Looking for the ultimate Jaguar GT? The new XKR is one heck of a ride, but if you're still fixated on the previous-generation model and want something a little more exclusive, Arden may have something in store for a select few. The Jaguar tuning house released the AJ18 at the 1999 Frankfurt auto show nearly a full decade ago, and announced it would built only 13 examples. In a strange twist, however, ten years and a whole new model since, the company has announced it will built another five for a few lucky customers.

The AJ18 gives the previous-generation Jaguar XK a distinctly racing appearance but is fully legal for road use. Although the engine remains untouched, Arden has upgraded the brakes and suspension for a more aggressive package, complimented by a carbon-composite aerodynamics package and upgraded 20" competition wheels. It'll probably get its clock cleaned by the latest version straight out of the Jaguar factory, but you can't put a price on exclusivity.

A few years back we went on one of the best road trips ever at the wheel of a Jaguar XK convertible. So we literally leapt at the chance to take the brand new one for a spin. Jaguar roadsters have always held a place of honor in the pantheon of stylish sports cars, dating back to the legendary XK120, forerunner of the current model - although stylistically the new XK owes more to the XK-E (E-Type) with its oval mouth. The XK120 referred to the car's top speed; when introduced in 1948 it was the world's fastest standard production car, with killer looks to match. It acquired an instant aura of glamor and cemented Jaguar's reputation forever when Gary Cooper, Clark Gable and Humphrey Bogart cruised Hollywood in their XK120s like stylish gods. (We'll develop on this theme further in a later installment).

The XK120 evolved into the famous race-winning XK120-C, or C-Type, that in turn led to the wicked D-Type, made famous by Steve McQueen, and eventually the iconic E-Type, which as noted the current model most closely resembles. First unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 1961, the E-Type's legendary power to attract the opposite sex was phrased best by American motoring writer Henry Manney III, who dubbed it "The greatest crumpet-catcher known to man." Not a bad precedent for its more recent relation. While we didn't actually catch any crumpets with the new XK, it wasn't the car's fault as we were more interested in zooming down the road than cozying up to the local flora and fauna. Also there are a lot more outlandish-looking autos on the road these days; compared to these the XK exudes an elegant aura of restrained power that behooves its feline namesake; very British in a sense.

For 2010 the aluminum-bodied XK available as of this August is kitted out with an AJ-V8 Gen III 5.0-liter engine capable of delivering 385 hp and 515 Nm of torque (a supercharged version produces 510 hp and 625 Nm of torque). With these numbers the naturally aspirated version hits 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. Some subtle, sporty updates over previous models have been made to the exterior without detracting from the car's stylistic heritage, including a new front end, new rear lights fitted with LED technology, a new rear body valance, body-colored side power vents, chrome-detailed inserts, and sleek alloy wheels.

Jaguar has announced plans to launch a brand new XJ sedan on July 9th in London. This is a critical vehicle for the British-born, Indian-owned brand, and it appears as if the automaker is pulling out all the stops to ensure this new edition is a success. Like the last XJ, the 2010 model will use a lightweight aluminum-intensive structure, to which a new 503-hp, supercharged, direct-injected, 5.0-liter V8 will be added. There's also rumor of a hybrid option.

The 2010 Jaguar XJ should officially begin arriving in showrooms this December, and we suspect it will be wearing sheetmetal that's inspired by the automaker's highly successful XF model. To whet our appetites, Jaguar has used the start of the Shanghai Motor Show this week to release a couple of teaser images that you can see below and a short video of the new cat, which you can watch after the break.


[Source: Jaguar]

Jaguar holds dear one of the richest of heritages in the automotive industry, and a not insignificant part of that history was forged at the Mille Miglia, one of the most grueling of races that took place between 1927 to 1957 through the Italian countryside between Brescia and Rome. Today the event is a revival of the iconic race of yore, and to celebrate its role in the original Mille Miglia, Jaguar is returning to the event with a convoy of some of its most treasured classics.

Included among the Jaguar factory team will be a long-nose D-Type, four C-Types and an original Mark VII sedan, some of which contested the race in the 50's. Jaguar's legendary test driver Norman Dewis, now in his 80's, will be participating, along with a fleet of modern XKRs and XFRs which Jaguar is sending along as support vehicles for the event, which takes place next month from May 13-17.

The famed British motorcar marque Jaguar began life as a different species altogether; in 1922 a company called Swallow began manufacturing motorcycle sidecars, building its first automobiles under the name SS in 1927; in 1945 the name was changed to Jaguar, and the rest was automotive history.

Jaguar: The Complete Story, a new book by Heiner Stertkamp, is a lavish visual history of the world-famous car maker, from its "ascension to fame with the postwar XK series cars," followed by the introduction of the iconic E-Type in 1961, the XJ series, and most recently the high-tech XF.

The book includes racing vehicles and prototypes as well as production models, all presented in sumptuous, large format photographs. With Jaguar beginning another chapter under new owner Tata Motors, this is a fitting time to review the rich history of one of the world's most enduring symbols of speed, style and beauty.

Possibly the finest example extant of Jaguar's famed E-Type, aka the "automotive sex symbol of the '60s," will be auctioned off by Bonhams at The Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline, Mass. today. Estimated at $120,000 - $150,000, making it one of the most expensive E-Types ever offered at auction, this 1967 roadster finished in the classic combination of British Racing Green with tan leather interior has captured several Best of Show and class wins and 100 point scores, from Amelia Island to the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix.

First unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 1961, the E-Type's legendary power to attract the opposite sex was phrased best by American motoring writer Henry Manney III, who dubbed it "The greatest crumpet-catcher known to man." 1967 was the last year before Federally-mandated regulations tampered with the E-Type's perfection, increasing this example's desirability. In one ownership for 16 years, this model was exquisitely restored down to the last nut and bolt, taking an estimated 3000 hours of restoration time and at a cost of over $200,000; in other words, let your conscience rest easy while bidding - it's also a good deal.

Tomorrow, Bonhams will auction off a number of classic and highly collectible cars at the Beaulieu National Motor Museum in the South of England. One of the most desirable lots is this bright red 1971 Aston Martin DB6 Mk2 Saloon with a black leather interior, estimated at $70,000 - $80,000. Some purists call the DB6 the last "real" Aston Martin, made before the company was sold off and modernized in the '70s. There are some beautiful Jaguars in the sale as well, including a 1956 XK140 Coupé, est. at $60,000 - $70,000; and prime Porsches including a 1964 356C, est. $43,000 - $46,000.

A legendary prototype sportscar that helped shaped the future of Jaguar was auctioned off at Bonhams & Butterfields' Quail Lodge Sale in California on Friday for just under $5 million, setting a new world record. Bids for the 1960 E2A (above), often called the "missing link" between the marque's classic D-Type and E-Type models, had been expected to reach up to $7 million in what has lately been a heated market for multimillion dollar automotive classics.

Raced by some of the world's top drivers at Le Mans and elsewhere, the beautiful car had an historic win in August of 1960 at Bridgehampton, NY, beating out a Maserati Birdcage. James Knight, International Head of Bonhams' motoring department, called the E2A "one of the most charismatic and significant prototypes ever produced anywhere." And $5 million - now the highest price ever paid for a Jaguar at auction - isn't too shabby.

On Aug. 9th London auction house Bonhams is staging a sale of classic Jaguar motorcars and related automobilia at Goodwood in Sussex, England. The sale boasts several incredible examples of the famed XK120, the model driven by stars like Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable and Gary Cooper in the '50s. The most expensive car on offer is a white D-Type engined 1953 XK120 in mint condition, originally owned by British raceing driver Mike Salmon, estimated at $200,000 - $300,000.

We're particularly fond of the XK Championship-winning 1954 XK120 Competition Roadster pictured above, est. $140,000 - $160,000. Also featured in the historic auction: the first steel-bodied, right-hand drive 1950 XK120 Roadster ever made, est. $220,000 - $260,000; a 1954 XK120SE Coupé finished in British Racing Green, est. $180,000 - $220,000; and a stately 1958 MkVIII Saloon, est. only $28,000 - $36,000.

On August 2nd, RM Auctions will sell of a stunning selection of classic cars, including a coveted Mercedes-Benz Gullwing (above), at the annual Meadow Brook Concours d'Élegance in Michigan. The event takes place at Meadow Brook Hall, the historic 110-room Tudor Revival mansion built in the 1920s by auto heiress Matilda Dodge Wilson. In May, RM set a world record by selling the 1961 Ferrari formerly owned by James Coburn which we wrote about for $11 million.

The Mercedes, a beautiful black 1956 300SL, is estimated at $575,000 - $675,000. We prefer it to the other, slightly more expensive Mercedes on offer, a 1936 500K three-position drophead coupe by Corsica, est. $600,000 - $750,000. Also included in the stunning sale: a 1937 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux Coupe, est. $475,000 - $575,000; a 1930 Isotta-Fraschini 8A Convertible Sedan by Castagna, similar to the one featured in Sunset Boulevard, est. $400,000 - $600,000; and a 1954 Jaguar XK 120SE Roadster, est. $80,000 - $110,000. See the gallery for more.

An ultra-rare 1955 Jaguar D-Type (above), the first production example ever made, is being auctioned off by Bonhams during the Goodwood Festival of Speed in Sussex, England on July 11. The car, which carries an estimate of $4 - $5 million and has a colorful racing history, is one of the most coveted sportscars ever produced; a similar one was owned by Steve McQueen.

Also featured in the historic sale: a super-cool lime green 1970 Lamborghini Miura P400S Series II Berlinetta similar to those owned by Frank Sinatra and Miles Davis, est. $440,000 - $500,000; a rare 1968 Bizzarrini GT Strada 5300 coupé, exhibited at the first Louis Vuitton Concours D'elegance in 1990, est. $400,000 - $500,000; a 1962 Cooper-Climax Type 61 'Monaco', raced by several famous name and one of only three believed to be in existence, est. $300,000 - $360,000; a 1961 Aston Martin DB4 competition saloon, est. $200,000 - $240,000; and more.

Renowned entrepreneur and broadcast veteran Art Astor is selling off part of his famous car collection in Anaheim, California this weekend. The sale, conducted by RM Auctions, mainly features American cars with a few classic imports of the kind we're partial to thrown in. We're particularly fond of this 1970 Jaguar XKE Series II Roadster, for example, which with an estimate of only $40,000 - $60,000 is something of a bargain. Also included in the sale: a 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I "Playboy" roadster which was used as a movie car and has been driven by Bette Davis and Robert Redford, est. $175,000 - $250,000; a 1968 Jaguar XKE Series I.5 2+2 Fixed Head Coupe, est. $30,000 - $40,000; a 1961 Jaguar XK150 3.8 Roadster, est. $80,000 - $120,000; a rare 1941 Chrysler Town & Country Nine-Passenger Estate "woody" wagon, est. $250,000 - $300,000; and a 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster. est. $125,000 - $150,000. See the gallery for pix, and place your bids online at LiveAuctioneers.com.

On Sunday June 8 London auction house Bonhams will stage its first ever auction in conjunction with the annual Greenwich Concours d'Elegance in Connecticut. The top-priced lots are rare racing cars prized by automotive historians, such as a 1931 Maserati Tipo 8C-2800 competition two-seater, est. $600,000 - $850,000, and a 1965 McLaren-Elva M1A Sports Racer, est. $250,000- $300,000. However, there are plenty of beautiful and highly collectible cars that one can actually drive on offer as well.

Among our favorites is this perfectly-restored British made 1956 AC Ace, est. $140,000 - 180,000, in British racing green, natch. Other highlights include: a 1963 Porsche 356B 1600 Super 90 Cabriolet, est. $110,000 - 130,000; a 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 Coupe, est. $110,000 - $135,000; a 1974 Jaguar Series III V-12 XK-E Roadster, est. $50,000 - $70,000; a 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet, est. $100,000 - $150,000; and the steal of the sale, a 1979 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II Saloon, est. only $25,000 - $35,000.

So the economy has been taking a hit lately, but as a general rule the highest of high end products haven't really been affected -- apparently those with money up to their ears haven't been feeling the pinch, until now.

Numbers are streaming in from luxury car brands reporting serious sales drops this year from 2007 -- Jaguar sales fell by 52% (whoa!), BMW by 27%, Porsche by 13%, and Land Rover by 17%. Even Ferrari (surprisingly) reported a decline for this past January, although they claim the drop from last year was both planned and expected.

It will be interesting to see what the rest of 2008 brings for the luxury car market.

Whether you own one of these luxury vehicles, or wish you could, the key pendants from Imperial Craftwork should be on your wish list. Choose the auto logo you desire from ten options, select sterling silver, sterling with white gold plating, or pure platinum, and add some panache to your keys for $130 and up. The only unfortunate thing is your gift may be on hold for a bit -- the only style in stock was the Audi pendant. Guess there is always Valentine's Day or St. Paddy's! (Any occasion is good for a gift).