Which Jaguar Model Is Right for You? What Fits Your Style?

“Grace… Space… Pace”

Since the 1950s, this slogan has defined Jaguar. For buyers looking for a comfortable, luxury car that’s fun to drive and above all stylish, it’s definitely difficult to beat this English manufacturer. Long famed for high performance luxury cars, the company is reinventing itself with a string of new models to maintain it’s English craftsmanship heritage while pushing the design into the 21st century.

However, the most important question is which one is right for you? The entire lineup is loaded with equipment expected from a modern luxury car ranging from high-end sound systems to panoramic sunroofs, but each model delivers a unique combination of features for everyone from the executive to the driving enthusiast.

The XJ

The Jaguar XJ’s aluminum space frame chassis of this grand luxury sedan makes the car incredibly light for its size. As a result, the sedan has all the space and comfort of a large luxury sedan, without the characteristic heavy driving feel. Not only will it embarrass many midsize luxury sedans on curvy roads, but it can also accelerate faster than any comparable models on the market.

Although the car has only been on the market since 2010, that hasn’t stopped engineers from making innovative improvements each year, rather than resting on their laurels. This is the first car to get Jaguar’s new supercharged 3.0 liter V6. While other automakers have opted for turbocharging, Jaguar utilizes a supercharger to avoid the telltale turbo-lag. This results an engine that provides smooth power delivery comparable to a V8 with nearly identical performance, along with better fuel economy and front-to-rear weight balance.

The new Instinctive All Wheel Drive system provides better traction in bad weather, while being tuned to improve dry weather performance as well, maintaining the feel and driving dynamics of a rear-wheel-drive car. It even helps the car move faster, putting more power through the front wheels at launch and then to the rear as the weight shifts under acceleration.

The XF

The Jaguar XF delivers the driving experience and many design features of the XJ in a smaller package, only trading some rear seat and trunk room for even better handling. While many automakers aim to clock the fastest time on the Nurburging, this sedan goes one step further. Last year, proving it’s speed at the 24-Hour Race, the XF took home the trophy.

For the most part, the major differences between the XF variants are the engine options. The base XF get a 2.0 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, producing 240 horsepower that, thanks to the lightweight chassis, allows the car to go from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds. Not enough power? The 3.0 liter V6 option produces 340 hp and the supercharged 5.0 liter V8 bumps that power figure to 470 hp. The XFR gets an engine tuned to produce 510 hp with an XFR-S model expected this Spring at 550 hp..

The XK

The Jaguar XK follows a long line of fantastic grand touring cars including legends like the E-type and XK120. Like the XF, the XK is available with a 5.0 liter V8 in standard and supercharged versions, while the XKR delivers more power and better handling.

At the top of the lineup is the XKR-S. It gets a version of the supercharged V8 producing 550 hp and 502 lb.-ft. of torque, as well as a race suspension to provide supercar-like performance. Since its creation, this car was designed to do a sub-8-minute lap on the Nurburgring. The XKR-S was also planned from the start to retain its ride quality, making it one of the few cars in this class that is still comfortable in real-world conditions. Like the rest of the XK lineup, the XKR-S has a suspension that can be adjusted on the fly to provide more comfort or sharper handling. However it is missing the garishness of most tuner luxury cars; to the casual observer, the only tip-offs to this car’s performance are the small hood inlets and the badging.

If you’re yearning for a convertible, any of the XK trims come available with a drop top. The weight and structural rigidity penalties are very minor, giving all these cars the same performance experience as their hardtop counterparts..

To test drive the Jaguar XJ, XK, or XF in DFW, visit us at Park Place Jaguar Dallas or Park Place Jaguar Plano.

Tags: Jaguar Dallas, Jaguar Plano, Jaguar XF, Jaguar XJ, Jaguar XK

The 2013 Jaguar XF : A New Supercharged V6 and Much More

From its lightweight aluminum spaceframe construction to its bold styling, the XF has carved out a niche as a fun alternative to traditional luxury sedans by offering unparalleled driving involvement and agility.

Even though Jaguar’s flagship had a refresh just two years ago, the company isn’t resting on its laurels. A pair of new engines, a new transmission and all wheel drive are some of the new features which have been added this year to keep the 2013 Jaguar XF on top. For the first time in recent memory, buyers will be able to get a car which not only has the looks and agility expected from a Jaguar, they’ll be able to get this driving experience while being able to beat its rivals at the gas pump. Here are some of the key highlights to the XF:

Supercharged V6: Jaguar Returns to the Six Cylinder
Name any classic Jaguar, and chances are that it came equipped with a six cylinder: The XJ, XK120 and even the E-type were all built around these engines, and they had no problem beating their V8-powered rivals. The company is finally returning to this design with the introduction of the first new Jaguar engine in fifteen years: a supercharged 3.0 liter V6 based on the AJ V8.

The designers did a lot more than merely cut off a couple cylinders and called it a day. A new, more compact supercharger combined with a water to air intercooler and a re-engineered combustion chamber help this engine produce 335 hp and 331 lb-ft. of torque. While the cylinder may be 50 hp and 49 lb-ft. of torque less than the outgoing 5.0 liter V8, the new V6′s flatter powerband and lower weight provides almost identical on-road performance.

The innovation extends past the motor: Counterbalancing and redesigned engine mounts eliminate vibration, giving the V6-powered XF all the smoothness of its eight cylinder cousin. The new stop/start system also cuts fuel consumption in stop-and-go driving, yet is so quick the motor is running before the driver has time to move his or her foot from the brake pedal over to the accelerator.

If it drives like the V8, is as quiet as the V8 and is as smooth as the V8, then why go for the V6? According to EPA estimates, fuel economy has gone up two mpg in both city and highway driving, saving drivers thousands in fuel costs over the life of the vehicle while providing performance superior to its six cylinder rivals.

Four Cylinder: Hybrid Economy Without Hybrid Complexity
After a very positive reception in the Land Rover Evoque, parent company Tata has decided to send the SUV’s turbocharged 2.0 liter four cylinder over to Jaguar for use in their cars, starting with the XF. The lightest engine in Jaguar’s history, this motor provides 240 hp and 251 lb-ft. of torque allowing the car to go from 0 to 60 in 7.5 seconds. EPA estimated fuel economy figures have yet to be released, but highway fuel economy should be at least 29 mpg on the highway, handily beating heavier, more complex and far more expensive rivals like the Mercedes Benz S400 Hybrid.

Supercharged V8s: Ultimate Performance
The supercharged 5.0 liter V8 continues to be available in 470 hp tune in the XF Supercharged and 510 hp tune in the XFR. New this year is the Speed Pack, bringing aerodynamic and suspension improvements which allow the XFR to hit a top speed of 174 mph. Like the V6, the V8s also get the stop/start system for improved fuel economy.

All Wheel Drive: More Traction and More Speed
Buyers now have the option of ordering their V6-powered XF with Jaguar’s new Intelligent All Wheel Drive system. This computer-controlled system gathers information on wheel speed, braking and steering angles to provide the right amount of power to each tire. Not only does this improve traction in bad weather, the system adjusts to body movement for better handling and quicker launches.

Eight Speed Transmission: Fast Shifting and Increased Smoothness
The six speed automatic has been replaced by a new 8 speed ZF automatic, improving fuel economy and power. Thanks to some clever tuning by Jaguar engineers, drivers can switch gears using the paddle shifters with all the speed of a DSG transmission but without the associated weight penalty.

New Stereos
Bowers and Wilkins stereos are returning to Jaguar, providing stunning audio performance while drawing less power. Standard on the XF is a 380 watt, 14 speaker system with the option of a 825 watt, 20-speaker unit. Both systems can stream via Bluetooth, a pair of USB ports or Auxiliary jacks. HD radio is included, as is a single-slot CD player with a “virtual” CD changer held on a 30 GB hard drive. The system can copy and hold audio from up to 10 CDs, eliminating the wait needed to swap discs in a traditional changer.

Without a doubt, Jaguar is definitely starting off the New Year by maintaining their top spot for 2013 luxury sedans. Click here to see the new 2013 Jaguar arrivals at Park Place Jaguar.

Tags: 2013 Jaguar XF, Jaguar Dallas, Jaguar Plano

Park Place Jaguar Plano Announced As The Best Dealership To Work For By Automotive News

On Wednesday October 17^th, 2012, during an evening ceremony at the Ritz Carlton in Chicago, Automotive news announced the rankings for their “100 Best Dealerships To Work For.” We are honored to say that not only was Park Place on that list, but Park Place Jaguar Plano landed at number one!

Since welcoming the Jaguar Plano dealership into the Park Place family, there have been drastic changes in the way the dealership looks, feels, and most importantly, how it operates. As you walk through the dealership, you will meet an incredible team of Park Place Members who are devoted to serving our clients with the utmost in care and integrity, with a focus on our continuous goal of being “Experts in Excellence”. Everyone knows that there are a lot of moving parts to make a client’s experience outstanding, from the moment they pick up the phone to talk with us or walk into the dealership, to the time they leave with a smile, and this award is an astounding testament to the fact that providing an excellent experience cannot be achieved without stringent hiring practices, training, and guidance that allows a team to work as a whole towards a common goal.

To be known as the number one dealership to work for in the country is truly an amazing accomplishment for us and we are thankful for the team that helps us achieve it every day. In the words of Park Place Dealerships’ Founder and Chairman, Kenneth Schnitzer, “You can have the prettiest buildings in the world and the best cars in the world, but if you don’t have people who are knowledgeable and well trained to deliver outstanding client service, then you’re wasting your time.”

We are so proud to receive this recognition, and hope that you will visit us at Park Place Jaguar Plano to see for yourself how special a dealership experience can truly be.

For more information about Automotive News’ “100 Best Dealerships To Work For”, you can read about the award at the Automotive News website.

Tags: Awards, Jaguar Dallas