Jaguar awarded Visteon Corporation (NYSE: VC), a leader in driver information technology, with the development of an advanced instrument cluster for the all new Jaguar XK.
The instrument cluster features an advanced high-resolution 3.8-inch colour quarter Video Graphics Array (VGA) display based on thin-film transistor (TFT) technology.
Visteon designed the Jaguar XK instrument cluster to deliver enhanced vehicle information to the driver while delivering superior styling. Featuring a large TFT screen, the cluster allows Jaguar to differentiate its driver information interface through function, features and appearance.
The instrument cluster houses two main round dials in chrome and tube design. White gauges with green illumination are placed at either side of the advanced high-resolution display, which is based on TFT technology capable of 262,144 colours. Using a powerful 32-bit processor, three multiplex networks and the graphics controller, the high quality 256-color display is split into several zones to allow easy access to driver information such as vehicle body functionality, gear selection, cruise control information or tire pressure warning.
The Jaguar XK TFT instrument cluster combines minimalist design with state-of-the-art functionality. The cluster has been developed by Visteon engineers based at Visteon's technical centre of excellence for electronics in Basildon, United Kingdom.
Visteon also offers a LCD builder tool which eases definition of display content. The tool supports a more efficient implementation of the different displays and screen layout variants during the development of the instrument cluster. This offers a major benefit as it allows the car manufacturer to personalise and implement display changes during the development phase, while eliminating manual specification and data coding errors.
Other Visteon technologies on the Jaguar XK include the starter control unit manufactured at Visteon's Cadiz plant in Spain, the Satellite Radio System supplied by Visteon Altec (Mexico), the complete cooling module which is manufactured in (Basildon, UK) and chassis components (Swansea, UK).
Offering innovative technologies supported by global manufacturing and integration expertise, Visteon delivers advanced and cost-efficient solutions to the increasing electronics content in the cockpit and at the overall vehicle level.
Visteon Corporation is a leading global automotive supplier that designs, engineers and manufactures innovative climate, interior, electronic and lighting products for vehicle manufacturers, and also provides a range of products and services to aftermarket customers. With corporate offices in Van Buren Township, Mich. (U.S.); Shanghai, China; and Kerpen, Germany; the company has more than 170 facilities in 24 countries and employs approximately 50,000 people.
Source: Visteon Deutschland
Friday, October 26, 2007
Visteon Supplies Advanced TFT Instrument Cluster on the New Jaguar XK
Jaguar XJ diesel wins best luxury car in the 2006 fleet world honours
The Jaguar XJ has picked up the award for Best Luxury car in the 2006 Fleet World Awards for a third consecutive year. The trophy was presented at a special ceremony held at the Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall on Thursday 18 May.
The awards are judged by a panel of experts representing the leasing industry, fleet managers, motoring journalists, residual value guides and Fleet World’s own editorial team. The judges took several factors into account, including residual values, maintenance costs, reliability, driver appeal and manufacturer back-up. The judging panel is chaired by industry professional, George Emmerson, who has managed fleets at IBM, NHBC and Black Horse Agencies.
Managing Director of Jaguar in the UK, Geoff Cousins said: "We are honoured to win this award for the third year running, and particularly pleased that it is the diesel engine that has impressed so soon after going on sale in September last year. With XJ sales up almost 40% on last year in the UK, and 55% of these are diesel sales, introducing a diesel derivative to the XJ range has certainly been a great success."
In the UK, the Jaguar XJ boasts just over 20% share of the large luxury segment and has historically outsold all of its major competitors since launch in 2002. Growing sales figures in 2006 demonstrate that the XJ is a car that continues to attract more and more buyers.
Commenting on the award, George Emmerson said: "To a fleet manager the term 'Luxury Car' often means the car for the Managing Director over which fleet managers often have little input. However, the Jaguar XJ is a popular choice for the very senior staff and being a previous winner of this segment, fleet managers can have no qualms whatsoever regarding anyone choosing this vehicle as it is a truly first-class package in every respect."
Recently, the Jaguar XJ Diesel travelled just over 1,000 miles on just one tank of fuel on a journey from John O'Groats to Land's End. The distance is 840 miles, but the XJ kept going to 1000.2 miles before the tank ran dry – the average fuel consumption hitting 53.5mpg* which equates to 139g/km of CO2. This remarkable achievement is testament to the XJ's inherent technological strengths, which include advanced aluminium body construction and a state-of-the-art twin-turbocharged V6 diesel engine.
Additionally, the XJ was recently voted Best Large Executive Car at the Auto Express Used Car Honours for 2006, where judges were particularly impressed with resale values, reliability, specification and availability.
In April, the sound-deadening technology 'Vibramount' fitted to the XJ Diesel and supplied by Avon was nominated for an innovation award at the Automotive News PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contributions to Excellence) Awards in New York. 'Vibramount' has helped the XJ Diesel gain its reputation for world-class smoothness and quietness by countering engine movements to eliminate vibration and noise. Refinement has been improved whilst allowing ride and handling to be optimised.
From the introduction of the XJ 2.7 litre V6 turbodiesel engine to a host of other groundbreaking advances for every model, such as acoustic laminated glass and Bluetooth wireless connectivity, the new 2006 XJ will keep Jaguar at the forefront of the premium saloon market.
The XJ 2.7 TDVi costs from £43,995 on-the-road – petrol engines are also available.
*Readings from the Jaguar on-board computer.
After setting off from John O’Groat’s with the XJ’s 18.7 gallon (85-litre) tank full, the team of five rotated driving duties between them every 60-90mins and the XJ was always carrying a passenger for safety.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
2008 Jaguar XJ leaps out of embargo box in advance of Geneva
by Mike Floyd
Jaguar is refreshing its new XJ for the 2008 model year, with the automaker giving its top cat a few minor sheetmetal updates and other upgrades in advance of its next major reworking -- rumored to be for the 2010 model year. XJ is slated to hit the Geneva show stand next week.
Most of the changes occur up front, with a new-look grille, bumper, air inlet and fog lamps all part of the facelift. Out back, squint hard and you?ll see a small rear spoiler added (probably not wind-tunnel tested we?re guessing) as the main enhancement. Fender gills have also been added to the mix. New exterior colors to dress up its aluminum chassis will also be available. Inside, the major update is reworked seats designed to improve driver and passenger room. Improved entertainment options are also rumored to be part of the package.
Engine choices remain the same, but expect that to change when the new XF sedan becomes available, roughly around same time the new XJ arrives. According to AutoWeek, Jag is reworking versions of the present 4.2-liter V-8, with the supercharged version pushing some 420 horsepower. There is also talk of a range-topping 5.0-liter V-8 for the R-badged XF (likely for the XJ as well) that will feature some 500 horsepower. Rumors have also suggested the next-generation XJ will finally ditch the same basic design it has featured for multiple iterations and take on several major design cues from the upcoming XF.
Stay tuned to MotorTrend.com for more on the refreshed XJ and the rest of the Geneva Motor Show world debuts as they happen, March 6-7.
Proteus might build classic Jaguar C-Type coupes
by Rory Jurnecka
Replicar builder Proteus is thinking about doing a car that Jaguar never did, if all goes to plan. Having been in the classic Jaguar C-Type and D-type replica producing business for 21 years, the automaker is contemplating turning a "what if" into reality in the form of a C-Type Coupe. Jaguar only made open top versions of the two-time Le Mans-winning C-Type (built from 1951-1953), leaving Proteus to wonder what kind of market there might be for a closed variant.
Recently acquired by Enduro, a rival C-Type replica manufacturer, Proteus will be showing a half scale model of its proposed Coupe at Race Retro, a historic motorsports show held in Coventry, England this weekend. Based partially on initial customer reaction to the design, the company will then decide whether or not to produce the car. A closed C-Type would likely have much greater torsional rigidity than the open car, which could lead to sharper handling and a better ride. But who really needs a logical reason to build it when it's absolutely gorgeous?
Enduro has recently made headway in the U.S. market, opening a retail and service center in Irvine, CA.
Jaguar adds updates to 2008 XK and X-Type
by Rory Jurnecka
Jaguar has revamped its XK, XKR and X-Type for the 2008 model year, breathing some fresh life into its flagship coupe and entry-level sedan.
The XK has been treated to styling enhancements only -- a concealed antenna, revised door switches, new column stalks, and a Piano Black veneer that surrounds the instrument console and shift gate. More aggressive changes have been saved for the big-brother XKR, with new 20-inch wheels, standard Premium Surround Sound, a heated front windscreen, and alloy-finish pedals. Optional on both models are a selection of features that were previously only available on the Portfolio Special Edition, including 20-inch Cremona wheels, a Bowers & Wilkens 525-watt stereo, and an Alcon high-performance brake package.
The X-Type sedan has been sharpened visually with a bright mesh grille, a Jaguar trademark. Two new colors also are available: Porcelain White and Blue Prism. The real changes, however, are in the items added to the list of standard equipment. Leather seats, 17-inch alloy wheels, Dynamic Stability Control, Bluetooth, folding rear seats, and the Auto Clear View Pack (including rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamps, and an auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror) are all included in the X-Type's base price. A new optional S Sport package also is available, incorporating 18-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, rear spoiler, and body-colored grille surround.
Jaguar's recent marketing philosophy is to focus on offering well-equipped, upscale automobiles rather than selling cars in huge quantities. We hope it works, and Jaguar may not have much to lose, either -- it's not as if it was doing much of the later beforehand
Jaguar reportedly pulling plug on X-Type in the U.S.
by Rory Jurnecka
There was just one thing that bothered us about our recent article on Jaguar's facelifted 2009 X-Type this morning: Jaguar mentioned release dates for the U.K. and Europe, but not for the U.S. Now we apparently know why.
According to a recent AutoWeek report citing sources within the company, Jaguar will be yanking the X-Type from its stateside lineup at the end of its 2008 model-year run. Designed as an entry-level model, the X-Type hasn't had an easy run of things on U.S. soil. Since its debut year in 2003 when the X-Type sold some 5,000 examples, sales have steadily nose-dived -- this despite worldwide sales figures in excess of 250,000 since the vehicle's launch.
Jaguar is counting on the upcoming XF sedan to compensate for both lost X-Type and S-Type sales when it debuts early next year as a 2009 model. A 300-horse, 4.2-liter V-8 and a supercharged 420-horse 4.2-liter will be North America's only engine choices when the XF hits showrooms.
There will be few lamenting the demise of the X-Type stateside. It had many critics who derided it as nothing more than a re-skinned Ford Mondeo, on which the car was based. And with the competition in the U.S. sport sedan segment as fierce as it is, the car needed to stand out from the get go, which it failed to do. With the demise of both the X and S-Type here, the battlefield has been prepped for the XF, a car that is critical to the company's future success -- no matter who ends up owning it.
Anyone out there going to miss the X-Type?
Sunday, October 07, 2007
2009 Jaguar XF
By the Road & Track Staff
Blends sports-car performance with the luxury and comfort of a sedan.
Jaguar's new XF sedan is labeled a 2009 model but will make its way into owners' hands in March 2008. The objective for the XF, according to chief program engineer Mick Mohan, was to create "a bold, striking, contemporary sports saloon [sedan]; a 4-door, 5-seater that blends sports-car performance with the luxury and comfort of a sedan." The XF is powered by Jaguar's 4.2-liter V-8 engine in naturally aspirated (300 bhp) and supercharged (420 bhp) forms. Both engines mate to a 6-speed automatic shift-by-wire transmission with the all-new JaguarDrive Selector rotary knob on the center console, and steering-wheel-mounted paddles for sequential operation.
The Jaguar XF replaces the retro-style S-Type sedan. Design Director Ian Callum has jumped Jaguar into modern styling with the XF, creating a coupe-like profile on this roomy sedan. The XF is a bit larger than the S-Type, and the heritage styling found in the hood, the headlamps and the grille will be the design model for future Jaguar cars too.
The XF in the U.S. market will be offered in three trim levels — Luxury, Premium Luxury and Supercharged — and you can expect every sort of electronic control system from parking help to adaptive cruise control.
Pricng for the car has been released in the United Kingdom, with base models equipped with either a 2.7-liter diesel V-6 or 3.0-liter gasoline engine costing 33,900 pounds (nearly $68,000). The 4.2-liter V-8 model is listed at 44,500 pounds ($89,000) and the SV8 with the supercharged 4.2 engine, is priced at 54,900 pounds ($110,000). While current exchange rates are hoving around two pounds per dollar, don't expect this S-Type replacement to cost more than the current XJ. Those prices include Europe's Value Added Tax (VAT). Most likely, the pricing of the XF will range somewhere between $50,000 and $80,000 for the three versions.
