The all new Jaguar XKR-S Convertible is now official, boasting a supercharged 5.0L V8 engine that is also found in the XKR-S Coupe. With 542-hp, this makes it Jaguar’s most powerful open-top model yet and also rounds off the XK-line with a convertible variant for every model.

Performance numbers for this convertible are impressive, with a 0-60 mph time of just 4.2-seconds and a top speed of 186-mph. And despite packing over 100-lbs more than the Coupe model, the performance figures are identical. Lowering the roof takes a mere 18-seconds after a push of a button and to ensure stability at its top speed, Jaguar’s engineers added some aerodynamic upgrades over the XKR Convertible, giving it a more aggressive look as well.

The XKR-S Convertible sits 0.4-inch lower, while the new front bumper sports a wider air intake and a carbon fiber splitter. New side skirts flow towards the rear where a new rear wing can be found sporting a carbon fiber center. All of the aerodynamic changes equate to a 26-percent improvement to downforce.

And to give it a classier appearance, the chrome trim was swapped out for gloss black painted pieces, while the 20-inch Vulcan wheels are standard along with the brake calipers done in a bright red or more subtle gunmetallic grey. The suspension is also upgraded from the XKR Convertible, with stiffer springs and Active Damping software in order to maximize body control and grip. The front features massive 15-inch rotors with the rear barely smaller at 14.8-inch. The result is 38-percent more stopping power than the XKR counterpart.

GALLERY: Jaguar XKR-S Convertible

Jaguar will officially unveil the XKR-S Convertible today at the LA Auto Show. For a full preview of the show and complete coverage, click here.

Say the word Jaguar, and probably the first thing to come to mind won’t be fuel efficiency.

Jaguar recently took a road trip from New York to Los Angeles in a British spec XF 2.2 Diesel, and covered the 2884-miles journey at an average of 62.9-mpg. This makes it the most efficient Jaguar ever made.

The car Jaguar used was a showroom stock model and was not modified in any way. The trip took 8 days to complete, while the car made just 4 fuel stops.

The XF diesel achieved its best result on the penultimate day of the trek, achieving 67-mpg. That is incredible for a five-seater luxury sedan of any size, even if the trek was done at an average speed of just 53-mph. Jaguar credits its new 8-speed automatic gearbox and revised aerodynamics, which is available on all the 2012 XF models.

While the X-type, Jaguar‘s first attempt into the entry-luxury class, was ultimately a failure that earned a spot on Time Magazine’s “50 Worst Cars Of All Time,” Jaguar’s new and rejuvenated line-up of late looks to be the perfect opportunity to try again.

This time, due to CAFE regulations, Jaguar must begin preparing a significant amount of petrol-engined cars that are capable of 50mpg. There’s not a moment to lose then, as Jaguar’s engineers are reportedly in development of a brand new front wheel drive baby sedan that will pit against the Audi A3 and Benz CLC compact sedans, both of which are front wheel drive platforms as well. To launch by 2015, this entry sedan will be powered by Jaguar Land Rover’s latest three cylinder 1.5 liter engine and four cylinder and 1.8 or 2.0 liter turbocharged petrol and diesel engines.Its gearbox will be just as sophisticated with a choice of eight and nine-speed automatics.

Aimed to boost sales in China, India, and the United states, the little kitten seems to be off to a good start. While we cannot be certain whether its exterior will resemble the illustration, the rendering does hint at a miniaturized XF. That’s a compliment.

According to former Jaguar Land Rover boss, Carl-Peter Forster, Jaguar needs a, “successor to the X-type… and we need [it] in several variations.” Adian Hallmark, Jaguar’s global brand director, adds, ” We’ve got to be careful, and not be too British and think that just because we didn’t hit the bull’s eye first time[with the X-type], we cant’ hit it a second time.”

From the get-go, this model was not meant to compete against the rear wheel drive BMW 3-series. Jaguar wanted to create a compact, eco-friendly, executive vehicle instead. Beyond the new selection of small engines, further measures to address the vehicle’s efficiency include the promise of an extremely aerodynamic exterior and a “mixed-materials” structure that will show extensive use of aluminum and is designed to achieve maximum strength and rigidity while costs are kept to a minimum.

On the topic of cost, expect the entry level Jaguar to begin at £22,000 or $35,000.

[Source: Autocar]

Jaguar has announced two different packages for the XJ, adding some sport and speed to the luxury sedan. The sport package focuses on the aesthetics, adding an aerodynamic package to the XJ with new front and rear bumpers, 20-inch wheels and red brake calipers.

On the inside, the sport package outfits the interior with sport bucket seats up front and new cabin trim options. On the other end of the spectrum, the speed package simply changes the top speed of the XJ, altering the electronic speed limiter from 155-mph to 174-mph. The two packages will be available in the UK first, but should make its way to Stateside shortly. No pricing was announced.

GALLERY: Jaguar XJ Sport and Speed Packages

The ultra-limited production Jaguar XKR-S will get a droptop companion sometime in 2012, with Jaguar unveiling the 2013 Jaguar XKR-S Convertible at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show on November 16th.

With a 5.0L supercharged V8 making 542 horsepower and 502 lb-ft , making it the most powerful Jaguar ever produced. The coupe can hit 60 mph in 4.2 seconds while reaching speeds of 186 mph. Expect the droptop to be just a tick slower due to the added weight. Jaguar will also show the C-X16 concept in North America for the first time, giving domestic show goers a glimpse of the amazing turbine powered concept.

[Source: Motor Authority]

The team at Jaguar have now begun North American testing of a standard 2.2 liter four-cylinder diesel Jaguar XF and, to channel the spirit of the Cannonball, have appointed two independent drivers to take their diesel sedan across 2,800 miles and through the 11 states between New York City and Los Angeles.

While the words ‘diesel’ and ‘Jaguar’ together may sound strange to folks in North America, lorry engines have motivated the XF since its inception. The most fuel efficient Jaguar available, the diesel XF  can still produce a respectable 190 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. As a matter of fact, a diesel Jaguar has been Jeremy Clarkson’s Top Gear Challenge vehicle of choice more than once.

Jaguar’s purpose of the journey is to evaluate just how frugal the Jaguar’s 2.2-liter diesel can be. For scientific accuracy, a GPS device will be fitted to the car to track its progress. An added bonus, the GPS can also act as an interactive social event that will enable the car to be tracked on facebook and twitter.

Perhaps more interesting, however, is the fact that this test seems to signify (at least in some small way) a desire for Jag to sell diesels in the U.S.

GALLERY: Jaguar XF 2.2 Diesel

Despite these uncertain economic times, some luxury car makers have made healthy sales gains in recent months, particularly Land Rover. Along with sister company Jaguar, which had been languishing behind somewhat, the JLR group collectively boasted a 26 percent gain in global sales last month.

Much of the increase came from Jaguar, which saw demand rise by a whopping 157 percent in China, Land Rover, by comparison, reported gains of 85 percent in the same market.

In Europe, demand for both brands was up by some 37 percent, largely fueled by strong demand for new Range Rover Evoque and Jaguar XF diesel.

In North America, where Jaguar Land Rover has been struggling recently, September represented a refreshing turn of events, with demand up by some 10 percent, largely aided by the XF, which is proving quite popular with buyers here.

Phil Popham, Group Sales Director for Jaguar Land Rover went on the record stating that [2011] “has been our strongest September since 2007 when the industry was hit hard by the recession. Since that time we have introduced a host of new models and engines that has driven sales growth and attracted new consumers to our brands.”

It’s nice to know there’s at least some bright spots in an era seemingly dominated by much doom and gloom.

10. 2012 BMW M5

There’s no denying that the 2012 BMW M5 probably deserves a higher spot on our Frankfurt Auto Show Top 10 list, but here it is anyway. Maybe it’s that we all knew several months ago that it would have a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 and make 562-hp that made its “official” reveal less captivating than it otherwise could have been. Still, don’t let the 10th place spot make you believe we think any less of what is likely to be crowned as the world’s highest performance sedan. After all, the M5 delivers the sort of performance you only expect to see in a concept car. But this is one very real machine.

The last Jaguar to offer all-wheel drive was the X-Type, a compact sedan that was ignored by the U.S. marketplace. But that isn’t detering Jaguar from planning to offer AWD on their XF and XJ sedans.

With a significant portion of Jaguar customers based on the East Coast, Jaguar needs to offer AWD for customers in the snowbelt, despite it being “cost prohibitive” according to Jaguar boss Adrian Hallmark. Hallmark said that AWD is a major selling point for brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi, and if the brand wants to keep up its momentum among luxury buyers, it needs to offer AWD.

[Source: Car and Driver]

With details released just ahead of its world debut, Jaguar‘s C-X16 two-seater concept was already generating a great amount of buzz. Now, with the car officially unveiled, it’s so far more than lived up to expectation.

The first two-seater Jaguar since the XJ-220 super car of the early 1990s, the C-X16 explores a new market for the brand,  one where the company could possibly compete against cars like the Porsche Cayman S and 911.

Power comes from a 380 metric horsepower 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 that’s supplemented by a steering activated; Formula 1 inspired Hybrid Boost system that, via an electric motor integrated with the car’s eight-speed automatic transmission adds an additional 95 metric horsepower and 143 lb-ft of torque.

Jaguar claims the C-x16 concept can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 4.4 seconds, will reach a top speed of 186 mph and thanks to a virtual 50:50 front/rear weight distribution (the Hybrid battery pack  is mounted behind the seats) reportedly delivers superb cornering ability.

During the unveiling, Global Brand Director of Jaguar Cars Ltd; Adrian Hallmark, declared that, “theC-X16 embodies the established Jaguar strengths of sensual design, animal-like agility and inspirational performance and combines these with attributes that set us on a course to create sustainable sports cars of the future.”

Ian Callum, Jaguar’s Director of Design, added; “Jaguars have always been dramatically different. With the C-X16 we have moved the current award-winning design language on to the next generation, creating a car that is the very essence of future Jaguar performance.”

Given the response it generated; if there was one concept car on display at this year’s Frankfurt show that deserves to be put into to production, the C-X16 is most certainly it.

GALLERY: Jaguar C-X16 Concept

Watch video of the C-X16 Concept after the jump:

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