Spy Shots: Jaguar XF "Sportbrake" wagon caught in the wild

It was confirmed over the summer that Jaguar was working on an XF wagon, and now the spy photogs at KGP have caught it testing. We've been told it's called the XF Sportbrake, and it's hard to pin down the exact lines in back with those bulging light units, but it should make itself right at home in the handsome XF line.

This car will begin the expansion of Jaguar's lower-end offerings as it tries to win over the buyers that have been lining up for Audi and Mercedes wagons. The last time Jaguar had an entry level load-lugger, the unlamented X-Type Estate. The XF Sportbrake, even with the swirlies and disguised taillights, already looks promising, and we know from experience that the 2012 XF sedan is a terrific driver.

Don't get too excited about it, though, because it's not heading Stateside. Jaguar's U.S. VP of communications released this statement:

Today in the news from the UK, Jaguar Cars confirmed the ongoing development and testing of a new Jaguar XF derivative, the Jaguar XF Sportbrake (a sport wagon). No vehicle information is being released at this time. Please be aware, the Jaguar XF Sportbrake is not scheduled to come to North America due to significant design changes that would be required to meet U.S. federal regulations.

So there. You can admire it from afar in the attached photo gallery, at least.

http://www.carsbase.com/photo/Jaguar-X_Type_Estate_mp25_pic_48397.jpg

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/26/jaguar-xf-sportbrake-wagon-caught-in-the-wild/

The world’s cheapest car gets a revamp

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-15815850

The world's cheapest motor car, India's Tata Nano, has been given a makeover, after disappointing sales since it was launched in 2009.

The 2012 Nano will be available in more colours and have more luxurious interiors, as part of an effort to rejuvenate its appeal.

The manufacturers also say the car will be more fuel-efficient.

Tata motors, which makes the Nano, also manufactures British luxury cars Jaguar and Land Rover.

The modifications were made after feedback from Nano owners, Tata Motors' India operations director, PM Talang, is quoted by AFP news agency as saying.

The engine will be increased by three horsepower to 38 and the company says the inside of the car will be quieter.

The car's makers say they hope the new model will help to increase sales. The price of the car will remain the same.

Last December it was reported that sales of the Nano had plunged by 85% compared with a year earlier.

Analysts pointed out that a series of fires in the Nano may have contributed. Tata offered free safety upgrades for the model.

It was launched in 2009, amid great fanfare as a car costing just 100,000 rupees ($1,979; £1,366). Tata owner Ratan Tata described it as a "milestone" at the time.

————

3 horsepower up to 38 ..3?

cheap ass crap that will break down within 2 years..but you can get cool colours..

401

http://seeker401.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/the-worlds-cheapest-car-gets-a-revamp/

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Arizona to Guatemala: Driving a Defender 110 OUT of the U.S., part 2

Phase 2: Southeastern Mexico

 

Not long after driving through the southern foothills of Pico de Orizaba, we dropped down to the expansive sea-level marshlands in the state of Tabasco. The majority of the autopista through these parts was a raised roadbed. We were now hoping to slow down our pace in order to visit some Mayan sites. But before that, we made a quick stop off at Parque Museo La Venta in the town of Villahermosa, Tabasco. This is one of the premier collections of Olmec artifacts, in a lakeside-jungle setting in the heart of the urban city center. From what I learned the Olmecs pre-dated the Mayans, did not construct many large temples/pyramids, but did carve huge stone statues (notably, giant heads).

A modern statue in a fountain at Parque Museo La Venta.

 

Many of these statues were moved to this museum from surrounding areas, and displayed outdoors along paths through a dense jungle crawling with coati. When deep back on these paths, one would think they were in a remote jungle – were it not for the occasional honking of horns & engine noises coming from the cars on the crowded city streets a few hundred meters away.

Several examples of the huge Olmec stone statues.

I was in some of these places about 20 years ago, so it's neat to see how things change over time. 

More: http://www.expeditionportal.com/adventures/featured-adventures/551-arizona-to-guatemala-driving-a-defender-110-out-of-the-us-part-2.html

Report: Marchionne says Jeep Wrangler will only be built in Ohio

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Jeep, Off-Road

The Jeep Wrangler is as much American icon as the Ford Mustang or Chevrolet Corvette, and Toledo, Ohio is rightly proud of its off-roader. If it's up to Sergio Marchionne (and it is), Wrangler production won't happen anywhere outside the northern Ohio town.

Allpar reports that at the event announcing the $1.7 billion investment to develop the next-gen Jeep Liberty, the Chrysler CEO also confirmed that the Wrangler will always be built in Toledo, adding that it's "unthinkable to assemble a Wrangler somewhere else."

While Wrangler production won't leave Toledo, production there remains limited to around 160,000 vehicles annually. The Wrangler's assembly plant was never designed for expansion, so increasing capacity would be an expensive proposition. 

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/19/marchionne-says-jeep-wrangler-can-only-be-built-in-ohio/

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Land Rover

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aODSv98aAZw&sns=em

The B-Specs Keep Coming! Mini Joins the Fray with Turn-Key Cooper Hardtop Race Car

Mini has announced that it, too, will get in on the new B-Spec racing action with a race-prepped Mini Cooper Hardtop. Mini USA has partnered with Mini of Charleston, South Carolina, to offer B-Spec–compliant turn-key Cooper race cars. Like most of the other participating automakers, Mini will also sell Spec-ready conversion kits for those who already own a 2007-2012 Mini Cooper and have the racing itch.

Who knew small, cheap race cars with their own competitive racing class would catch on? The 2012 SCCA, Grand Am, NASA, and World Challenge seasons haven't begun yet and already the B-Spec field is crowded. The Mini B-Spec racer, per B-Spec regulations, is mostly stock—its engine produces the same 121 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque as a normal Cooper. It gets required safety equipment like a roll cage, racing seat and harness, and a window net. The Mini rides on KW V1 coil-overs and the brakes get heavier-duty pads and braided lines. Finally, the Cooper rolls on a set of itty-bitty 15-inch alloy wheels and Hoosier racing slicks. Like Mazda, Mini backs amateur race drivers with its Motorsport Awards Program, which awards cash prizes for racing successes.

Mini USA will announce pricing for both the racing kits and the fully prepped, turn-key Coopers closer to the start of the 2012 racing season. In the meantime, the company will show off a B-Spec prototype at this week's L.A. auto show. We don't know about you, but the Car and Driver office is geeking out over a racing series for inexpensive, buzzy little hatchbacks.

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/RPRaZK3ivhg/

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Watch the US Fiat 500 Abarth Unveiling

Watch the US 500 Abarth launch today at 1:35 p.m. PST/4:35 p.m. EST. Make sure you bookmark this site and tune in a little early to get a good seat!

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Fiat500USA/~3/j52Cy4rogc4/watch-us-fiat-500-abarth-unveiling.html

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“I’m a driver. I’m a winner. Things are gonna change, I can...

"I'm a driver. I'm a winner. Things are gonna change, I can feel it.

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/thisisnthappiness/~3/QyO9SfmaPTE/12888071713

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Gory German work safety video is ironically NSFW [Video]

Before they start making you drive a forklift at your factory job, watch this video. Otherwise you might not know how you're about to brutally murder all of your coworkers. As usual, it's the hard-nosed Germans to the rescue in this ironically NSFW video. More » 

http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/jalopnik/full/~3/KuS63qIqYqc/gory-german-work-safety-video-is-ironically-nsfw

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BRD Taking Pre-Orders for the RedShift

BRD Motorcycles has announced it is accepting pre-orders for the RedShift, an electric design that engineers claim will challenge top-end 250cc motocross bikes.

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/1/11534/Motorcycle-Article/BRD-Taking-Pre-Orders-for-the-RedShift.aspx

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F1: Hamilton Leads Wild P2 At Abu Dhabi

Lewis Hamilton was the fastest man in Friday's second practice at Yas Marina Circuit while two of his top rivals found trouble...

I'm having a hard time staying interested in F1 anymore...

http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-lewis-hamilton-leads-wild-p2-at-abu-dhabi/

Three Days In With The V8 Vantage

Driving the Vantage for the better part of the work week, I’ve found that my lists of “likes” and “dislikes” is far different that it would have been after just one day. Like any new car experience, some of the things that strike you as strange when you first climb behind the wheel start to fade after a bit, and new loves/peeves crop up to fill your consciousness. Most of these, good and bad, are little things that are hard to notice until you’ve been in a car for a few days; I’ll deal with the big picture stuff in more detail later.

Still one of my favorite cars...

Winding Road | Blog: Three Days In With The V8 Vantage

Kwikasfaki GSX-R400 Kawasaki H2 750 Custom

A couple of comments on the Kawazuki post pointed out another Suzuki frame with a 2 stroke transplant, and after a quick look at the photos, this one, "Kwikasfaki," is simply a lesson in how to do it right.

Kwikasfaki GSX-R400 Kawasaki H2 750 custom

A couple of comments on the Kawazuki post pointed out another Suzuki frame with a 2 stroke transplant, and after a quick look at the photos, this one, "Kwikasfaki," is simply a lesson in how to do it right. The entire build is documented in a very long (60 page) thread on the Custom Fighters forum with lots of in progress pictures.

Kwikasfaki GSX-R400 Kawasaki H2 750 custom

The major pieces are a GSX-R400 gk76a frame, GSX-R upside down forks, an R6 swing arm and a Kawasaki ex-drag bike H2 750 triple engine. The wheels are brand new Dymags that he found on eBay with the tires. Very nice.

Kwikasfaki GSX-R400 Kawasaki H2 750 custom

If you want all of the details I suggest you start going through the build thread, but the bottom line is this is a really superb project. Excellent work!

Thanks to Justin and Talon for the pointer to this bike.

Link: Custom Fighters Kwikasfaki build thread

http://www.topix.net/motorcycles/2011/11/kwikasfaki-gsx-r400-kawasaki-h2-750-custom?fromrss=1