It appears that “JaguarDrive”- Jaguar’s new transmission interface previewed on the C-XF concept - may be in development for more than just the new Jaguar XF. We spotted this XKR test car, sporting a camouflaged front bumper, which prompted us to take a closer look inside. We were surprised by what we saw, or rather, what we didn’t see. The car’s normally prominent J-gate shifter was notably absent. The transmission tunnel was covered with fabric, so we couldn’t see what resided in place of the J-gate, but whatever it was, it laid flat, with no vertical protrusion to speak of, which pretty much describes the gear selector used in the C-XF concept. Some serious computer diagnostic gear sat in the passenger seat, and a mass of wires fed directly into the transmission tunnel, further suggesting that there is some real engineering work going on here.

So how does this JaguarDrive interface actually work? Well, Jaguar’s press information describes it like this: “Sink into the C-XF driver’s seat and a jewel-like Power button pulses on the centre console – its rhythm representing the ‘heartbeat’ of the car. Press the button and beneath your hand, concentric aluminum rings spiral downwards to allow the new circular JaguarDrive Selector to nestle directly in your palm.” The result is a streamlined center console, which appears to have been carried over onto Jaguar’s production XF, as we revealed two weeks ago in a spy shot of the XF’s interior. Although the driver’s hand blocked much of the center console, the JaguarDrive cues were clearly there. All evidence points to the fact that the concept’s transmission selector will be carried over essentially intact.

Which brings us back to this XKR prototype with the mysteriously missing shift lever. If Jaguar is working to outfit the XK with a variant of the XF’s transmission set-up, as it appears, the English blokes of Coventry must view JaguarDrive as an important way to separate themselves from the competition, and to announce Jaguar’s sporting intentions. Such a feature, with its integrated buttons to alter the car’s driving and launch characteristics, might be one way to lure a buyer’s attention away from the German and Japanese competition, and give the Jag owner something cool to show off at the country club. If Jaguar follows through, and speeds up the integration of the new transmission interface throughout its lineup, we wouldn’t be surprised to see JaguarDrive become as much of a branding exercise, as it is an engineering concept.

WCF

Per le ufficiali a pag 2

Allora ragazzi, in realtà questo non è il secondo muletto della XKR-R con il nuovo V8 di 5,0 litri che ha pure appunto il "JaguarDrive", quest'ultimo che vi spiego brevemente il funzionamento:

"Allora il nuovo "JaguarDrive" permette di impostare il cambio ZF, selezionando appunto "P", "R", "N", "D" o "S". Il pulsante rosso, con luce ad intermittenza, posto sopra il selettore, è quello di avvio del propulsore. Vi sono poi quattore precisi tasti, due sopra e altri due posti più in basso. Primi due per il controllo di trazione e stabilità, mentre gli altri sono il tasto "Sport" che pigiandolo imposta setta completamente l'auto per una guida più sportiva e il tasto dell'ASL, il limitatore elettronico della velocità! Per concludere ci sarà, al di fuori del "JaguarDrive", vicino al bracciolo anche un tasto di stazionamento della vettura."

autoblog

Nessuno ha parlato di XKR-R

Non dicono esattamente la sigla XKR-R ma qui parlano chiaramente della versione superiore alla XKR come potenza derivata dalla XKR Apex del GT3 e pronta a competere con M6 etc

http://www.motorauthority.com/cars/jaguar/spy-shots-jaguar-xf-and-500hp-xkr/#more-2490

Spy Shots: Jaguar XF and 500HP XKR

Posted on Wednesday 30 May 2007

Jaguar’s engineers have been very busy with the development of the new XF, renting an entire house and garage behind a fuel station in Austria to work on the new car in privacy. Or so they thought. This latest barrage of spy images reveal several Jag prototypes, including two new XF saloons, an older S-Type test-mule and a production version of the Apex Motorsport prepped XKR GT3.

When questioned, one of the drivers revealed that not only were they testing the new XF, but development work for a high-performance version of the XK was also underway. The gaping holes in the test car’s bonnet are said to send cold air to a newly developed supercharged engine that develop upwards of 500hp. Racing buckets and a complete roll cage meant that this coupe was something special - a genuine rival to the M6.

The images, courtesy of our friends at Autogespot, also reveal one of four S-Type prototypes with widened wheel arches, no doubt a camouflaged mule for a performance version of the new XF.

Previous reports suggested that Jaguar would release two new supercharged models. One, a 4.2L V8 version with around 420hp on tap, and the other a high-performance flagship with a supercharged 5.0L V8 developing between 460 and 500hp that will be shared with the XK coupe.

Per altro interessante la S-Type con passaruote allargati (e cerchi della XK da 19 e da 20) e scarichi come quelli della XF che starebbe testando soluzioni tecniche per la piu performante delle XF.

Guardando il numero di targa della S-Type risulta immatricolata nel 2004 con motore di 4.2 litri ma chissa che modifiche sta provando

http://www.autoblog.com/media/2007/05/jaguardrive.gg1.kgp.ed.jpg

http://www.autoblog.com/media/2007/05/jaguardrive.gg2.kgp.ed.jpg

http://www.autoblog.com/media/2007/05/jaguardrive.gg3.kgp.ed.jpg

autoblog

Nessuno ha parlato di XKR-R

si scusami, volevo dire che non era un semplice muletto della XKR bensì si tratta proprio della più potente XKR-R! sorry

auto.cz

autogespot

è la XK-RR!!!

Update: nuove foto spia e info da Auto Express della XK-RR

It’s the hottest question of the week – ‘R’ you ready for the meanest Jaguar XK ever? These are the latest spy shots of the flagship coupé.

Our spies caught the new XKR-R undergoing winter testing in Sweden. And although it looks like a regular XKR at first glance, closer inspection reveals that this prototype is much more fiery. Just check out the larger quad exhaust pipes, as well as the prominent ‘ducktail’ bootlid spoiler and mismatched wheels.

Under the bonnet lies Jaguar’s new 5.0-litre supercharged V8, which produces 500bhp – hence the enlarged exhausts. Delivering a huge step-up in performance over the XKR, the R-R model will sprint from 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds and should hit a maximum speed in excess of 180mph.

That will all require better aerodynamics, and although the XK’s elegant body won’t be changed dramatically, the R-R version will get a subtle but muscular bodykit. This will include the rear spoiler shown here, which is designed to boost stability at high speed. The handling will also be improved, thanks to an increased track and rear wheels that are larger and wider than those of the current XKR – that’s why there are mismatched rims on this test mule.

Other changes will include stiffened suspension, retuned adaptive dampers and uprated brakes, along with a revised six-speed automatic gearbox.

The XKR-R has been made possible by Ford’s sale of Aston Martin, which has left the way clear for a high-performance Jaguar to rival the V8 Vantage. The newcomer is likely to reach showrooms in 2008, carrying a price tag of around £75,000.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/images/front_...o_237141_25.jpg

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/images/front_...o_236775_25.jpg

Te pareva se non si faceva fotografare al Ring.....