jaguar

Growler E Celebrates Classic Jaguar with Limited Edition Supercar

The current Jaguar XK takes many design cues from the original E-Type, but with that iconic model now celebrating its 50th anniversary, some enthusiasts are looking for a more faithful modernization of the classic form. Swedish designer Bo Zolland is among them, and he penned the throwback you see here.

Far from just a sketch, though, the Growler E is slated to enter limited production. If enough orders come in, the Visualtech plans on building the Growler E with the supercharged 5-liter V8 from the Jaguar XKR. Pricing will depend on how many orders are placed, but estimates place it between $700,000 and $1.4 million.

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Tags: bo zolland, e-type, growler, growler e, growler e-type, jaguar, jaguar e-type, jaguar xke, visualtech, xke

2011 Geneva Motor Show: The Supercars

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Geographically located in between the supercar capitals of Europe, Switzerland is where the world's automakers come to showcase the latest array of mouth-watering, bank-balance-tempting exotic sports cars. And this year's Geneva Motor Show didn't disappoint in the least.

In between all those luxury sedans, upscale sport-utes and premium hatchbacks were a blinding assortment of six-figure supercars seemingly capable of bending the very laws of physics. Standing out from the crowd were brand-new offerings from Ferrari, Lamborghini and Pagani, new takes on old favorites from Maserati, Aston Martin and Jaguar, concept cars from Alfa Romeo, BMW and Wiesmann and more.

We went to Geneva to check them out with our own eyes (and lens) – follow the jump to see what we found, and click the images to view the full galleries from our sister-site Autoblog.

Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, alfa, alfa 4c, alfa romeo, alfa romeo 4c, alfa romeo 4c concept, aston, aston martin, aston martin virage, bmw, bmw vision connecteddrive, carrozzeria touring superleggera, ferrari, ferrari ff, ferrari four, ff, geneva, geneva 2011, geneva motor show, gumpert tornante, huayra, jaguar, jaguar xkr-s, koenigsegg, koenigsegg agera, koenigsegg agera r, lamborghini, lamborghini aventador, Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, lexus, lexus lfa, lexus LFA Nürburgring Package, maserati, maserati grancabrio, maserati grancabrio sport, pagani, pagani huayra, touring, wiesmann, wiesmann spyder

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2011 Geneva Motor Show: The Luxury Sedans & SUVs

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Every year the Geneva Motor Show features a staggering array of new luxury sedans, estate wagons, crossovers and sport-utility vehicles on display. And this year's show, still ongoing at the Geneva Palexpo, has proven no exception.

Among the production and concept debuts in these diverse categories were new vehicles from Audi, BMW Alpina, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Saab and Volvo, as well as the return of De Tomaso. Follow the jump to see what these European automakers had in store for us this year.

Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, alpina, alpina b5 biturbo, alpina b5 biturbo touring, audi, audi a3, audi a3 sedan, audi a3 sedan concept, bertone, bertone b99, bmw, bmw alpina, bmw alpina b5 biturbo touring, detomaso+geneva+concept, detomasogenevaconcept, geneva, geneva 2011, geneva motor show, geneva+auto+show+2011, geneva+motor+show+2011, genevaautoshow2011, genevamotorshow2011, jaguar, jaguar b99, land rover range rover autobiography ultimate edition, land rover range_e, mercedes, mercedes-benz, mercedes-benz c-class coupe, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Estate, porsche, porsche panamera, porsche panamera s hybrid, range rover autobiography ultimate edition, range+rover+ultimate+edition, rangeroverultimateedition, range_e, rolls-royce, Rolls-Royce 102EX, Rolls-Royce 102EX Phantom Experimental Electric, rolls-royce phantom, saab, saab 9-5, Saab 9-5 SportCombi, volvo, volvo v60, volvo v60 plug-in hybrid

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EXCLUSIVE: Ralph Lauren to Exhibit Car Collection Classics for the First Time

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events, The Classicist, Architecture & Design

Ralph Lauren to Exhibit Car Collection Classics for the First Time

Images exclusive to Luxist, courtesy of Ralph Lauren; click for high-res gallery

Some of the most precious gems in famed fashion designer Ralph Lauren's incredible car collection will be exhibited for the the first time ever in Paris this spring. Lauren's collection, in our opinion the finest one in private hands on the planet, features impeccable examples of the rarest and most valuable vehicles in the world. We can reveal exclusively that four of his exquisite automotive works of art, which have never before been seen in public, will be on view at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris from April 28 – August 28: a 1964 Ferrari 250 LM; a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Scaglietti; a 1956/1958 Jaguar XKSS; and a 1931 Alfa Romeo Monza 8C 2300.

13 other Lauren cars will also be on display during the exhibit, entitled The Art of the Automobile: Masterpieces from the Ralph Lauren Collection, including an amazing 1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa (above), a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, and a 1938 Bugatti 57 SC Atlantic Coupé. The last two alone are worth about $30 – $40 million each, and are among the world's most expensive cars. The Paris exhibit will focus on European models created between the 1930s and the 1990s, "illustrating the evolution of car design in the 20th Century." They were selected by curator Rodolphe Rapetti and will be arranged by scenographer Jean-Michel Wilmotte, with the "kinetics" and sound of the vehicles conveyed by means of various films and recordings. The museum will also be producing a luxe book to celebrate the occasion.

Gallery: Ralph Lauren's Cars Headed to Paris

Tags: Alfa Romeo, Bentley, billionaire, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Bugatti, car collection, car design, celebrity cars, classic cars, designer, exclusive, exhibit, exhibition, fashion design, fashion designer, Ferrari, Ferrari 250 GTO, ferrari+250+gt, ferrari250gt, France, Jaguar, McLaren, mens style, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, museum, museum show, Paris, Porsche, Ralph Lauren, ralph+lauren+car+collection, ralph+lauren+cars, ralph+laurens+car+collection, ralphlaurencarcollection, ralphlaurencars, ralphlaurenscarcollection, supercars, The Classicist, worlds most expensive, worlds most expensive car, worlds most expensive cars

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Jaguar to Launch Fastest Production Model Ever in Geneva

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events

Jaguar to Launch Fastest Production Model Ever in Geneva

On March 1, Jaguar will launch the new Jaguar XKR-S in conjunction with the legendary E-Type's 50th anniversary at the Geneva Motor Show. With a higher output supercharged V8 engine, revised suspension, and a new aerodynamically-driven design, the Jaguar XKR-S is designed to be a true luxury GT with eye-popping performance – the fastest production Jag ever built. "The XKR-S is a bold and exciting new model for Jaguar," says Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar's new Global Brand Director. "We expect to attract both loyal and new Jaguar driving enthusiasts who still want the comfort, opulence and class only a Jaguar can offer, combined with inspirational performance."

The Jaguar XKR-S produces 550 hp with 502 lb/ft of torque, offers a top speed of 186 mph (300km/h), and can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds. In addition to the debut, Jaguar will be marking the 50th anniversary of the E-Type with the first in a series of celebrations. The famed British marque will host an E-Type fête at the Restaurant Hotel du Parc des Eaux-Vives in Geneva, where the original car was introduced by Jaguar's founder Sir William Lyons half a century ago. "It is impossible to overstate the impact the E-Type had," notes Ian Callum, Jaguar Design Director.

Tags: car design, Geneva, Geneva Motor Show, Geneva Motor Show 2011, Jaguar, Jaguar E-Type, luxury cars

Jason Statham Arrives at 'Mechanic' Premiere in Iconic Jaguar E-type

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events

Jason Stratham Arrives at 'Mechanic' Premiere in Iconic Jaguar E-type

British action star Jason Statham, leading man of new thriller The Mechanic, arrived at the movie's Las Vegas premiere (above) the other night in an iconic Jaguar E-Type. One of the world's sexiest sports cars, the E-Type just celebrated its 50th anniversary (see Autoblog's coverage here). Stratham, who's dating the delectable Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, plays an elite assassin in the film. For the premiere at the Las Vegas Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, Stratham took a spin down the Strip before pulling up under the marquee. The Series II E-Type Coupe he borrowed for the event, owned by Jaguar Clubs of North America member Bill Streitenberger, was there to represent the Series I E-Type that appears in the movie – which meets with a rather unfortunate end on the big screen.

Tags: casino, celebrity, classic cars, entertainment, Jaguar, Jaguar E-Type, Jason Stratham, Las Vegas, movie star, movies, Planet Hollywood, premiere, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, The Mechanic

Land Rover & Range Rover Make the Scene at NY Fashion Week

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Luxury Cars & Autos, Events, Celebrity Shopping

Land Rover & Range Rover Make the Scene at NY Fashion Week

Land Rover and Range Rover added an extra dose of style to two of Fashion Week's hottest shows with a fleet of vehicles for VIPs. The new Land Rover LR4 was the starring attraction at the Rag & Bone show in Soho, sponsored by the famed UK SUV marque, where beauties like model Jessica Stam (above) and Mad Men's Jon Hamm made the scene. And at the presentation by Marchesa, designed by Georgina Chapman, Range Rovers and Range Rover Sports provided luxe transportation for the likes of actresses Vanessa Hudgens and Michele Trachtenberg, musician Eve, socialite and TV personality Olivia Palermo, and model Irina Lazareanu. At both venues the vehicles sported the designer's logos, and when lined up impressively outside got nearly as much attention as the scenesters themselves.

"Land Rover is expanding its marketing profile with, for the first time, supporting a fashion house, Rag & Bone, during New York Fashion Week," noted Stuart Schorr, vice president of communications and public affairs, Jaguar Land Rover North America. "The Rag & Bone brand, led by Marcus Wainwright and David Neville, is admired for its refined and versatile aesthetic. Both Land Rover and Rag & Bone were born in England and enjoy massive global appeal. The Land Rover LR4 has evolved a distinct design heritage that is rooted in both authentic luxury and rugged capability. Similarly, through Rag & Bone, Marcus and David have established a legacy through high levels of skill and craftsmanship." Might we dare to hope for a Ltd. Rag & Bone Edition LR4 edition in the near future....?

Gallery: Land Rover & Range Rover at Fashion Week

Tags: celebrity, celebrity cars, fashion shows, Fashion Week, Jaguar, Jessica Stam, Land Rover, Land Rover LR4, Mad Men, Marchesa, models, New York Fashion Week, Olivia Palermo, Rag Bone, Rag and Bone, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, SUV, Vanessa Hudgens

The Classicist: Is the Royal Warrant Losing Its Lustre?

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: The Classicist, Wealth

A recent decision by two venerable British brands to drop the Royal Warrants from their packaging has occasioned some hand-wringing in the UK over whether the much-coveted distinction has lost its lustre. The Classicist calls it a tempest in a Royal Doulton teacup; read on to find out why. Only three royals are entitled to grant warrants – the Queen of England, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales – to firms who supply their royal requisites for at least five years, though most warrant holders have ties to Britain's royal family dating back several decades or more. Of course, Prince William will one day be granting his own.

Holders of the Royal Warrant include many of our favorite luxury brands – Asprey, Aston Martin, Bentley, Barbour, Burberry, Fortnum & Mason, Gieves & Hawkes, Holland & Holland, Hunter Boots, Jaguar, John Lobb, Johnnie Walker, Land Rover, Laphroaig, Lock & Co., Swaine Adeney Brigg, Smythson, Tanqueray and Turnbull & Asser – along with a host of lesser names, such as After Eight mints and Jacob's Cream Crackers. It is the latter two that have now decided to do without their warrants – though no insult is intended to the royal family, as it was when former Harrods owner Mohamed al Fayed burned his last year. That coupled with the results of a new survey showing that only 13% of respondents thought that warrants make any difference have called their usefulness into question, the London Guardian reports.

However, "It's hard to say that interest in royal warrants is conclusively on the wane," Vicky Bullen, chief executive of Coley Porter Bell, tells the paper, "because there is no existing data with which to make a comparison. However, consumers' apparent indifference to the royal warrants has surprised us. We can only surmise there could be a number of factors at play." Said factors, Bullen says, include "that we live in a less deferential society in which the royal family enjoys less prestige and political support." That of course is not exactly new, though the upcoming Royal Wedding may give them a boost. [cont'd]

Gallery: Holders of the Royal Warrant

Tags: Asprey, Aston Martin, Barbour, Bentley, British royalty, Burberry, Fortnum and Mason, Harrods, Holland Holland, Hunter Boots, Jaguar, John Lobb, Johnnie Walker, Land Rover, luxury brands, Mohamed al Fayed, Prince of Wales, Prince William, Queen of England, royal family, Royal Warrant, Royal Wedding, royalty, Smythson, Swaine Adeney Brigg, Tanqueray, UK

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Five Luxe Car Brands Cited By J.D. Power as Service "Champions."

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Five luxury automobile brands were in the top 40 brands ranked by J.D. Power and Associates in its annual Customer Service Champions report.

Jaguar, Lexus, Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, Lincoln all made the list. They were joined by two other luxury brands: hoteliers Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton.

Non luxe brands included in the top 40 were Zappos.com, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and retailer Cabelas.

Brands that receive the J.D. Power Customer Service Champions designation are among the top 5 percent of more than 800 evaluated brands, based on their performance in five key areas identified as the J.D. Power 5 Ps: People, Presentation, Price, Product and Process.

Tags: cadillac, four seasons, j.d. power, jaguar, lincoln, mercedes-benz, ritz-carlton, zappos

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Jaguar C-X75 Wins Louis Vuitton Classic Concept Award

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Architecture & Design

Jaguar C-X75 Wins Louis Vuitton Classic Concept Award

Jaguar's amazing C-X75 hybrid concept car, which my colleague David Kiley first wrote about last September, has just won the Louis Vuitton Classic Concept Award 2010 by a panel of luminaries from the worlds of design, fashion and luxury in Paris. "Ian Callum, Jaguar's Design Director, and his team have achieved not only a beautiful design in clothing a world-premiere and mouth-watering technology, but also a true Jaguar, projecting the brand's DNA into the future without an ounce of nostalgia," said Christian Philippsen, inaugurator of the prize. The gas-electric hybrid two-seater is capable of a top speed of 205 miles per hour, and up to 68 miles of all-electric operation. It's powered by four 195-horsepower electric motors, one in each wheel, giving the vehicle an all-wheel drive system with torque-vectoring controls to distribute power as needed.

Gallery: Jaguar C-X75 Hybrid

Tags: concept car, hybrid, Jaguar, Louis Vuitton, luxury cars, Paris

A Look Inside Ralph Lauren's Billion-Dollar Garage

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Wealth

We've written before about the automotive treasures in Ralph Lauren's car collection; now Vanity Fair has gotten an inside look at the lavish garage / gallery the designer recently built near his posh Westchester, NY estate to house them. Lauren transformed a former car dealership's storage facility into a shrine to the best in automotive design, with rooms dedicated to famous marques; the Ferrari room is pictured above, with a rare 1958 Testa Rossa taking center stage. The 60-plus ultra-valuable vehicles are all kept registered and ready to drive anytime the designer feels like going for a spin.

The eye-popping collection includes a 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic worth an estimated $40 million alone – the world's most expensive car – a 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Grand Prix, a 1938 Alfa Romeo Mille Miglia roadster, the world's only 1930 Mercedes-Benz SSK "Count Trossi" roadster, a 1957 Jaguar XKSS, a McLaren F1, a 1929 "Blower" Bentley, a Ferrari 250 GT, and the only Lamborghini Reventon Roadster in the U.S. All have been maintained carefully since new, or restored to perfection – and "sometimes beyond perfection," the magazine notes, as some have been painted in colors that the billionaire decided were better than the originals.

Tags: Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, car collection, classic cars, designer, Ferrari, Ferrari 250 GT, Jaguar, Lamborghini, McLaren F1, Mercedes-Benz, Ralph Lauren, Vanity Fair, wealth, Westchester, worlds most expensive

England's Finest at Gooding & Company's Amelia Island Auction

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

Last year at the Amelia Island auction, Gooding & Company auctioned off over $16 million in classic automobiles at the annual event, including a $2.75 million 1931 Voisin and a $1.7 million '61 Porsche RS61 Spyder formerly owned by Sir Stirling Moss. Next year's event is still months away, but early consignments are already coming in, shaping the event up to look like a veritable celebration of Britain's finest.

First up is a rare alloy-bodied 1949 Jaguar XK120, the first to come to the United States and the only one made in Blue Sheen paint, projected around the $375,000-$550,000. The 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Sedanca Drop Head Coupe pictured aboce, one of only four made with Gurney Nutting coachwork, is estimated to bring $400,000-$500,000. Finally comes a '62 Lotus 23B with considerable racing pedigree projected at around $200,000. With more consignments coming in, the auction is set to take place on Friday, March 11, 2011 at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation.

Gallery: Best of Britain at Gooding & Co. – Amelia Island 2011

Tags: 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Sedanca Drop Head Coupe, 1949 Jaguar XK120 Alloy, 1962 Lotus 23B, Amelia Island, auction, Gooding, Gooding and Company, Gooding Company, Jaguar, Jaguar XK120, Jaguar XK120 Alloy, Lotus, Lotus 23B, Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Phantom II, Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Sedanca Drop Head Coupe

2010's Top Ten Cars Sold at Auction

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

The industrialist hordes lifting placards to bid this year's vintage machinery were not victim to the paroxysms of 2009, when a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa went for $12.2 million and a 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe was swept away for $7.25 mil. None of the top ten trophies in this year's vintage bazaar provoked such financial spikes, yet the decline from first place to tenth was much more gradual: the sum of 2009's offerings was $51.22 million, while 2010 racked up $50.54 million.

That isn't to say the year lacked any monumental spasms: a 1957 Bugatti Type 57C Atlantic "changed hands," to use the clinical parlance of tycoons, for somewhere between $30 and $40 million. That, however, was a private treaty sale handled by Gooding & Company, not an auction result.

Ferrari made another top showing among the perp-walk of pageant winners, with prices spanning $7.26 million for a Ferrari to €2.8 million for a... Ferrari. But Jaguar, Aston Martin, Mercedes and Talbot Lago were also on the list of what ended up being a very beautiful party...

Gallery: Top 10 Cars at Auction - 2010

Tags: 2010 top car auctions, alfa romeo, aston martin, car, ferrari, jaguar, mercedes-benz, talbot-lago, top ten, top ten cars

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Chrome Grille Decanters by Nicholas Brawer

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Spirits, Luxury Cars & Autos

Chrome Grille Decanters by Nicholas Brawer

There's one in every family: someone who loves cars and alcohol...often in equal measure. And while we wouldn't condone driving under the influence, we do have what could very well be the ultimate gift for that special someone.

This set of chrome and glass decanters are crafted in England by Nicholas Brawer. Each of the five replicates the radiator grille from a classic Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Bugatti, Mercedes-Benz or Jaguar motor car. Price is available from the retailer upon request.

Gallery: Grille Decanters by Nicholas Brawer

[Source: Nicholas Brawer via Luxury Launches]

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Tags: bentley, bugatti, decanter, flask, jaguar, mercedes, mercedes-benz, nicholas brawer, rolls-royce

Duncan Quinn's Stylish Den of Iniquity at Art Basel

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Luxury Cars & Autos, Events, Art, Men's Style, Luxury Shopping

Dashing designer Duncan Quinn, known for his roguish take on Savile Row style, is giving Miami's Art Basel a glamour injection courtesy of an ultra-cool pop-up boutique (above) opening today. Following the success of his lavish space at last year's festival complete with an indoor croquet pitch, this year's digs in the Design District's Moore Building are a veritable dandy's den of stylish iniquity, complete with a full-fledged casino, vintage sports cars, cocktails, a screening room showing classic Michael Caine films, and of course plenty of razor sharp threads.

Designed with a Casino Royale theme that would make James Bond himself hot under the collar, guests can take advantage of a bespoke lounge with Dormeuil fabrics, an installation of Ruby couture motorcycle helmets from France, cocktails from the mixologists at the Florida Room, and several limited edition items including the new line of Duncan Quinn sunglasses, polo shirts, jackets and more. Classic cars and motorbikes on display in the space include a 1954 Jaguar XK120, vintage Ducatis and Triumphs and Dime City Cycles' "Brass Café" Racer.

Gallery: Duncan Quinn Miami 2010