Spy Shots: Jaguar XF-R

The sporty XF-R spotted during testing by the spy photographers. Jaguar's current XF line-up includes 2.7L V6 diesel, 3.0L V6 petrol, 4.2L V8 petrol and a 4.2L supercharged V8 petrol. The majority of these models have received much praise from the motoring press with Jaguar’s XF bettering many of its German rivals in test comparisons. Not bad for a manufacturer on the sale.

It's still unknown what will power the premium XF although it can probably be narrowed down to two options. A rework of the current 4.2L supercharged engine is not out of the equation, in its current guise it is good for 416bhp and a prodigious 560Nm of torque. However the Germans are regularly pumping 500+hp now out of the super saloons. It must also be noted that the SV8 XF is equipped with this very engine so customers will be expecting something special for the R model. The basic architecture of the 4.2L V8 is traceable all the way back to the 4.0L unit first introduced in 1997 so it is getting on a bit now. It is therefore debatable whether Jaguar engineers can wring any more horsepower out of this ageing powerplant.

This leads to the second and more probable option. Jaguar and Land Rover have jointly been working on a replacement for their V8 engines for some time now. Rumor has it that a number of Land Rover models have been spotted with upgraded engines recently. This engine is likely to be a Direct Injection petrol V8 of 5.0 litres in capacity. As Land Rover use reworked versions of the Jaguar V8 in its models, it would be fair to assume that both manufacturers will be receiving this new DI 5.0. This unit should be good for 500hp in supercharged form.

The XF-R model is expected to debut at the London Motor Show this summer followed by a station wagon/estate and a possible convertible.

Gallery: Jaguar XF-R Spy Shots

Tata to Spin Off Jaguar, Buy Land Rover

While the sale of the Jaguar and Land Rover has not been completed yet, Tata is preparing to make major changes at the companies. According to sources speaking with InsideLine, Tata purchased a 450-acre swath of land in Gurgaon, outside of New Delhi, for the explicit purpose of building Land Rovers. The source said that "... Jaguar will be spun off almost immediately."

British labor unions supported Jaguar’s sale to Tata over rival bids from Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra and an American private equity firm. Both companies could eventually attempt to buy Jaguar from Tata should these reports become true.

Ford announced Tata Motors was the preferred buyer of Jaguar and Land Rover back in January and the sale could be completed in the next few weeks.

Tata To Sign Memorandum On Sale Of Jaguar This Month

Ford and Tata are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the sale of Jaguar and Land Rover in late February or early March. Ford has reportedly agreed to continue supplying engines and components, and Tata to accept the pension arrangements. The final issue is Ford's discussions with British auto workers unions. The unions don't have any problems with the deal between Ford and Tata, but they haven't agreed anything to with Ford neither.

The sticking point appears to be that Ford has only given verbal guarantees, and the unions want those guarantees locked in for the next few years, presumably in writing. Until then, the unions won't recommend accepting the deal. Aside that Tata has signed off on both Land Rover and Jaguar's business plans through 2012, which means the F-Type could finally go into production.

Jaguar Has Plans For F-Type, Two-Door XF And Four-Door XK

Jaguar isn't just sitting and waiting around to see how its future is going like. The premium English automaker plans to move ahead with new product development. We've already seen spy shots of the next flagship XJ sedan, and heard rumors of a new Porsche 911 rival sportscar. New reports now suggest that Jaguar executives have begun coordinating with their bosses gonna be's at Tata about some new models.

Although Tata is not in a position to sign off on the development of new models at this point, it reportedly likes the sportscar project. The Porsche rival will be reportedly basing off the XF's steel chassis. Jaguar also presented its hosts with plans to make a two-door coupe version of the new XF sedan. Lastly, a plan was presented to lengthen the XK coupe and add two more doors to build its own rival to compete with Aston Martin's upcoming Rapide. This last development contradicts earlier reports that suggested the next XJ sedan would adopt the four-door-coupe approach, offering instead that the new XJ would include more interior space than the model it replaces.

Breaking: Tata To Take Full Stake In Jaguar And Land Rover

It's reporting that Tata will be going for an outright purchase of Jaguar and Land Rover when the buyout of the two automakers from Ford completed. It was originally assumed that Ford would still maintain a minority stake in both luxury marques, as it did with the sale of Aston Martin to Prodrive last year. But the automaker has determined that the Tata is well equipped to take over both brands entirely.

We're wonder if Tata has the infrastructure to supply Jag and L.R. with the necessary components, from drivetrains to switch knobs. We'll know more when the deal is sealed in the coming months.

Rumored: Jaguar Planning 911 Rival

Jaguar is definitely on the move these days. As if it's not enough working on the all-new XJ flagship sedan to keep the transitioning British automaker busy, there are some rumors that Jaguar is preparing a proper sportscar, more hardcore than the XK grand tourer.

The car you see above is the F-Type roadster that Jaguar unveiled at the Detroit show in 2000. Unfortunately, Ford PAG to cancel the program, but Jaguar is reportedly preparing to present the case to its new owners. However, while the F-Type would have competed with the Porsche Boxster, Jaguar is said to have its sight set on the elusive benchmark of the Porsche 911 for its newest sportscar.

Three Bidders Remain For Jaguar/Land Rover

Although Ford says no announcement will be made about what company will end up with Jaguar and Land Rover until 2008, Automotive News says that three bidders remain in the running.

India's Tata Motors, and Mahindra & Mahindra and U.S. private equity firm One Equity Partners are all still interested, but Tata looks to be the most likely candidate to own Jaguar and Land Rover.

The Birmingham Post had expected an announcement saying Tata Motors will pay as much as $2 billion for Jag and Land Rover. But a Ford spokesman tells Business Week that the company won't say anything about a possible deal until after the new year.

Breaking: Tata Confirmed To Buy Jaguar And Land Rover

English Birmingham Post newspaper reported that Tata Motors will be named the winning bid for Jaguar and Land Rover. Neither the seller, Ford, nor the buyer, Tata, have confirmed that an announcement has made, and in fact Ford has repeatedly said that a buyer will not be named until early next year.

The British paper reiterates the same estimate we've heard before, that Tata will be doling out around £1 billion, or $2 billion USD, for the right to own these two storied brands.

Jaguar Unveils Facelifted 2009 X-Type

Jaguar has unveiled a freshened X-Type sedan and wagon for the '09. On sale in the UK in March and other European markets in April, the car boasts around 500 changes inside and out. The styling has been updated to better emulate the XJ sedan, adopting a similar grille with the "growler" cat badge. The area below the front bumper has been cleaned up and likewise, the rear end has been modified with the addition of the full-width metallic strip and a new typeface used for the X-Type name badging. The instrument cluster has been modernized and new trim elements are available.

Gallery: 2009 Jaguar X-Type