Jaguar’s facelifted XF spied by a reader

Jaguar’s XF is facing up to the competition with a new, smaller diesel engine. The downsized unit should markedly increase the XF’s appeal in its core European market, which will be boosted by the arrival of an estate model by the end of the year.

The new unit is part of the XF facelift, spied here at Banbury services by reader Richard Thomas. It will see the Ford/PSA-developed 2.2-litre oil burner added to range. The engine has been revised for its new application in the XF and the new Range Rover Evoque, where power has been upped to 187bhp.

To ensure that the engine is as clean as possible, it features stop-start technology and drives the rear wheels through the slick ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox which debuted in the Range Rover TDV8. The firm may also offer the lower power 148bhp unit which emits less than 130g/km.

Complimenting the new engine is revised front and rear end styling, which will bring the car’s looks into line with the new XJ.

The facelifted model is set to arrive at the New York motor show, while the diesel models and the wagon are likely to follow at its European debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in the autumn.

For an alternative review of the latest Jaguar XF visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uK

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Dave Leggett Bristol Cars

Bristol Cars. The Blenheim model, aah. "A dignified express travel for four six-feet persons and their luggage" was how it was once described in the company literature. It harks to a bygone era maybe, but Tina Turner, Sir Richard Branson and Liam Gallagher are among the firm's past customers. You can kind of imagine Liam telling his mates how cool a Blenheim is to drive. 'It's like see-un-shine-ee on ee-effing whee-als'. Certainly not a cliched car; distinctive for sure.

But let's face it, the company kind of lost a reason to exist, however misty-eyed we may get about a heritage that goes back to a west country firm that made aircraft in the 1940s. Privately owned Bristol Cars has always been a bit of a mystery, bashing out a handful of models every year and somehow surviving. But Bristol is currently in administration.

That said, there's a brand there. And some expertise, surely. Would a big boy come in for it? I doubt it. But I'd love to believe some enthusiasts with a bit of passion, appropriate business expertise and funds could somehow make it work. Keith Adams is a guy who I have plenty of respect for...     

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Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Specs and Price: Turning Point

We recently reported to you about Italian supercar manufacturer Lamborghini’s new offering, the Aventador LP700-4. Today we have some more of their magic to show you with their Sesto Elemento.

The carbon based exotica was first seen at last year’s Paris Motor Show, and many felt wrongly that it could be the replacement for the Murcielago LP640, according to an article by James Edwards of Insideline. It is powered by a V10 engine pushing out 570 hp, but because it is made from almost entirely carbon fiber it will reach 62mph in only 2.5 seconds.

It also has a top speed of over 200mph, and its performance is mainly down to its weight, which is only 999kg. The front end of the bodywork has been made from just one piece of carbon fiber, and even the exhaust and suspension are made from the material.

TopSpeed have a Lamborghini press release about the car, and are reporting that the Sesto Elemento will go into production as a track only special unfortunately. According to a report by Automotive News only 5 to 10 will be built, and could cost you a cool $3,500,000.

 

Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann has recently suggested the Estoque four door model is getting closer to production, according to a recent article on Insideline. They also have the Sant’Agata in the pipelines as the replacement for the Gallardo, and there is speculation of an entry level Lamborghini which could be called the Cabrera. There has been talk of the Aventador model line to eventually have Super Veloce and Spyder variants.

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US state approves “dead red” law

Motorcycle riders in Kansas, USA, could find their journey times cut after state lawmakers approved a bill that would allow motorcycle riders to go through red lights.

Under the unusual proposals, bikers would be able to ride through a red traffic light if their vehicle was not heavy enough to trigger the underground weight sensors that activate the lights system.

The law, dubbed the “Dead Red” law, reads: “The driver of a motorcycle or a person riding a bicycle facing any steady red signal, which fails to change to a green light within a reasonable period of time because of a signal malfunction or because the signal has failed to detect the arrival of the motorcycle or bicycle because of its size or weight, shall have the right to proceed subject to the rules stated.”

The law will mean that motorcyclists and cyclists will no longer have to wait at a junction because a traffic light control system has failed to recognise them.

The bill, which had some opposition, has yet to pass in the state and could yet be defeated. Despite receiving approval, the law is combined with a proposal to ban the state from increasing the current $5 fine for car drivers who do not wear a seatbelt.

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First Drive: Vauxhall VXR8 Auto

 

Overall rating: 3 3 3 3 3

Vauxhall has long filled a (tiny) gap at the top of its range for a thundering V8 saloon car by shipping Corvette engined Holdens over from its unhinged Australian relations. This latest car offers more of the same tyre-BBQ-ing power, with 425bhp from its 6.2-litre V8, but somewhere on the boat the price has increased, meaning this new VXR8 isn't quite the bargain its predecessors were.

Key Facts

Pricing: £51,200
Engine: 6.2-litre V8 petrol
Transmission: automatic, rear-wheel drive
Body style: four-door saloon
Rivals: BMW M3/M5, Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG, Audi S6
CO2 emissions: 324g/km
Combined economy: 21mpg
Top speed: 155mph (limited)
0-62mph: 5.0 seconds
Power: 425bhp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 405lb.ft at 4,600rpm

In the Metal: 4 4 4 4 4

Sitting very much alone at the top of the Vauxhall line-up the VXR8 is like nothing else wearing the Griffin badge. First of all, it's big; the massive saloon is more suited to the wider roads of Australia than the narrow roads that criss-cross Britain. In the absence of Australian sun this example brings its own thanks to bright yellow paint, reiterating the point that this isn't a car for wallflowers.

That yellow is neatly contrasted with black details, including the intakes, grilles and wheels. It works, giving the VXR8 visual menace to match its brutish power. Inside it's all very black, with the plastics feeling mainstream rather than premium, which is a problem given its pricing and theoretical rivals.

Driving it: 4 4 4 4 4

Anything with 425bhp is going to be fun to drive and the VXR8 doesn't disappoint. It'll reach 62mph in just five seconds and strain against its 155mph limiter all-day long if you're passing through Germany - or at least until the fuel runs out. The big V8 engine doesn't really get into its stride until around 4,000rpm, where it turns from merely fast into something seriously potent. Mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox it's easy enough to just leave it in drive and hang on as all hell breaks loose when you floor the accelerator. The gear selector is the right way round too - with upshifts requiring a tug back and downshifts a prod forwards - but that compensates little for the lack of paddle-shifters on the steering wheel.

There's a magnetic damping system that helps the VXR8 ride decently, but even so the chassis lacks the sophisticated feel of its European rivals. That there's an oversteer meter among the numerous option screens in the centre console speaks volumes though, the VXR8 feeling like slightly old-school muscle car in its manners. That's fun, but on tight country roads you need your wits about you, mainly because of the VXR8's size and relative lack of sophistication. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as the VXR8 is always exciting.

What you get for your Money: 2 2 2 2 2

You can look at the VXR8 in one of two ways. Either you're getting a mighty engine and performance for your money, or you're buying a very expensive Vauxhall. The VXR8 used to fall very much into the former category, but a recent price jump to over £50,000 sees it competing more readily with some serious European super saloons. Good and fun as it is, that competition is too tough for the Aussie brute to match.

Worth Noting

The Vauxhall VXR8 is not available as an estate, but if you like your mad performance mated with practicality then you could always have the Monaro. It's a ute (utility, pickup) version of the VXR8 for builders in a serious hurry. Just try putting a wheelbarrow in the back of your M3...

Summary

'Niche' barely covers the VXR8's appeal, which, although offering M3 and C 63 AMG like performance, is a leftfield choice. Not least because of its mainstream badge, which fails to cut it against German rivals. As it used to sit price-wise it made some sense, but you'd have to really want something different to opt for it now it's more than £50,000. We applaud you it you do, but we'd spend our money elsewhere.

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