Jaguar says it will have an all-wheel-drive version of its flagship XJ sedan ready in less than two years, which should coincide with the launch of the car’s mid-cycle refresh. Jag hopes the move will increase its sales in the northern United States, where it has traditionally held the strongest foothold in the U.S. market. According to Jaguar, the all-wheel-drive model will be crucial to maintaining that foothold, as nearly 70 percent of sedans sold in the Rust Belt send power to all four wheels.

Though the all-wheel-drive XJ is the most important prospect for the American market, Jaguar is planning a raft of new and redesigned models to reinvigorate its sales around the world. The company’s plan to release a small luxury sedan below the XF is still in place, with pricing to start around £28,000.

Before the small luxury sedan drops, Jaguar is planning to release a four-cylinder diesel version of the XF to try and steal some of BMW‘s diesel 5 Series sales. For a little perspective, diesel four-cylinder models account for 60 percent of 5 Series sales in Europe.

Photos copyright (C)2011 Zach Bowman / AOL

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Jaguar readying all-wheel-drive XJ originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s been a while since we heard anything from Ian McElroy. As you may recall, he’s the twisted mind who came up with the notion of lodging a Subaru boxer four-cylinder between the rails of a motorcycle frame. Well, it appears that he’s been a busy bee since showing off his first take on the Kickboxer Concept. McElroy has set about reimagining his creation with a diesel boxer lump at the heart of the action. The engine is still sourced from Fuji Heavy Industries, though it’s both smaller and more efficient than the old gasoline lump.

The newest addition to the Kickboxer family boasts new body work and a different swing arm design along with a new turbo configuration. Not quite mad enough for you? How about sticking an all-wheel drive version of the oil-burning moto in your pipe? McElroy worked up a twin-chain design that works with some help from a jack shaft, idler sprocket and a drive axle.

These aren’t just some random renderings, though. McElroy says that he has all of the CAD files he needs to have the bikes machined and built. All he needs is the coin to do so. Shall we start passing the hat?

[Source: The Kneeslider]

New Kickboxer Concept is all-wheel-drive diesel insanity on two wheels originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo has announced plans to bring a “virtually production ready” V60 plug-in hybrid to the Geneva Motor Show this March, and if it makes it to market, it will be both the automaker’s first gasdiesel-electric production model and the first all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid to be sold in the States.

The V60 hybrid will essentially pack two separate drivetrains: a 215-horsepower turbodiesel 2.4-liter five-cylinder up front and a 70-hp electric motor mounted between the rear wheels. A 12 kWh lithium-ion battery pack feeds juice to the rear electric motor and Volvo claims that the V60 hybrid can be driven for up to 31 miles on electricity alone. Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby is adamant that the V60 will be a sports wagon for the enthusiast, which we can hopefully confirm when sales begin in 2012.

[Source: Volvo]

Continue reading Volvo bringing all-wheel-drive V60 plug-in hybrid to Geneva

Volvo bringing all-wheel-drive V60 plug-in hybrid to Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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