Thursday, June 24, 2010

2011 Jaguar XKR 75 To Debut at Goodwood


Jaguar is to unveil the limited edition Jaguar XKR 75 at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 2 in celebration of Jaguar’s 75th anniversary! Jaguar Cars Ltd.

Jaguar engineers increased the power and torque of the acclaimed 5.0-litre supercharged engine to 530PS and 655Nm respectively for the XKR 75, to deliver truly outstanding performance. While the limited edition model’s top speed is electronically limited to 174mph (280km/h), the XKR 75’s 0—60mph (100km/h) acceleration time is reduced from 4.6 to 4.4 seconds compared to the standard 510 PS XKR.

The Jaguar XKR 75 features revised suspension and handling for increased precision and agility in addition to the performance enhancements. To ensure the XKR 75 remains stable at high speeds, a revised aerodynamic body pack with a front splitter, side sills extensions, a rear diffuser and larger rear spoiler provide increased balance and a reduction in lift. The XKR’s computerised Active Differential Control also adjusts to reduce steering sensitivity at very high speeds, further improving stability and driver control.

In October, Jaguar will begin delivering cars to customers in the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands.


Press Release

JAGUAR XKR 75 MAKES DEBUT AT GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED

  • XKR 75 to celebrate Jaguar's 75thanniversary
  • Only 75 will be produced making it one of the most exclusive and exciting XKR's
  • Higher performance than standard XKR - 0-60 seconds time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 174mph
  • Power and torque increased to 530PS and 655Nm respectively
  • Upgraded handling and suspension package for increased precision and agility
  • Sports exhaust with improved acoustics to match performance

An exclusive XKR - the XKR 75 - will make its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 2.

Jaguar Land Rover's new CEO, Dr Ralf Speth, initiated the challenge to the Jaguar engineering team to construct an XKR to celebrate Jaguar's 75th anniversary, which would deliver a combination of enhanced performance, superb chassis and steering control and grip levels to inspire the driving enthusiast to explore the true potential of the XKR's capabilities.

Mike O'Driscoll, managing director, Jaguar Cars, said: "The XKR 75 will provide owners with exclusivity, excitement and a hint of Jaguar's great heritage. This is a fitting way to celebrate the sporting credentials of the XK marque in the 75th year of the Jaguar name," he continued.

Jaguar engineers increased the power and torque of the acclaimed 5.0-litre supercharged engine to 530PS and 655Nm respectively for the XKR 75, to deliver truly outstanding performance. While the limited edition model's top speed is electronically limited to 174mph (280km/h), the XKR 75's 0-60mph (100km/h) acceleration time is reduced from 4.6 to 4.4 seconds compared to the standard 510 PS XKR.

Using the rigid lightweight aluminium architecture of the XK as a solid foundation, theincreased power of the XKR 75 is matched by an agile, dynamic chassis that handles supremely, rides exceptionally well and stops with surefooted reassurance time after time.

The Jaguar XKR 75 features revised suspension and handling for increased precision and agility in addition to the performance enhancements. To ensure the XKR 75 remains stable at high speeds, a revised aerodynamic body pack with a front splitter, side sills extensions, a rear diffuser and larger rear spoiler provide increased balance and a reduction in lift.The XKR's computerised Active Differential Control also adjusts to reduce steering sensitivity at very high speeds, further improving stability and driver control.

And with an improved acoustics package for the semi-active sports exhaust, the XKR 75 produces a pulse-racing growl to match its performance.

The car's driver-focussed character, however, has not been achieved at the expense of the Jaguar traditional values of refinement and comfort.

"We conceived the XR 75 as a sports car with a duality of character that makes it perfectly suited to driving across Europe to the Nurburgring, completing some very fast laps, and then driving home again, added Mike Cross, Chief Engineer Vehicle Integrity.

The XKR 75 features a new Stratus Grey finish. Red brake callipers contrast the eye-catching 20-inch gloss Vortex forged lightweight alloys with a dark technical finish and diamond turn. Customers will have the option to apply a unique body graphic that runs from the front bumper to the rear haunches.

The XKR 75's interior completes the driver-focussed performance environment finished in Charcoal with ivory stitch, piano black finish to facia and centre console and a Jet suedecloth headlining.

THE XKR 75 AT A GLANCE

The unique features of the exclusive new XKR 75 include:

  • Increased performance through detailed engine and transmission recalibration
    • Power increased to 530PS (compared to 510 PS on XKR)
    • Torque increased to 655Nm (compared to 625Nm on XKR)
    • Upgraded torque converter to handle the increased torque
  • Upgraded suspension systems for increased precision and agility
    • Increased spring and damper rates (front springs 28 per cent stiffer, rear springs 32 per cent stiffer)
    • New fully-machined aluminium front and revised rear suspension upright for increased camber stiffness (increased by 25 per cent)
    • Re-tuned Adaptive Dynamics damper control software
    • Reduced ride height (15mm front and 10mm rear)
  • Aerodynamic body pack with body coloured finish to front splitter, side sills extensions and rear diffuser, and body coloured larger rear spoiler and rear trunk lid finisher
  • Sports exhaust with improved performance and acoustics - system has new crossover pipe and larger exhaust outlets
  • New Stratus Grey exterior paint with optional graphics pack
  • Red brake callipers and 20" Vortex forged lightweight alloy wheels, diamond turned with dark grey finish
  • XKR performance interior in Charcoal and Ivory stitch leather, with Jet suedecloth headlining and XKR 75 tread plate
  • Active front lighting
  • Final calibration was done in partnership with the RSR engineering team which has been collaborating with Jaguar on the 2010 motorsport programme.

Production of the XKR 75 will be limited to just 75 vehicles, which will be available to order from July 2010 in the UK priced from £85,500 OTR. Customer deliveries will commence during October.


Ford Mustang V6 aims for 1,000 laps of Bristol track on one tank of fuel



How many laps of Bristol Motor Speedway will a V6-powered Ford Mustang run on one tank of fuel? Ford is about to find out as part of a marketing effort for the car, which got new V6 and V8 powertrains for the 2011 model year.



The 2011 Ford Mustang with its 305-hp 3.7L V6 engine set a new record by averaging 48.5 mpg on a track while completing 1,457 laps at an average speed of 43.9 mph.



The 2011 Mustang V6 has spent about 12 hours going 1000 laps on ¾ of a tank of gas and that would suggest that the Mustang has roughly 3-4 hours left and if they maintain an average of 43mph (they are shooting for 45, but there are stops and such), they are on a pace to run 129-172 more miles, or 242 to 322 laps - finishing up somewhere between 11pm and midnight.



Of course that 48.5 mpg record has been achieved by driving consistently on a track with average speed of 43.9 mph. The real life economy of the V6 Mustang is 31 mpg which is still very impressive considering that it delivers 305 hp. We’d just like to say well done to Ford and all those drivers who tolerated hours hours of mind-numbingly boring consistent economy driving to set this record!



So anyone who placed their bets on whether or not the Mustang had it in him, either start collecting or start paying. The Mustang proves to be a killer muscle car that wipes the floor with the 29mpg highway of the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro and the 26mpg of the 2010 Dodge Charger.





2011 Ford Mustang 1,000 lap challenge 2011 Ford Mustang 1,000 lap challenge 2011 Ford Mustang 1,000 lap challenge 2011 Ford Mustang 1,000 lap challenge 2011 Ford Mustang 1,000 lap challenge 2011 Ford Mustang 1,000 lap challenge 2011 Ford Mustang 1,000 lap challenge 2011 Ford Mustang 1,000 lap challenge








Press Release



MUSTANG V-6 AVERAGES 48.5 MPG; RUNS 1,457 LAPS AT BRISTOL ON A SINGLE TANK OF GAS




  • The 2011 Ford Mustang V-6 sets a new record by averaging 48.5 mpg on a track while completing 1,457 laps with an average speed of 43.9 mph
  • Mustang is powered by a new 3.7-liter V-6 engine that uses advanced engineering and technology to deliver great performance and fuel economy
  • More than 51,000 entries were received for the Mustang 1,000 Lap Challenge with 22 entries guessing the winning number of laps
  • A team of five drivers, including four Ford Mustang engineers and Ford NASCAR star David Ragan, drove the Mustang during its record run


Mustang 1,000 Lap Challenge



BRISTOL, TN., June 24, 2010 – The 2011 Ford Mustang, which made history when it became the first car ever to deliver more than 30 mpg and 305 horsepower, has set a new record by running 1,457 laps at Bristol Motor Speedway while averaging 48.5 mpg.



The Mustang 1,000 Lap Challenge was designed to demonstrate that a stock production Mustang V-6 could run 1,000 laps and 533 miles on a single of tank of fuel. With the aid of fuel efficient driving techniques by Ford engineers, the Mustang far surpassed its goal of 1,000 laps.



"To see a Mustang post average fuel economy of 48.5 mpg while running at Bristol is impressive," said Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer. "The new V-6 engine along with the advanced six-speed transmission in the car is a key element in delivering both fuel economy and performance for Mustang."



Ford is committed to being a fuel economy leader in every segment it competes in and Mustang's leads in its class along with other Ford fuel economy leaders like the Ford Fiesta, Fusion Hybrid and new Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, America's most fuel efficient luxury sedan.



The Challenge team, which included NASCAR star David Ragan and four Ford Mustang engineers, completed the challenge in 17 hours and 40 minutes, showing off the 2011 Mustang V-6's class-leading fuel economy by averaging 48.5 mpg over the course of the 776.5 miles logged during the Challenge. That distance is more than the two complete NASCAR Sprint Cup events that take place in Bristol every year.



Ragan pushed the Mustang past the 1,000-lap mark at 7:26 p.m., 12 hours and 26 minutes into the Challenge, but the car wasn't close to being out of fuel. Mustang engineer Seong Park was behind the wheel when it finally came to a halt (on the backstretch) of the famed NASCAR track at 12:41 a.m. local time.



Other Mustang Challenge team drivers included Tom Barnes, Jonathan Mehl and Carl Ek, who along with Park, rotated through one-hour driving stints during the event, which took place at the world's fastest half-mile track.



"When we hit 1,000 laps we still had a quarter of a tank of gas left," said David Ragan, driver of the No. 6 UPS Ford Fusion for Roush Fenway Racing, and the man who drove the 2011 V-6 Mustang past the 1,000 lap mark. "The last driving stint before I passed 1,000 laps I was averaging 43.7 miles a gallon and that is unbelievable. These guys have run the distance of more than two Sprint Cup races at Bristol and they still have fuel left. Congratulations to everyone behind the Mustang and to everyone at Ford, because this 2011 Mustang V-6 is really something special."



A team of Ford engineers prepared for the challenge by implementing fuel efficient driving tips like minimizing the use of air conditioning, steady and consistent driving, avoiding sudden stops/starts and by keeping the RPMs low. The engine in the Mustang is powered by a lightweight, all-aluminum 3.7-liter dual-overhead-cam (DOHC) V-6 engine that uses advanced engineering to deliver its combination of power and economy. Twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) adjusts the valve train in microseconds depending on driver inputs, further contributing to the engine's overall efficiency. The Mustang used in the challenge is a stock production vehicle that can be purchased through a Ford dealer.



"This is beyond our wildest dreams," said Tom Barnes, the lead engineer for the Ford Mustang 1,000 Lap Challenge. "There have been a lot of people who have done a lot of things in preparing this 2011 Mustang V-6 to run the Mustang 1,000 Lap Challenge and have the success we have had today. It was great when we went past the 1,000 lap mark with David, but nobody could ever imagine that we still had five hours ahead of us. This is a fantastic feeling and it shows again what a great car the 2011 Mustang V-6 is."



More than 51,000 consumers registered their guesses for the event at www.mustang1000lapchallenge.com. One lucky consumer that correctly guessed 1,457 laps will be randomly drawn from all correct entries and will win their own 2011 Mustang V-6.