We are very pleased to share with you some great results from the Consumer Reports’ 2009 Vehicle Reliability results that were released yesterday afternoon. Consumer Reports' press release reads: Ford has secured its position as the only Detroit automaker with world-class reliability.... About 90 percent (46 of 51) of Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln products were found to have average or better reliability.
The Consumer Reports survey measures vehicle quality in the first three years of service. The results show Fusion and Milan having better reliability than Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, and MKZ beating Acura TL and Lexus EX.
Not only do we continue to deliver consistent, strong initial quality results, but we can now claim excellence in long-term reliability. Superior craftsmanship is helping Ford establish a track record for reliability, while beating our Asian peers in the process.
· Ford already holds the top spot in initial quality for having the fewest number of defects of any full-line manufacturer and is on par statistically with Toyota and Honda. Ford also is equal to Toyota in the percentage of customers satisfied with the quality of its products. [RDA Group’s quarterly GQRS results]
· Superior reliability is the key to changing customer perceptions about our products. Fusion is helping to drive this change.
Ford is challenging long-held beliefs that only Asian or luxury manufacturers lead in long-term durability and reliability. This is no longer true, making this a very good time for consumers to consider Ford when considering their next purchase decision.
Two years ago, the Fusion was on the cover of the newsstand issue announcing the 2007 Consumer Reports’ Reliability Survey results. At the press conference, David Champion, auto test director for Consumer Reports, talked up Fusion and Milan's superb reliability results, but cautioned that the "real test" is how well the cars would perform over a three-year period.
Now they have their answer. Long-term reliability is critical to strengthening our brand and developing greater levels of trust with car buyers.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Ford Motor Company, celebrating its 15th year of support for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® illuminated its World headquarters pink to show support
DEARBORN -- For two nights beginning on Monday, Oct. 26, Ford World Headquarters will glow pink to show support for breast cancer patients and survivors across the country.
Ford Motor Company is a 15-year supporter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and has dedicated over $100 million to the cause to date.
Ford Warriors in Pink is a campaign designed to recognize the strength and courage it takes to deal with the everyday challenges of fighting breast cancer 365 days a year. The Warriors in Pink program features symbols signifying hope, strength and unity to offer support for all those affected by this devastating disease.
“With the Ford Warriors in Pink program, we continually strive to encourage women and men everywhere to join the fight and be a part of the cure for breast cancer," said Mark Fields, President of The Americas, Ford Motor Company. "For 15 years, Ford has been committed to fighting breast cancer, standing up for the cause no matter the month. Tonight’s ceremony is designed to show our support for all those affected by the disease.”
About Warriors in Pink: · Through its Warriors in Pink program, Ford has dedicated more than $100 million to the breast cancer cause. · Ford’s commitment runs well beyond raising funds. Because awareness leads to early detection and early detection saves lives, the Ford Warriors in Pink campaign is committed to raising awareness of breast cancer.
· Limited edition Ford Warriors in Pink apparel is sold exclusively at www.fordcares.com, and 100 percent of the net proceeds directly benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
· More than half a million pieces of Ford Warriors in Pink apparel and gear has been sold over the past three years, generating over $1.8 million for the Susan G. Komen foundation.
· When you test-drive a Ford vehicle from now until December 31, 2009, Ford will donate $20 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® on your behalf – to the Komen Affiliate in the city of your choice
Ford Motor Company is a 15-year supporter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and has dedicated over $100 million to the cause to date.
Ford Warriors in Pink is a campaign designed to recognize the strength and courage it takes to deal with the everyday challenges of fighting breast cancer 365 days a year. The Warriors in Pink program features symbols signifying hope, strength and unity to offer support for all those affected by this devastating disease.
“With the Ford Warriors in Pink program, we continually strive to encourage women and men everywhere to join the fight and be a part of the cure for breast cancer," said Mark Fields, President of The Americas, Ford Motor Company. "For 15 years, Ford has been committed to fighting breast cancer, standing up for the cause no matter the month. Tonight’s ceremony is designed to show our support for all those affected by the disease.”
About Warriors in Pink: · Through its Warriors in Pink program, Ford has dedicated more than $100 million to the breast cancer cause. · Ford’s commitment runs well beyond raising funds. Because awareness leads to early detection and early detection saves lives, the Ford Warriors in Pink campaign is committed to raising awareness of breast cancer.
· Limited edition Ford Warriors in Pink apparel is sold exclusively at www.fordcares.com, and 100 percent of the net proceeds directly benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
· More than half a million pieces of Ford Warriors in Pink apparel and gear has been sold over the past three years, generating over $1.8 million for the Susan G. Komen foundation.
· When you test-drive a Ford vehicle from now until December 31, 2009, Ford will donate $20 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® on your behalf – to the Komen Affiliate in the city of your choice
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Road Test: 2010 Jaguar XFR from CAR and DRIVER
Road Test: 2010 Jaguar XFR from CAR and DRIVER
Appearances can be deceiving. Jaguars are for old geezers, aren't they? And they definitely shouldn't be spending time on a dirt oval, that most down-home of American automotive playgrounds, should they? But the new XFR most certainly isn't for the AARP set, and all that it offers can't be exploited fully on a paved public road.
On the surface, it's elegant and refined. Yet it also has 510 horsepower capable of tearing the tail loose at a twitch of the stability-control button. It's a lugubrious Jamaican fast bowler who's your best friend until he takes to the field and tries to knock your head off.
To test our theory that the XFR is really an old-style muscle car at heart, we decided to take it to Butler Motor Speedway, a three-eighths-mile drifting nirvana near Quincy, Michigan. As a playground for large, overpowered V-8 stock cars, it's the perfect place — no cops, only one concrete wall to hit — to wring out another overpowered V-8 sedan.
Now, it might seem that taking this $80,000 sports sedan to an oval in the wilds of Michigan isn't exactly cricket, but then, that game is deceiving, too. To the outsider, cricket is a screwy English game with impenetrable rules, played in bucolic settings by persons dressed in white street clothing. Between jack-rabbit bursts of activity, there's no action aside from the eating of crustless cucumber sandwiches and the sipping of tea.
But under this veneer of gentility, cricket is a vicious game in which bowlers (they're called pitchers in baseball) try to maim batsmen with 5.5-ounce balls made of compressed leather and cork and wool that are hurled at up to 90 mph. It's also a game in which "sledging" is an art form. (Example: A bowler yells at a batsman: "Why are you so fat?" Retort: "Because every time I make love to your wife, she gives me a biscuit.") And the spectators on the sidelines who are clapping and providing vocal footnotes (but not too loudly) such as "Good show!" — well, they're drunk. Why else would they turn out for days on end, except as an excuse to go boozing?
We were already partial to the XF, which won a spot on Car and Driver's 10Best list for 2009. Thus the R model of this Jaguar, which has more power, more brake, and more grip, is an appealing concept. To turn it into a competitor for unhinged sedans such as the Cadillac CTS-V, Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, and BMW M5, Jaguar started with the engine. Although the 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 shares the same AJ V-8 nomenclature as the 4.2-liter engine that carries over in the base XF, the only components that are shared are the valve tappets and the head bolts. The new block is made of high-pressure die-cast aluminum and is 0.9 inch shorter than that of the old 4.2 because the oil pump is now located inside the engine rather than mounted externally.
Like the old V-8, it has aluminum heads and four valves per cylinder. The new supercharger is an Eaton TVS (Twin Vortices Series) Roots-type unit that feeds through twin intercoolers and runs a maximum of 11.6 pounds of boost. The engine's most significant new technology is the use of direct fuel injection, which allows the compression ratio to jump from 9.1:1 to 9.5:1. The numbers this engine produces are big: 510 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 461 pound-feet of torque at 2500 rpm.
Perhaps the most important driveline change is an electronically controlled differential that uses an electric motor and a ball-ramp assembly acting on a multiplate clutch pack. To best deliver the power to the ground, the diff can be varied from fully open to locked, depending on a variety of parameters.The chassis gets a raft of changes. Jag claims the spring rates are stiffer by 30 percent and the anti-roll bars by about 25 percent. The R gets a steering rack that's about 10 percent quicker than the stock car's, plus Bilstein continuously variable shocks. They progressively alter damping according to vertical movement, pitch, and roll rate. There's also a dynamic mode that further stiffens the damping and holds the transmission in gear, even at redline, when shifting manually.
Sublime-looking 20-inch wheels are shod with wide, low-profile Dunlop SP Sport Maxx rubber, 255/35 in front and 285/30 out back, the same sizes as the outgoing XF Supercharged model's. Peeking from behind the aluminum wheels are 15.0-inch-diameter front and 14.8-inch rear vented disc brakes, an inch larger up front than on the XF Supercharged and two inches bigger at the back. To demonstrate intent, the bodywork gets a suitably muscular upgrade, with a mesh grille, quad exhaust tips, a trunklid spoiler, and sculpted side skirts, but the overall effect is quite understated.
The interior décor — leather and wood and wool, as English as bad teeth — is freshened with tasteful aluminum mesh trim and an Alcantara headliner. The R gets model-specific sport seats with electrically adjustable side bolsters that are much more supportive than the buckets in the regular XF. Soft-grain leather is standard.
Otherwise, the interior is virtually identical to the standard XF's. Lanky rear-seat riders aren't going to be happy with their allotment of space, but there's decent head- and legroom for anyone shorter than 5-foot-10. The infuriating multifunction central touch-screen display remains: One needs to go back and forth through submenus to change the settings, and that grows wearisome quickly.
The XFR certainly sounds like it belongs at Butler speedway, where the music on a Saturday night is all-American V-8. At least it makes the right kind of noise from the outside, where the engine has the same hard-edged growl as a highly tuned stock car's. In the cabin, there's a mild snarling sound as the pedal is pushed hard, but it's relatively serene even under hard acceleration.
And, boy, does this thing accelerate, even though it's not quite as quick as the lighter and even more powerful Cadillac CTS-V automatic or the last BMW M5 or Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG we tested. Zero to 60 mph comes in 4.4 seconds, 0 to 100 takes 9.8, and the standing quarter is breached in 12.7 seconds at 114 mph. (With an automatic transmission, the Caddy hits these marks in 3.9, 8.7, and 12.2 seconds, respectively.) We'd have turned quicker acceleration times if the car had hooked up better, but most launches ended up frying the Dunlops. Passing performance is sensational, as are the smooth, instant shifts, whether you let the gearbox do the work or choose to use the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters to change gears "manually."
At Butler, where the XFR proved quite the drifter, the 510 horses easily overwhelmed the rear tires once we'd switched off the stability system. The steering is a little numb, but the chassis is wonderfully progressive and communicative, which is important on damp clay: The grip levels change through a turn, forcing the driver to react to the car's ever-changing attitude. On blacktop, which is where we expect 99.99999 percent of owners will spend their time, the XFR is nicely balanced and grippy, with impressive body control and a ride quality that's nothing short of miraculous considering the giant wheels and super-stiff tire sidewalls. The brakes have great feel and bite, with a 70-to-0-mph stopping distance of 158 feet, four feet more than that of the CTS-V. The XFR's skidpad figure of 0.89 g is comparable with the performance of both the M5 and the CTS-V.
The XFR is a mighty fine machine, as it should be for a base price of 80 large. It's a compelling blend of sophisticated highway cruiser and ferocious back-road bruiser, wrapped in a handsome set of clothes. Arguably, it's the best-looking car in its class, i.e., that group of sedans with more horsepower than you'd ever really need. Perhaps the days are numbered for cars such as the XFR, but we'll be remembering them fondly in the future in the same way old-timers today harken back to muscle cars from the 1960s.
The 2010 Jaguar XJ severs the cord to its traditional past for an intriguing new shape—and possibly a new lease on life
The Bottom Line:
The 2010 Jaguar XJ severs the cord to its traditional past for an intriguing new shape—and possibly a new lease on life
The 2010 Jaguar XJ sedan is on its way to the U.S., seven years after the current, traditionally styled XJ first brought its radical aluminum-aerospace body and stuffy styling to market. Since then, Jaguar’s been sold by Ford to India’s Tata, but progress continues, particularly with this new range-topping sedan. Available in short- and long-wheelbase form, the 2010 XJ will be offered with three V-8 powertrain and four models (XJ, XJL, Supercharged and Super Sport) and likely will span a price range from $65,000 to more than $100,000 when it goes on sale early next year.
There’s not much to prepare the unprepared for the 2010 XJ’s new avant-garde silhouette. The 2004 XJ bore a striking resemblance to, of all things, a Buick LeSabre. The new version’s part Aston Rapide, part Jaguar XF, with some kinky details highlighting (or spoiling) its drawn-long shape. All the upright lines are discarded for a low, sleek roofline; fenders swell along curvaceous lines like the 2007 XK coupe and convertible and vertical taillamps get LED lighting. It’s a bold reimagination of the XJ—a clever one too, since the car sits on an identical wheelbase and is only marginally longer and wider. Three details stand out: the D-pillar that’s blacked out to create a floating-roof look jars the shape, disturbing its elegance more than enhancing it. Maybe if it’s eventually stripped bare and polished smooth down to its aluminum, it’ll fit. The second detail is a massive glass sunroof that opens the XJ cabin to light. Inside, Jaguar promises all that transparency gives the transformed interior a modern, informed look. From photos it’s easy to agree: the bubbled-up air vents, the pop-up transmission controller and wide bands of wood on the doors and dash distill the swinging-British look to near perfection. A leather headliner, upgraded leather seats and laser-inlaid wood trim and new custom trim options will bring the opulence factor to new levels, Jaguar says. Finally, a new dash panel without traditional dials uses a large high-definition screen to display all the usual gauge functions, while also changing colors subtly to indicate performance driving modes with a soft red glow.
Three engines, a single transmission and an independent suspension are the core of the 2010 Jaguar XJ’s performance package. The engines are all derived from the new 5.0-liter V-8 also found in the 2010 Jaguar XF. There’s a base version with 385 horsepower in the XJ and XJL; a supercharged version with 470 horsepower in either body style; and a special 510-horsepower V-8 for Super Sport editions. With the sole transmission, a paddle-shifted six-speed automatic, the 2010 XJ will run from 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds in base form, and in 4.7 seconds as a Super Sport. Dynamics are handled by an independent suspension outfitted with air springs, electronic controls to constantly vary ride firmness, and an electronically controlled rear differential. To fine-tune these settings, JaguarDrive Control allows owners to choose Normal, Dynamic and Winter settings to adjust throttle, steering, transmission and ride quality.
With aluminum body panels bonded and riveted to an aluminum space frame, the 2010 Jaguar XJ is substantially lighter than the competition—though with new features, the difference is diminished with the new XJ. The 3800-pound to 4300-pound XJ has roughly the same interior space as before; long-wheelbase versions have 5 inches more rear legroom. Jaguar says the 18.4-cubic-foot trunk is the biggest in its class, and has a power-closing decklid. Thicker glass and a stouter body should damp out noise even more than before, though Jaguar’s tuned the air intake for what it calls an “inspiring engine soundtrack.” Wood, leather and chrome trim is fitted to all versions, with Super Sport XJs piling on more luxe trim.
Safety performance should be excellent, as with the current Jaguar XJ. The new car also sports six airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction and safety control, as before. The new XJ’s stability control loosens its apron strings a bit when the car’s Dynamic mode is chosen.
Among the standard features in the new 2010 XJ are the big panorama sunroof; an AM/FM/CD/DVD/MP3/HD/Sirius audio system; USB connectivity and Bluetooth stereo audio; a navigation system with voice control; and automatic climate control. The most impressive option—aside from custom trim options for the interior—likely will be the 1200-watt Bowers & Wilkins audiophile system.
This article is from ;
The Car Connection.com
The 2010 Jaguar XJ severs the cord to its traditional past for an intriguing new shape—and possibly a new lease on life
The 2010 Jaguar XJ sedan is on its way to the U.S., seven years after the current, traditionally styled XJ first brought its radical aluminum-aerospace body and stuffy styling to market. Since then, Jaguar’s been sold by Ford to India’s Tata, but progress continues, particularly with this new range-topping sedan. Available in short- and long-wheelbase form, the 2010 XJ will be offered with three V-8 powertrain and four models (XJ, XJL, Supercharged and Super Sport) and likely will span a price range from $65,000 to more than $100,000 when it goes on sale early next year.
There’s not much to prepare the unprepared for the 2010 XJ’s new avant-garde silhouette. The 2004 XJ bore a striking resemblance to, of all things, a Buick LeSabre. The new version’s part Aston Rapide, part Jaguar XF, with some kinky details highlighting (or spoiling) its drawn-long shape. All the upright lines are discarded for a low, sleek roofline; fenders swell along curvaceous lines like the 2007 XK coupe and convertible and vertical taillamps get LED lighting. It’s a bold reimagination of the XJ—a clever one too, since the car sits on an identical wheelbase and is only marginally longer and wider. Three details stand out: the D-pillar that’s blacked out to create a floating-roof look jars the shape, disturbing its elegance more than enhancing it. Maybe if it’s eventually stripped bare and polished smooth down to its aluminum, it’ll fit. The second detail is a massive glass sunroof that opens the XJ cabin to light. Inside, Jaguar promises all that transparency gives the transformed interior a modern, informed look. From photos it’s easy to agree: the bubbled-up air vents, the pop-up transmission controller and wide bands of wood on the doors and dash distill the swinging-British look to near perfection. A leather headliner, upgraded leather seats and laser-inlaid wood trim and new custom trim options will bring the opulence factor to new levels, Jaguar says. Finally, a new dash panel without traditional dials uses a large high-definition screen to display all the usual gauge functions, while also changing colors subtly to indicate performance driving modes with a soft red glow.
Three engines, a single transmission and an independent suspension are the core of the 2010 Jaguar XJ’s performance package. The engines are all derived from the new 5.0-liter V-8 also found in the 2010 Jaguar XF. There’s a base version with 385 horsepower in the XJ and XJL; a supercharged version with 470 horsepower in either body style; and a special 510-horsepower V-8 for Super Sport editions. With the sole transmission, a paddle-shifted six-speed automatic, the 2010 XJ will run from 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds in base form, and in 4.7 seconds as a Super Sport. Dynamics are handled by an independent suspension outfitted with air springs, electronic controls to constantly vary ride firmness, and an electronically controlled rear differential. To fine-tune these settings, JaguarDrive Control allows owners to choose Normal, Dynamic and Winter settings to adjust throttle, steering, transmission and ride quality.
With aluminum body panels bonded and riveted to an aluminum space frame, the 2010 Jaguar XJ is substantially lighter than the competition—though with new features, the difference is diminished with the new XJ. The 3800-pound to 4300-pound XJ has roughly the same interior space as before; long-wheelbase versions have 5 inches more rear legroom. Jaguar says the 18.4-cubic-foot trunk is the biggest in its class, and has a power-closing decklid. Thicker glass and a stouter body should damp out noise even more than before, though Jaguar’s tuned the air intake for what it calls an “inspiring engine soundtrack.” Wood, leather and chrome trim is fitted to all versions, with Super Sport XJs piling on more luxe trim.
Safety performance should be excellent, as with the current Jaguar XJ. The new car also sports six airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction and safety control, as before. The new XJ’s stability control loosens its apron strings a bit when the car’s Dynamic mode is chosen.
Among the standard features in the new 2010 XJ are the big panorama sunroof; an AM/FM/CD/DVD/MP3/HD/Sirius audio system; USB connectivity and Bluetooth stereo audio; a navigation system with voice control; and automatic climate control. The most impressive option—aside from custom trim options for the interior—likely will be the 1200-watt Bowers & Wilkins audiophile system.
This article is from ;
The Car Connection.com
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Thanks for making the Island Star Studded Event a success!
Thank you to everyone who came out to make Island Lincoln Mercury's Star Studded Event a success! We appriceate all of your valuable input and welcome the chance to serve you further in the future!
Fore more information on the all new 2010 Lincoln lineup that was showcased at the event, visit http://www.lincoln.com/vehicles/ or contact us direct at 321-452-9220.
Thank you,
Your Friends @ Island Lincoln Mercury
Fore more information on the all new 2010 Lincoln lineup that was showcased at the event, visit http://www.lincoln.com/vehicles/ or contact us direct at 321-452-9220.
Thank you,
Your Friends @ Island Lincoln Mercury
JAGUAR'S 2010 XJL SUPERCHARGED NEIMAN MARCUS EDITION SELLS OUT
Jaguar's XJL Supercharged Neiman Marcus Edition Sells Out In Four Hours and Four Minutes
MAHWAH, N.J., October 16, 2009 – It took four hours and four minutes for Jaguar to sell all 50 of its special edition 2010 XJL Supercharged Neiman Marcus cars that were offered exclusively through the retailer's Christmas Book. Jaguar produced only 50 of the 2010 Jaguar XJL Supercharged Neiman Marcus Edition vehicles which retailed at $105,000.
The phone lines opened today at noon EDT and within the afternoon, the 50th Jaguar XJL Supercharged Neiman Marcus Edition was reserved. Jaguar will keep the phone lines open and place callers beyond 50 on a waiting list in the event a reservation does not result in a final sale. Interested buyers, automotive connoisseurs and luxury enthusiasts are encouraged to continue to call 1-866-524-6963 for purchasing details. For those not lucky enough to reserve one of these 50 Neiman Marcus Editions, the XJ arrives in showrooms nationwide in early 2010.
An aggressive take on the highly anticipated all-new 2010 Jaguar XJ, the all-new 2010 Jaguar XJL Supercharged Neiman Marcus Edition, comes in an exclusive Celestial Black metallic paint exterior and a custom butter-soft navy and ivory leather interior with Zebrano matte wood accents. The Neiman Marcus Edition XJL also has 20" double-10 spoke polished alloy wheels, illuminated tread plates and trunk finisher as well as the nameplate on the custom interior Intaglio that reads: "Neiman Marcus 1 of 50." The Neiman Marcus XJL Supercharged is powered by a new third-generation 5-liter V-8 engine with an Eaton supercharger that delivers 470 horsepower and also features the Jaguar Sequential Shift™ six-speed ZF automatic transmission that adapts to its driver, with wheel-mounted shift paddles for sport, standard, and winter mode driving.
The all-new 2010 Jaguar XJ was revealed to critical acclaim this past July, and features a new frame that is pressure cast from aluminum and magnesium to give the XJL a strong, light architecture that improves fuel efficiency, structural rigidity and performance. A panoramic glass roof enables the car to have a lower, more streamlined roofline, while dramatically enhancing the feeling of light and space inside. The vehicle's LED light clusters wrap stylishly over the rear wings, and feature three dramatic red vertical stripes while the elongated teardrop shape of the side windows establishes the car’s silhouette. The sleek design and refined luxury is continued inside the all-new XJ by mixing newly advanced technologies and contemporary design to create an environment more akin to a state-of-the-art living space than a car cabin. Chrome and piano black detailing provide an eye-catching contrast to the beautifully crafted leather and veneer surfaces. At the center of the instrument panel is an analog clock with individual chrome chaplets, a spun metal face and iridescent blue background; a look inspired by luxury watches.
There are stunning, three-dimensional, interactive 12.3" high-definition Virtual InstrumentsTM that complement an innovative 8-inch Touch-screen that displays vehicle functions ranging from audio and video to navigation and climate control – all in the driver's line of vision. There’s also a media hub with docks for MP3 players and USB devices, a Bowers &Wilkins 1,200-watt premium sound system with Dolby® ProLogic® IIx Surround Sound and 20 speakers throughout the cabin.
MAHWAH, N.J., October 16, 2009 – It took four hours and four minutes for Jaguar to sell all 50 of its special edition 2010 XJL Supercharged Neiman Marcus cars that were offered exclusively through the retailer's Christmas Book. Jaguar produced only 50 of the 2010 Jaguar XJL Supercharged Neiman Marcus Edition vehicles which retailed at $105,000.
The phone lines opened today at noon EDT and within the afternoon, the 50th Jaguar XJL Supercharged Neiman Marcus Edition was reserved. Jaguar will keep the phone lines open and place callers beyond 50 on a waiting list in the event a reservation does not result in a final sale. Interested buyers, automotive connoisseurs and luxury enthusiasts are encouraged to continue to call 1-866-524-6963 for purchasing details. For those not lucky enough to reserve one of these 50 Neiman Marcus Editions, the XJ arrives in showrooms nationwide in early 2010.
An aggressive take on the highly anticipated all-new 2010 Jaguar XJ, the all-new 2010 Jaguar XJL Supercharged Neiman Marcus Edition, comes in an exclusive Celestial Black metallic paint exterior and a custom butter-soft navy and ivory leather interior with Zebrano matte wood accents. The Neiman Marcus Edition XJL also has 20" double-10 spoke polished alloy wheels, illuminated tread plates and trunk finisher as well as the nameplate on the custom interior Intaglio that reads: "Neiman Marcus 1 of 50." The Neiman Marcus XJL Supercharged is powered by a new third-generation 5-liter V-8 engine with an Eaton supercharger that delivers 470 horsepower and also features the Jaguar Sequential Shift™ six-speed ZF automatic transmission that adapts to its driver, with wheel-mounted shift paddles for sport, standard, and winter mode driving.
The all-new 2010 Jaguar XJ was revealed to critical acclaim this past July, and features a new frame that is pressure cast from aluminum and magnesium to give the XJL a strong, light architecture that improves fuel efficiency, structural rigidity and performance. A panoramic glass roof enables the car to have a lower, more streamlined roofline, while dramatically enhancing the feeling of light and space inside. The vehicle's LED light clusters wrap stylishly over the rear wings, and feature three dramatic red vertical stripes while the elongated teardrop shape of the side windows establishes the car’s silhouette. The sleek design and refined luxury is continued inside the all-new XJ by mixing newly advanced technologies and contemporary design to create an environment more akin to a state-of-the-art living space than a car cabin. Chrome and piano black detailing provide an eye-catching contrast to the beautifully crafted leather and veneer surfaces. At the center of the instrument panel is an analog clock with individual chrome chaplets, a spun metal face and iridescent blue background; a look inspired by luxury watches.
There are stunning, three-dimensional, interactive 12.3" high-definition Virtual InstrumentsTM that complement an innovative 8-inch Touch-screen that displays vehicle functions ranging from audio and video to navigation and climate control – all in the driver's line of vision. There’s also a media hub with docks for MP3 players and USB devices, a Bowers &Wilkins 1,200-watt premium sound system with Dolby® ProLogic® IIx Surround Sound and 20 speakers throughout the cabin.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Redesigned Jaguar XJ makes Neiman Marcus Christmas wish list
Redesigned Jaguar XJ makes Neiman Marcus Christmas wish list
Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20091007/CARNEWS/910079994#ixzz0U6T2k5TZ
MSN Flash Drive: 2009 Land Rover LR2 HSE , Expert Review
MSN Flash Drive: 2009 Land Rover LR2 HSE, Expert Review
By: MSN Staff
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/review.aspx?year=2009&make=Land%20Rover&model=LR2&cp-documentid=1093863The smallest vehicle offered by Land Rover in the U.S., the 2009 Land Rover LR2 HSE feels a little bit more at home on the pavement than most of its larger siblings. Thanks to the latest technology, it also still retains legendary Land Rover off-road capability. Sharing drivetrain components with the Volvo S80, the LR2 is equipped with permanent all-wheel drive but tends to feel more like a front-wheel-drive vehicle until the electronically controlled center differential kicks in to vary the torque split. The 230-horsepower 3.2-liter inline 6-cylinder engine provides enough power on the highway and is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission for combined fuel economy in the upper teens. Inside, the LR2 duplicates the luxurious but functional style of other Land Rover models. The LR2 is a luxurious, 5-passenger SUV that makes a great everyday driver, but retains all the off-road capability, including the adjustable Terrain Response system, which offers four modes to tailor the electronic aids for different off-road conditions. –Mike Meredith
The LR2 is a finely crafted compact SUV. From the comfortable and attractive interior to the bold styling of the exterior, this is a cool little SUV. The smooth V6 engine provided 20 mpg in mixed driving, which is decent considering the 230-horsepower output. Inside the car, it was unusual to have the window and mirror controls near the driver's window, and it took awhile to get used to this placement. Also, the electrical system was fooled once because I removed the key fob without pressing it in first — the LR2 would not let me lock the car because it still thought the key was in the ignition. Maneuverability was good in the LR2 in the city, and with all the off-road capability built in, a family could rely upon this SUV to be the only vehicle in the household. –Joe Chulick
The Land Rover LR2 may be the cheapest of the Land Rover family, but it is also my favorite. It is extremely well-suited to road driving. The engine may not deliver great fuel economy, but it is smooth and offers a torque curve that matches the urban jungle. And as bad as the fuel economy is, it's still the best among all the Land Rovers, which I suppose is proof that it doesn't matter to the typical buyer of these vehicles; instead, the legendary off-road ability and luxurious comfort entice a Land Rover owner. Here the LR2 does credit to its siblings, offering only slightly less luxury for a bunch less money. That's why the LR2 is my favorite. –Paul Hagger
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
2010 Ranger Rover Sport gets new enhancements
2010 Ranger Rover Sport, which received a complete makeover has filled the motor enthusiasts with awe with its new look and powertrain. The new Ranger Rover Sport receives a comprehensive package of updates in the exterior as well as beneath the skin to enhance both on-road driving experience and off-road ability. The thoughtful engineering will definitely enable 2010 Ranger Rover Sport to lead the Land Rover line-up from the front. Merritt Island Land Rover, the leading Land Rover dealer in Merritt Island, Florida is pleased to offer 2010 Ranger Rover Sport in its showroom which houses all Land Rover models like Range Rover, Land Rover LR4 and Land Rover LR2 among others.
The most prominent change can be noticed under the hood. The new Ranger Rover Sport gets two new engines for the 2010 model year - a 375bhp LR-V8 5.0 liter naturally aspirated engine and a performance oriented 510bhp LR-V8 5.0-liter supercharged engine. Both the engines are mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. In addition to that it also conforms to stringent ULEV2 emissions regulations. The new design language in the exterior gives it an aggressive and stylish look which is in sync with the roaring power inside.
The interior of the new Ranger Rover also gets a facelift. High quality leather in rich dark shades, the newly designed front and rear seats and the white LEDs give the cabin a refined and premium look and feel. The Adaptive Dynamics System and the updated Terrain Response system offer great control and easy handling on all terrains.
2010 Ranger Rover Sport also focuses on extra safety of its passengers as it features a new Advanced Emergency Brake Assist system, a refined stability control system and new Roll Stability Control system. A new Surround Camera System supports easier parking and towing. The new Ranger Rover Sport also comes standard with a bevy of tech features which include a sophisticated new remote key which offers both Keyless Entry and Push Button Start, new hard-drive navigation system which improves comfort and convenience. Check out our vehicle Review and the current specials we have here at Merritt Island Land Rover.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
A star-studded Event at Island Lincoln Mercury!
When Lincoln's new cars with world-class technologies are all set to rule the roads, We at, Island Lincoln Mercury, Merritt Island, as the leading Lincoln dealer in the region, is holding a star-studded evening and you are invited to join us as we welcome these new 2010 Lincoln's into our show room.
The evening of October 15th is when you can catch more than a glimpse of the brand new 2010 Lincoln MKT, the new Lincoln MKS and the redesigned Lincoln MKZ – You can test drive and experience state-of-the-art technologies like the Active Park assist and SYNC. In addition, with every completed test drive that takes place this evening, we will donate $20 to Susan G Komen for the Cure for the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
This star-studded evening begins at 6:30 PM and will last through 9 PM, and is filled with door prizes, and refreshments. So you can be the first to see these incredible New vehicles in person! Those of you who attend will be eligible to participate in our sweepstakes, where you could win a whopping 65'' plasma TV and a home theater system with a blue-ray disc player and Geek Squad set-up, a prize worth over $4000!
See more about this unforgettable event by going to our website where you can RSVP to be sure you are among the first to test drive one of our stunning New 2010 Lincoln automobiles.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Ford EcoBoost Engine Receives Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Award!
NEW YORK -- Ford Motor Company's fuel efficient EcoBoost engine will be honored Thursday evening with a Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Award at a ceremony at the Hearst Tower in New York City. The Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Awards, now in their fifth year, recognize products and celebrate innovations poised to change the world, and the passionate, smart creators behind them. Ford is the only automaker this year to receive a Breakthrough Award.
"From flying cars to robots to wind turbines for homes, the innovations honored by the 2009 POPULAR MECHANICS Breakthrough Awards not only capture the imagination, they hold the potential to improve and even save lives," said James B. Meigs, editor-in-chief, POPULAR MECHANICS. "We are pleased to honor this year's diverse list of visionaries, Dean Kamen among them, and applaud their efforts to address such concerns as climate change, pollution, energy shortages and medical care in the developing world."
EcoBoost, which uses turbocharging and direct gasoline injection to boost engine output, reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency by as much as 20 percent marks a major milestone in the Ford strategy to deliver technologically advanced, high-output, smaller-displacement powertrains.
The Ford powertrain management strategy uses hundreds of thousands of lines of computer code and related parameters that are adjusted to optimize the engine and transmission operation. It's these processes that largely make up the more than 125 EcoBoost patent contributions and makes Ford’s use of direct injection and turbocharging of its engines like no other automaker in the world.
Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development, Ford Motor Company, will accept the award in New York.
"Ford engineers looked at every available engine configuration, comparing power, price, economy and emissions, determining the best way to power Ford vehicles in the future," said Kuzak.
"EcoBoost technology gives us everything: a combination of the performance buyers expect and fuel economy improvements they demand that, until now, only has been achievable with the latest-generation turbo-diesel powertrains."
By 2013, more than 90 percent of Ford's North American lineup will be available with EcoBoost technology. In selecting the candidates and winners of the 2009 Breakthrough Awards program, the editors of POPULAR MECHANICS (PM) canvassed a large range of experts and academics to come up with a list of worthy nominees. Members of PM’s Board of Advisers reviewed the nominations to help the editors of POPULAR MECHANICS choose the winners.
A complete report of the Breakthrough Awards will be published in the November issue of POPULAR MECHANICS (on newsstands October 13, 2009). High-resolution images of the winners as well as full conference coverage will be available upon request and at file://www.popularmechanics.com/.
"From flying cars to robots to wind turbines for homes, the innovations honored by the 2009 POPULAR MECHANICS Breakthrough Awards not only capture the imagination, they hold the potential to improve and even save lives," said James B. Meigs, editor-in-chief, POPULAR MECHANICS. "We are pleased to honor this year's diverse list of visionaries, Dean Kamen among them, and applaud their efforts to address such concerns as climate change, pollution, energy shortages and medical care in the developing world."
EcoBoost, which uses turbocharging and direct gasoline injection to boost engine output, reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency by as much as 20 percent marks a major milestone in the Ford strategy to deliver technologically advanced, high-output, smaller-displacement powertrains.
The Ford powertrain management strategy uses hundreds of thousands of lines of computer code and related parameters that are adjusted to optimize the engine and transmission operation. It's these processes that largely make up the more than 125 EcoBoost patent contributions and makes Ford’s use of direct injection and turbocharging of its engines like no other automaker in the world.
Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development, Ford Motor Company, will accept the award in New York.
"Ford engineers looked at every available engine configuration, comparing power, price, economy and emissions, determining the best way to power Ford vehicles in the future," said Kuzak.
"EcoBoost technology gives us everything: a combination of the performance buyers expect and fuel economy improvements they demand that, until now, only has been achievable with the latest-generation turbo-diesel powertrains."
By 2013, more than 90 percent of Ford's North American lineup will be available with EcoBoost technology. In selecting the candidates and winners of the 2009 Breakthrough Awards program, the editors of POPULAR MECHANICS (PM) canvassed a large range of experts and academics to come up with a list of worthy nominees. Members of PM’s Board of Advisers reviewed the nominations to help the editors of POPULAR MECHANICS choose the winners.
A complete report of the Breakthrough Awards will be published in the November issue of POPULAR MECHANICS (on newsstands October 13, 2009). High-resolution images of the winners as well as full conference coverage will be available upon request and at file://www.popularmechanics.com/.
The Lincoln Star Studded Event is coming to ISLAND !
| You are invited to Island Lincoln Mercury’s New 2010 Star-Studded Evening! |
| The 2010 Lincoln MKT will be unveiled here. Along with the MKS with its available 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine, and the all new redesigned MKZ. |
 |
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
First drive: 2010 Land Rover Range Rover, Range Rover scales to new heights!
By Richard Aucock, MSN Autos
Hertfordshire, England - Now paired with Jaguar, Land Rover seems to be increasingly influenced by its wise old step-sibling. For example, in years gone by, the Range Rover was all about stately progress and one-upmanship. Performance? Why, dear boy, best leave that to the youth.
With the 2010 model, though, it's changed. The Range Rover has undergone something of a metamorphosis - and turned into a Porsche-slayer. What on earth has happened? Visually, not much. Bodywork changes for the facelifted line-up of Range Rovers are modest to say the least. They're reserved to new a new grille, headlights, and bumpers.
No, the big news is below the surface. Particularly in this six-figure range-topping Supercharged model, which is fitted with the mighty Jaguar XFR's 5.0-litre supercharged V8. Rated at 510 horsepower, it's easily the most powerful Range Rover there's ever been - and 29 per cent more powerful than the outgoing Supercharged variant.
It's a clear sign that Land Rover wants to give the Range Rover an edge. Yes, it still attracts country folk, who will remain amazed by its sheer off-road prowess. There's a heritage to live up to here, and no Land Rover will ever forget its 1950s roots.
No longer is the Range Rover just a large SUV. It's a Bentley rival; an Aston Martin for those who want to sit up high. The 2010 enhancements serve only to enhance this.
Read full article on MSN.com
Hertfordshire, England - Now paired with Jaguar, Land Rover seems to be increasingly influenced by its wise old step-sibling. For example, in years gone by, the Range Rover was all about stately progress and one-upmanship. Performance? Why, dear boy, best leave that to the youth.
With the 2010 model, though, it's changed. The Range Rover has undergone something of a metamorphosis - and turned into a Porsche-slayer. What on earth has happened? Visually, not much. Bodywork changes for the facelifted line-up of Range Rovers are modest to say the least. They're reserved to new a new grille, headlights, and bumpers.
No, the big news is below the surface. Particularly in this six-figure range-topping Supercharged model, which is fitted with the mighty Jaguar XFR's 5.0-litre supercharged V8. Rated at 510 horsepower, it's easily the most powerful Range Rover there's ever been - and 29 per cent more powerful than the outgoing Supercharged variant.
It's a clear sign that Land Rover wants to give the Range Rover an edge. Yes, it still attracts country folk, who will remain amazed by its sheer off-road prowess. There's a heritage to live up to here, and no Land Rover will ever forget its 1950s roots.
No longer is the Range Rover just a large SUV. It's a Bentley rival; an Aston Martin for those who want to sit up high. The 2010 enhancements serve only to enhance this.
Read full article on MSN.com
Monday, October 5, 2009
Strays to Supercats: Behind the Wheel | 2010 Jaguar XFR and XKR
From NYTimes
IT’S small consolation to Ford, which parted ways with Jaguar after 18 largely tear-filled, money-losing years of ownership. But Tata Motors of India, which bought the British automaker in a historic reverse-colonization, is surely thanking Ford for handing over a Jaguar that is finally purring.
Both R models have upgrades to the already rich Jaguar exteriors and interiors, and they get additional features like larger wheels; bigger and better brakes; sportier seats; and Jaguar’s new adaptive suspension, which adjusts the shocks based on road and cornering conditions; and adaptive rear differential, which sends extra torque to the wheel with the most grip.
IT’S small consolation to Ford, which parted ways with Jaguar after 18 largely tear-filled, money-losing years of ownership. But Tata Motors of India, which bought the British automaker in a historic reverse-colonization, is surely thanking Ford for handing over a Jaguar that is finally purring.
Aside from one spectacular debacle — the widely panned X-Type entry luxury sedan, based on the Ford Mondeo — history may credit Ford with transforming Jaguar’s frozen-in-amber styling and notoriously shoddy reliability. No longer living in and off its glorious past, Jaguar suddenly has a lineup on its hands. These are still the pretty, pedigreed cats you expect, but they are also modern, competitive and — according to owner surveys — more mechanically sound than before.
The XK sports car and XF midsize sedan, already among the sexiest cars in their segments, get new muscle for 2010. Both upgrade their 4.2-liter V-8s to a seductive 5-liter with 385 horsepower; for the high-performance R editions, superchargers pump up the horsepower to 510. Both engines ensure that these newest Jaguars will stay on the heels of mega-powered competitors from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. (The XF continues to offer the 300-horse 4.2-liter engine on its $52,000 base model, making it the least expensive Jag.)
In October, a fourth XF model, the XF Supercharged, goes on sale starting at $68,000. In addition to its 470 horsepower, that edition has extra luxury and performance features — including an adaptive suspension and a 440-watt Bowers & Wilkins audio system — for less money than the $80,000, 510-horse XFR.
The all-new V-8s will also power Jaguar’s flagship sedan, the XJ, when that final fusty holdover from the ancien régime gets a modern redesign — it looks like a stretched XF — early next year.
All three models emerged from the drawing board of Ian Callum, a designer who challenged purists with his determination to jettison the past while also recapturing it. His goal was to remind people that in the ’50s and ’60s Jaguar had been on the leading edge of design before stagnation made its cars into hidebound symbols of the lost empire.
My first encounter with the range-topping XFR and XKR coupe and convertible came at the Monticello Motor Club, a rolling private racecourse two hours northwest of Manhattan. Roberto Guerrero, the former IndyCar racer, was my wildly overqualified co-pilot. Away from the track, I logged two weeks and several hundred miles in a 5-liter XF sedan, an XFR and an XKR convertible, whose $102,000 base price tops the Jaguar line.
That’s big money, to be sure, but consider this: I pulled into Miller Motorcars in Greenwich, Conn., in an XKR convertible and parked alongside a row of Aston Martin DB9s — a styling inspiration for the XK and Mr. Callum’s signature design before he left Aston for Jaguar. From 20 paces, even enthusiasts might struggle to tell the cars apart. Yet at $211,000, the DB9 convertible’s sticker price was double the Jag’s. The Aston is slightly plusher inside and has a V-12 under its bonnet, but even that engine makes 40 fewer horsepower than the XKR’s.
What I’m saying is that, by the cockeyed standards of six-figure cars, the XKR is a relative deal for so much performance and panache. The comparable Mercedes, the SL63 AMG, costs over $130,000. The BMW M6 coupe and convertible are priced close to the Jaguar, but to my eyes the voluptuous Jag makes the BMW look like a banana slug. I also found the XKR more rewarding to drive.
Both the XFR and XKR offer the wall-of-power acceleration you’d expect from the steel-toed macho men at Mercedes’s AMG division, not the loafer-clad gents of Jaguar. Credit not just the 510 horsepower, but the wrenching 461 pound-feet of torque.
Jaguar says it takes just 4.6 seconds for the XKR to reach 60 miles an hour from a standstill and 4.7 for the XFR. Those numbers are conservative; Car and Driver magazine tested the XFR at 4.3 seconds.
For an idea of the physical forces involved, consider that the XFR — a 4,000-pound sedan — is electronically limited to 155 miles an hour, but will reach 195 with its computer leash removed. It can execute a pass from 50 to 70 m.p.h. in less than two seconds.
Last year at the Bonneville Salt Flats, a race driver, Paul Gentilozzi, drove a lightly modified XFR to a top speed of 225.6 m.p.h., breaking his own Jaguar production-car record set in 1992 in the $580,000 XJ220 supercar.Both R models have upgrades to the already rich Jaguar exteriors and interiors, and they get additional features like larger wheels; bigger and better brakes; sportier seats; and Jaguar’s new adaptive suspension, which adjusts the shocks based on road and cornering conditions; and adaptive rear differential, which sends extra torque to the wheel with the most grip.
Virtually every feature in the Jaguar catalog is standard on the R versions, a refreshing change from the German automakers that blithely hit up buyers for $10,000 or more in options even on their highest-priced models.
The glaring flaw of every XF and XK is the touch screen, whose cumbersome menus are aggravated by a slow-to-respond screen that sometimes ignores your fingertips entirely.
And while replacing the glovebox latch with a flush-mounted electronic dot smooths the appearance of the dashboard, that switch can also take more than one open-sesame attempt.
The real magic button is for the starter. Press it, and a stainless-steel puck rises from the center console like the Armageddon button in a Bond movie. This rotary dial is the electronic shifter, and while some reviewers have criticized it for balky operation, I find it elegant and ergonomically sound, requiring less range of motion to toggle gears than some newfangled shift levers.
While the 6-speed automatic and its steering-mounted paddle shifters work flawlessly, it’s not too much to expect genuine metal paddles (or perhaps carbon fiber) in cars of this price, rather than a set of plastic ears.
For people who demand the biggest possible back seat, the XF’s relatively tight rear headroom may send them elsewhere.
Despite the addictive thrust and a level of handling that sets a new standard for Jaguars, neither R model is as hard-edged as some competing sport sedans and sports cars. That became clear at Monticello, where the Jaguars circled the hilly track with speed and aplomb but still felt mildly out of their element.
That element, fortunately, is the real world, where the Jaguars feel four-star plush and relaxing even when you’re stomping the gas pedal. Now, I love a Porsche 911 or BMW M3 as much as the next guy. But it’s the Jaguars’ dual nature — purring cat and snarling beast, to milk the irresistible feline metaphor — that makes them so distinctive. The XK is not a 911, nor is it trying to be: it’s a gorgeous, serious grand touring car.
On a purely skin-deep level, both Jaguars prompted an almost embarrassing level of compliments and admiration during my test drives. And if we’re honest, aren’t knockout looks — more than racetrack prowess — the main reason people pay premium prices for a luxury car?
It’s here that the Lexus fan might raise the issue of Jaguar quality, or lack thereof. Yet in the most recent J. D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study, measuring defects in three-year-old 2006 models, the Jaguar brand jumped to a first-place tie with Buick, ahead of Lexus, Acura and other brands esteemed for reliability. And in four of the last five years, in J. D. Power’s Sales Satisfaction Index, Jaguar has topped all luxury brands in owner ratings of their dealership experience.
For decades, Jaguar owners put up with mystery glitches and mechanical downtime as the price they had to pay to drive such elegant machines. In the meantime, Jaguar performance was left for dead not only by European brands, but by the hard-charging Japanese.
That today’s Jaguars are not just lovely, but are relevant and reliable, makes one feel a bit sorry for Ford, which gets to watch Tata enjoy the spoils. But while the company’s overseers are now in Mumbai instead of the Motor City, Jaguar buyers need not care: they still get the British royal treatment.Thursday, October 1, 2009
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