Jaguar is a well established British sports and luxury car manufacturer, world renowned for producing premium cars.
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Jaguar Car Reviews
Jaguar Overview
Brief History
Jaguar began as the Swallow Sidecar Company in Blackpool, England back in 1922. Started by Bill Lyons and William Walmsley, both motorcycle enthusiasts, they went on to produce a variation of the Austin 7, called the Austin 7 Swallow in 1927 and moved to Coventry the following year.
By 1931 they were able to enter the market with their own vehicles designed by Lyons, the SS I Coupe and the SS II. The success of these cars led to the formation of S.S. Cars Ltd, but Walmsley left the company. After World War II SS had negative connotations so the name changed again to Jaguar Cars Ltd.
The company went on to produce a number of successful sports cars, such as the XK 120 and E-Type, both in a commercial and racing sense. The XK 120 featured a twin overhead cam, 3.5-litre, 6 cylinder engine. It was originally intended for a production run of 200, but the car’s popularity kept the model going until 1954.
In 1966 British Motor Holdings was formed from the merger between Jaguar and the British Motor Corporation (BMC). There was another merger in 1968 with Leyland to form British Leyland Motor Corporation before financial difficulties led to its nationalisation in 1975, with the company changing its name to British Leyland.
After being floated as a separate company, Jaguar was bought by Ford in 1990. Under Ford the product range offered expanded, with models such as the S-Type and X-Type. In 2008 Jaguar was bought by Tat Motors, for whom it remains a subsidiary today.
Model Range
XJ
The Jaguar XJ series began in 1968 and continues until this day. The new XJ was unveiled in 2009 and is offered with either a 3.0 litre V6 diesel or 5.0 litre V8 petrol engine. There are two variations, a standard and long-wheel based version. It is a luxury vehicle which brings the kind of prestige associated with the Jaguar badge, with its quality finishing and sleek design.
XF
The XF is a large executive vehicle introduced in 2008 to replace the S-Type. Its design comes from the C-FX, a concept car created in 2007. It is highly revered, winning What Car? Best Executive car for four years running, from 2008 to 2011. It is available with the same engine choices as the XJ, as well as an additional - more economical - 2.2 litre diesel.
XK
The new XK, now in its second generation, is available as either a coupe or convertible. The designer of the new model was also responsible for the Aston Martin DB7 and Vanquish. This grand tourer comes with a 5.0 litre V8 in both styles.
R-Series
Jaguar has created R-series version of both the XK and XF, featuring a supercharged version of the 5.0 litre V8 engine. Jaguar claims that the new XKR is the fastest production car they have ever manufactured.
F-Type
The Jaguar F-Type is Jaguar's sports car for the 21st century and the spiritual successor to the legendary E-Type of the 1960s. Available with both 3.0-litre V6 and 5.0-litre V8 supercharged engines, the F-Type offers sensational performance and handling, and drop-dead gorgeous looks.
