The New Jaguar XKR and XFR

Jaguar, the Most Dependable Car. Really.

The New York Times
MARCH 19, 2009, 7:01 AM

Jaguar, the Most Dependable Car. Really.
By CHERYL JENSEN

Bill Pugliano/Getty Images
Just when it seemed the automotive world was in such upheaval that nothing more
shocking could happen, Jaguar and Buick have tied for the top spot in the 2009 J.D.
Power Vehicle Dependability Study.

Jaguar, once reliable only for being the butt of cocktail party jokes about poor quality,
and Buick have toppled Lexus from first place, which the Japanese brand had held for the
last 13 years. (In 2007, Buick shared the top spot with Lexus.)

The 2006 Buick LaCrosse was the highest-ranked vehicle in the midsize car segment, according to the latest J.D. Power study on dependability. J.D. Power’s dependability rankings are determined by the number of problems per 100 vehicles that consumers experience: The lower the number, the better. This year’s study is based on responses from more than 46,000 original owners of three-year-old (2006 model year) vehicles.

While vehicle dependability has always been important to consumers, this year it’s even
more so as consumers hold onto their vehicles longer. The average age of a vehicle when
it’s traded in has increased to 73 months in 2009, up from 65 months in 2006, according
to J.D. Power.

Darren Staples/Reuters Jaguars parked outside a plant in Birmingham, England.
Buick and Jaguar were tied for first place with 122 problems per 100 vehicles; Lexus was
second with 126 problems. Toyota at 129 and Mercury, 134, rounded out the top five. The
bottom five were, in descending order, Mazda, Isuzu, Land Rover, Volkswagen and
Suzuki.

It isn’t that something significantly bad has happened to Lexus quality, said Neal Oddes,
director of product research and analysis for J.D. Power and Associates, the marketing
information services company.

“Their performance is exceptional,” Mr. Oddes said. “It’s just that other nameplates are
coming up and starting to challenge the quality leader, which is great for consumers.”
In addition to ranking the 37 brands, J.D. Power gives awards in 19 segments by naming
the top three models in each segment.

“Lexus performance at the nameplate ranking may have slipped slightly, but at the model
level they are still doing exceptionally well,” Mr. Oddes said.

Toyota vehicles ranking the highest in five segments, which was more than any other
brand, were the Highlander, Prius, Sequoia, Solara and Tundra. Lexus, Toyota’s luxury
brand, came next with four segment winners, which were the ES 330 (tied with the Acura
RL), GX 470, LS 430 and SC 430.

The highest ranked vehicles in other segments were the Scion xA, Mazda MX-5 Miata,
Buick LaCrosse, Mercury Grand Marquis, Nissan 350Z, Lincoln Zephyr, Honda Element,
Ford Ranger, Dodge Caravan and Lincoln Mark LT.

The study also found that Buick, Lincoln, Mercury and Jaguar owners were less likely to
have to replace large components than owners of other brands.

All of the top three vehicles in the segments and complete brand rankings are available at
JDPower.com.

Source: (The New York Times)

VIDEO: Ian Callum talks about the 2010 Jaguar XJ

The top-of-the-line leaping cat was blessed with an aluminum chassis that was well ahead of its time, but the Jaguar XJ's historically derivative design left luxury customers less than impressed – if indeed they recognized it as a new model. Chief Jaguar designer Ian Callum, who hit the ball right out of the park when he designed the award winning XF, now has an opportunity to make things right with the flagship XJ. We've already seen spy photos of the XJ's interior and exterior, and everything so far points to the Jag's flagship model taking plenty of cues from the smaller, less expensive XF; not that that's a bad thing.The 2010 Jaguar XJ is one of the most eagerly anticipated unveilings this year, but since it won't go public until July 9, you'll have to wait until we can gather some more information. We only caught two very brief, very muddled shots of the next generation of Jaguar's "Gorgeous" design philosophy, but it's still worth a look.

Jaguar top 225 at Bonneville Salt Flat

Jaguar have pushed the new XFR to its limits in a secret test at the Bonneville Salt Flats, and in doing so broke the record for the fastest ever Jaguar.

The modified XFR reached a staggering 225.675 mph on its run, powered by a tweaked version of the newly launched 5.0 litre engine in the supercharged Jaguar XF. The engine was almost standard, save a new air intake, revised supercharger settings and new exhaust system, boosting the power from 503 to 600 horsepower, but all the engine internals were untouched, as was the standard gearbox, boding well for tuners to come along and liberate even more power. Jaguar also modified the bodywork with a new front skirt and a huge rear wing to give downforce and stability at speed, as you can see below:

All this work was done in conjunction with American racing company Rocketsports, and the car was driven by Paul Gentilozzi, who raced the Jaguar XKR to 5 series wins in the US Trans Am series between 2001 and 2006. He was quoted as saying "During my career, I've raced worldwide from the southern tip of New Zealand to Le Mans, Along the way, I have been privileged to drive and own so many exciting cars but I've never driven one that was as exciting to drive fast as this Jaguar.

"The previous Jaguar speed record was set by Martin Brundle in 1992 in a Jaguar XJ220.

(source: http://www.jaguar-cars-blog.com/)

Next Jaguar sedan looks like stretch XK, with four-door "coupe" overtones

Is Jaguar planning a Panamera and Rapide challenger? Until now we've had speculation and spy pics, but Channel 4 is reporting that Jaguar officials have confirmed plans to "introduce a new saloon" later this year, that "takes the luxury saloon to new heights in terms of its technical enhancements." Although this new sedan will eventually replace the XJ in the company's lineup, it is said to be radically different from the traditional sedan. Imagine XF detailing on a four-door XK and you won't be far off from the vehicle that's due to show up later this year. No official details have been reported, but Jaguar officials are apparently mentioning the Porsche Panamera, Maserati Quattroporte, Aston Martin Rapide and Mercedes-Benz CLS as competition. Engine options will likely include Jaguar's new 3.0L V6 diesel as well as the new direct-injection, 5.0L gas V8s in naturally aspirated or supercharged form. The car should be revealed later this year, making 2009 a very busy year for the company. Jaguar is already set to unveil the supercharged XF-R, as well as updated XJ, XK and XKR models, along with its new V8 and V6 diesel engines at the Detroit Auto Show next week. We can hardly wait.[Source: Channel 4]

Meet the Keeler Employees

Meet the Keeler Employees

Frank Paturzo
Sales Manager, Jaguar/Land Rover


What is your position at Keeler Motor Car Company?
Sales Manager for Keeler Jaguar and Land Rover

How long have you worked at Keeler Motor Car Company?
I started at Keeler Motor Car in October 1995.

What part of the Capital District do you live in?
I live in Latham, NY about 5 minutes from the Albany Airport.

How long have you worked in the automotive industry?
I've been in the automotive business for 27 years starting in 1981.

What are some of your hobbies?
I am an avid golfer and of course, automobiles!

What’s your favorite restaurant?
I have a few. Deacon Blue's in Watervliet, Man of Kent in Hoosick Falls, Salty's in Clifton Park and Chianti's in Saratoga Springs

Do you have any pets?
Yes, well kind of...we have a surrogate cat named Sparky that visits us 2-3 times a day most days. He has his own cat house built by a former Keeler Motor Car employee. Sparky has visited us since the summer of 2001. he will not come in our house or let us get too close but he likes the cuisine.

What the one invention you couldn’t live without?
Electricity

What’s the one thing that people would be surprised to know about you?
I met my wife at the March 1984 Auto Show at the Empire State Plaza.

What’s the best thing about working for Keeler Motor Car Company?
The people; both the employees who work here and the clients!