5 Comments Jaguar's Hot Winged XFR-S Sneaks

 

For the past couple of weeks, Jaguar has been feeding us samplers of its upcoming XFR-S through cropped pictures, but there's no more need for that as the first complete images of the brand's fastest and most powerful sedan ever made their appearance online.We will have the opportunity to see the car in the flesh and learn everything there is to know about its technical specifications tomorrow during its world premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

For now, we can tell you that it will likely be offered with a tuned version of Jaguar's supercharged 5.0-liter V8, producing around 540 to 550 horses.

These new images also reveal the XFR-S' more aggressive bodywork that includes a redesign front bumper incorporating larger vents and carbon fiber trim, with the same material also found on the grille, more prominent side skirts and a large rear wing.

In addition, the flagship model of the XF series, of which only 200 examples will be sold in the U.S., rides on a new set of wheels while Jaguar's designers painted all the car's bright chrome trim in a dark finish.

 

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Cam-Shaft Proposes New Transparent Polyurethane Foil to Protect Your Car's Paint

As they say, nothing lasts forever and from the moment your vehicle rolls off the assembly line, the decay process begins.

And while there's no to stop your vehicle from being damaged by the elements of nature or human hand, German foil specialist Cam-Shafthas a little something that promises to offer an additional layer of protection and delay the process.

That something is a new transparent foil that covers and protects the most exposed parts of a car's body. Unlike conventional color wraps, this new adhesive foil is not made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), but PU (polyurethane), which the company says is a softer and more absorbent material originally created for the airline industry to protect propellers and rotor blades from foreign objects.

Cam-Shaft adds that, the new foils are characterized by their "extremely high transparency" and provide "nearly invisible protection while achieving a fantastic depth effect of the original paint".

The film comes in a width of 152cm or 59.8 inches, meaning that it can cover much larger surfaces than traditional laminations, while it has a material thickness of 150μ.

"With the previously known foils it was only possible in half-width and thus an unpleasant film edge was visible in the middle of the engine hood," says Cam-Shaft.

To showcase the PU wrap, Cam-Shaft used the material on a Porsche Carrera GT on which the engine hood, the front bumper, the complete (two-part) fenders, the lower side skirts and the carbon entrances were laminated.

 

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Toyota Motorsport GmbH Teases Lexus LS TS-650 Ahead of Essen Motor Show Debut

Remember the muscular Lexus LS prototypeprepared by Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) that our spies nabbed racing around the Nürburgring track last year?

Well, Toyota's motorsport division has finally made the decision to reveal the car in front of the public for the very first time at this month's2012 Essen Motor Show in Germany, which runs from November 30 to December 9.

TMG made the announcement on its Facebook page and released a handful of teaser images, though, it stopped short from providing any information about the car and what it plans to do with it in the future.

Nevertheless, our spies had not only secured clear images and even a video of the Lexus LS TMG Edition on the track (watch the clip here), but also the preliminary spec sheet, which revealed at the time that the car is powered by a 5.0-liter engine capable of reaching 9,000 rpm and delivering 650-horses and a peak torque of 710Nm (524 lb-ft).

We'll keep you updated with any new information as soon as we hear and confirm it.

 

 

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New 2014 Jaguar XFR-S World Premiere Confirmed for the LA Auto Show

Next week's Los Angeles Auto Show will host the world debut of the XFR-S, Jaguar confirmed today. The wildest version of the British firm's mid-size saloon will be joined by the U.S. premieres of the new F-Type roadster that will be displayed for the first time in Black Pack performance trim and the 2013 Range Rover.

"This year’s Los Angeles Auto show is one of the most significant U.S. shows in years for Jaguar Land Rover as we introduce three breakthrough new products," said Jaguar Land Rover North America President, Andy Goss.

"The new Jaguar F-TYPE, Jaguar XFR-S and all new Range Rover will all make a major impact, specifically in the United States, which will be the world’s largest market for all three vehicles," he added.

Jaguar hasn't disclosed anything about the XFR-S, but recent spy shots reveal that, aside from a modified 5.0-liter supercharged V8 producing around 540hp or about 40hp more than the regular XFR, the flagship performance model will gain an aggressive body kit, complete with a huge rear wing.

 

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McLaren Unleashes Limited Run 630HP MP4-12C Can-Am GT Priced at £375,000

Right before the U.S. Formula 1 Grand Prix held during this weekend at Austin, Texas, McLaren announced that the Can-Am concept, which was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance last summer as a design study for a more extreme, track-focused version of the MP4-12C, will enter a limited production run.

The track-only Can-Am model was developed by McLaren GT, the Woking-based automaker’s racing division. It is inspired by the GT3 racing version and, according to the company, “pays tribute to Bruce McLaren and Denny Hulme who successfully raced a series of McLaren models in the Can-Am series”.

Like the racer, it features an aggressive aerodynamic package that increases downforce by an impressive 30 percent. It consists of a prominent front spoiler and a huge rear wing, made out of carbon fiber, of course, as are the engine cover vents, side radiator intakes vanes, door mirror mounts and covers, sill covers and badges.

The McLaren MP4-12C GT Can-Am will also feature forged lightweight racing alloy wheels finished in black satin paint and shod with Pirelli racing tires.

In the cabin, a FIA-approved race-spec full rollcage is fitted along with black race seat, six-point seatbelts and a steering wheel “borrowed” from the GT3 racer, which is derived from this year’s MP4-24 F1 car. Despite being touted as a track-focused supercar, the Can-Am foes feature a special air conditioning unit that’s integrated in the racing car-like carbon fiber dash.

The good news for prospective clients is, not being a true racer, it does not have to comply to certain regulations that are meant to even out the playing field between the competitors.

Thus, the mid-mounted 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 will be unrestricted and, thanks to its unique calibration and optimized cooling system, it will pump out up to 630HP, which makes it the most powerful MP4-12C yet.

The bad news is that it’s not homologated for road use, so its owners will be able to enjoy it only as a track-day car.

Managing Director of McLaren GT Andrew Kirkaldy commented:

“The 12C Can-Am Edition concept shown at Pebble Beach earlier this year was purely that, a one-off design study. However, the reaction and response following the unveiling was remarkable. It is a real testament to the performance and results of the McLaren GT customer teams this year, still only in the debut competitive season, that there is such a strong demand for this type of track-day special.”

McLaren stated that the 12C GT Can-AM will be built in “no more than 30” examples starting March 2013, each of which is priced at £375,000 (US$595,600 or €467,500 at today’s exchange rate).

You can watch a short video of the 12C Can-Am concept in the video that follows the jump.

 

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GM Talks More About the 2014 Corvette C7's Design and New 6.2-liter Small Block V8

 

It's going to be a painfully long wait for Corvette and car enthusiasts alike until Chevrolet pulls the covers off the seventh generation of America's most famous sports car series on Sunday, January 13, 2013.GM is making sure we don’t forget about it with a steady release of bits and pieces of information and imagery that continues today with some details about the C7's aerodynamic propertiesand the new Gen 5 small block V8 that will power the base models.

Beginning with the design, GM's people state that the every line, detail and surface on the 2014 model has been "optimized for performance".

Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer, elaborates:

“The all-new Corvette integrates more high-performance aerodynamic features than ever before, many taken directly from Corvette Racing,” he said. “For example, the front grill and radiator flow paths reduce lift, improving vehicle stability at high speeds by keeping the car pressed to the pavement. In addition, functional vents increase track capability by channeling air to the brakes, as well as heat exchangers for the transmission and differential.”

Kirk Bennion, Corvette exterior design manager supports the same adding that the C7 will be exciting to look at as well:

“Its sculpted design excites in all the ways that a Corvette has for six decades, with elements carefully shaped in the wind tunnel to increase airflow potential and improve cooling for a system that is as efficient as possible,” stated Bennion. “It’s said that form follows function, but in the case of the aerodynamic 2014 Corvette, form and function work cohesively to produce beautiful purpose.”

Besides the news on the 2014 Corvette's styling, GM also dropped a new video from thepresentation of the new 6.2-liter V8 engine.

Dubbed 'LT1', the Gen 5 unit churns out 450HP and 450 lb-ft (610 Nm) allowing the base coupe version of the C7 to hit 60mph (96km/h) in under 4 seconds, with the automaker also stating that it will return more than 26mpg on the highway.

 

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