XJ appears to be hiding new fascias front and rear. Reshaped bumpers, trunk lid, grille and air apertures seem to be part of the impending facelift, but for better or worse, those black rear pillars seem to be staying put.
While Jaguar's at it, we can expect some updates to the cabin as well, with upgraded infotainment, ambient lighting and such. But don't go expecting anything radical at this stage. The XJ has been on the market for about four years, and it'll be another few before it demands a complete overhaul.