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

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]

Revealed ahead of the Frankfurt Auto Show, the new Jaguar C-X16 concept moves Jaguar one big step close to becoming a credible threat to the Germans, giving the first look at a volume sports car.

There may be some similarities to Jag’s grand touring XK, but the C-X16 is a smaller two-seater. In fact, it’s roughly 14-inches shorter end to end and Jag claims it’s the smaller car they’ve designed since the XK120 back in 1954.

Power output of 376-hp and 332 lb-ft of torque from a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engine sounds solid enough, but then Jag has added on an additional 92-hp and 173 lb-ft of torque from a hybrid system. With a button mounted on the steering wheel, full power can be accessed, delivering a 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 186 mph.

As a hybrid, the Jag sports car also promises impressive fuel economy, with the ability to travel at speeds of up to 50 mph on just electric power.

Styling is more modern, taking design cues from the C-X74 supercar concept, and while impressive it’s also not a huge departure from Jag’s past and could begin to look dated not longer after the car hits the market – which it most certainly will. Expect a production announcement at the Frankfurt Auto Show on September 13th.

GALLERY: Jaguar C-X16 Concept

Looking for a uniquely British experience? 51 Buckingham Gate, Taj Suites and Residences has you covered. Located in London, just around the corner from the Buckingham Palace, this luxury hotel has just announced the addition of a Jaguar-themed suite.

The 1,832 square foot abode is part of an exciting collaboration between Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces and Jaguar – both of which just so happen to be owned by Indian automaker Tata.

The project is more than just a convenient tie-up, however, with Jaguar Design Director Ian Callum overseeing the creation of the room, which includes the use of leather, metal and wood from Jaguar’s lineup of luxury cars. The experience within the pad starts out subtly at the door, with sleek wood paneling, but progresses to Jaguar damask lining the bedroom walls. The fireplace takes cues from the shape of Jaguar’s hallmark rear window. Custom made wallpaper with subtle Jaguar motifs can also be found throughout the suite. The ‘flat’ combines both classic and contemporary Jaguar models, from the legendary 1960′s E-type to the high tech C-X75 concept.

The suite is absolutely stunning. We highly recommend you check it out for yourself if you’ve got the loot. Otherwise, browse the photos below.

GALLERY: Jaguar Inspired Suite

The Williams Formula 1 team has a long and somewhat checkered history at the pinnacle of motor sports, and like some of its competitors, have delved into the business of sports cars. Williams was full at hand with the development of the Renault Clio Williams from the early to mid ’90s, and had even developed a concept van called the Renault Espace F1, which was a minivan with a Renault engine taken from an F1 race car.

While on the motor sport side, Williams is still doing business with Renault (with whom they have just signed on with again for the 2012 season), however it is also working with Jaguar on a very special road car.

The car in question is the C-X75 supercar that Jaguar has decided to put into production. This hybrid supercar will use kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) similar to the ones used in Formula 1 racers, and Williams is responsible for perfecting this technology for use in this super Jaguar.

Williams chairman Adam Parr wants to take thing even further, saying; “We would like to become the competition and sporting side of Jaguar.” In other words, Williams could become the AMG of Jaguar road cars.

Williams has been on hand with the C-X75 from the very beginning. Parr said; “When the C-X75 was first envisaged it was powered by two turbines manufactured by Bladed Jets, which is part owned by Jaguar owner Tata Motors. But we have concentrated on adopting a path that will make the C-X75 the cleanest and more environmentally friendly supercar of all time. “So at the moment we are concentrating on a downsized internal combustion engine combined with some pretty amazing kinetic energy recovery systems.”

This partnership could lead to this technology trickling down to more Jaguar road cars, and could also spawn the return of Jaguar in competitive racing.

Time will tell what more this partnership will bring. For now, expect to see the production C-X75 to hit the showrooms in about two-years time.

GALLERY: Jaguar C-X75

[Source: Autocar]

Andy Goss, President of Jaguar Land Rover North America has bold plans for Land Rover to hit 50,000 U.S sales by 2012 and for Jaguar to reach the same goal within five years.

Land Rover sold 31, 864 units in 2010 and has sold 20,000 vehicles through July of 2011. ”Both brands have some similarities in the fact that we are planning for growth predicated on product introductions,” said Goss. With the new compact  Evoque added to the lineup, Goss feels the 50,000 mark is within the automakers reach. Jaguar will most likely have more trouble attaining the 50,000 unit goal, based on the fact that the automaker only sold 13,340 units in 2011. Jaguar hoping to up sales with help from a sports car that the brand is considering, which may debut as a concept at the Frankfurt auto show. Goss did not provide any details but noted that Jaguar needs a small sports car and a sedan to compete with the BMW 3-Series.

[Source: Automotive News]

Jaguar has just released the above teaser sketch of what it calls the C-X16 production concept. The name itself speaks volumes, and while this concept is intended to give a look at the future of Jaguar design, it’s likely to be a near production model.

What isn’t clear, is how close this vehicle is to the rumored small Jaguar sports car, or if it’s a look at the next XK – a vehicle that desperately needs to be replaced.

Designed by Ian Callum, he refers to the car as, “a precursor to future Jaguar sports cars that will aim to set new class benchmarks in design, vehicle dynamics and technology.”

We’ll find out more when the car is revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 13th.