New Jaguar cars revealed

Jaguar showed off their new generation XK and XF ranges at the North American International Autoshow, Detroit.

The new Jaguar XK has new 3.0 Litre V6 Diesel engine, new exterior and a redesigned interior.

The range comprises three models: the XK, XK Portfolio and supercharged XKR, and each are available in Coupe or Convertible body style.

The new 510 PS 5.0 Litre AJ-V8 GEN III R supercharged engine is said to be Jaguar's most powerful and efficient ever.

The new XF range are available with the naturally aspirated version of the new 5.0-litre petrol V8 and the new 3.0-litre V6 diesel engines (in two versions -500 and 600Nm).

Extras include a 7-inch Touch-screen, Portable Audio Interface, Driver Information Centre and the industry-leading JaguarDrive Selector used to control the all-new ZF 6HP28 six speed automatic transmission.



According to their press release, the new XF Diesel S model has a powerful 275PS engine and goes from 0-60mph speed in just 5.9 seconds. Available as Premium Luxury and Portfolio models. It was interesting to note that the maximum speed is electronically limited to 155mph.

If you are worried about the green credential (if you really are, why don't you drive a Prius) the average fuel consumption in both models is 42.0mpg and has a CO2 emissions rating of only 179g/km.

The new XFR - XF's new sporting flagship model, has two new generation 5.0 litre V8 petrol engines that goes from 0-60mph in 4.7 seconds. The AJ-V6D Gen III engine - available in either 240PS/500Nm form or 275PS/600Nm 'S' features parallel sequential turbochargers to help deliver the high levels of power and torque. The engine is coupled with a six-speed ZF 6HP28 automatic transmission.

Of course you don't buy a Jaguar just to drive fast. There's the comfort and craftsmanship. The new Jaguar cars offer a wider choice of veneers and trim colours. For audiophiles, a Bowers and Wilkins 440W surround sound system with portable audio interface and DAB radio is also included.

The new XK and XF range will be on sale from March 2009.

Fire exhausts on cars

Many times so many had thought of spit flame in cars. But it is not much popular in India. But in foreign countries we know that this tech is not a big matter. The flame throwers are one those simple kits that spit flame through your exhaust system. The kit comprises of a control box and a spark plug, here is how the flames are produced, through a pulsing spark plug ignites the unburnt fuel in the exhaust system.

Its a simple concept of igniting unburnt fuel present in the exhaust system. By an ignition bypass procedure the car's ignition is shut down for fuel to pass through the cylinders to reach the exhaust end and the kit ignites the unburnt fuel spitting out flames. This type of method usually have the fuel mix with oil hence having to change oil earlier than usual or rather often.


The other method is by having a line run from the valve through the exhaust system to the end of the pipe and have the spark to ignite the fuel sprayed through the line having more controlled flames. I am not a great fan of flame throwers though but something that I would like to see on show cars only and not on regular street cars.

Tags: Fire on cars, split flames, flames, exhaust system, fire exhaust.

Related topics:

Click here for Technology of mono suspension in bikes

Working of clean Diesel fuel