Monthly Archives: January 2011

A Jaguar Icon Turns 50

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Jaguar is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the E-Type, the brand’s iconic sports car with events all year. Rumors are about of an introduction of a new E-Type because fans would love to see it. If there is to be one, it’s likely to show up at the Geneva Motor Show and the New York Auto Show and the Goodwood Festival of Speed where Jag says it’s going to celebrate.

Nothing says Jaguar like the E-Type. It debuted in Geneva in 1961. The car defined the sleek, low-slung, muscular appearance that still defines Jag.

“Half a century of progress has not diminished the significance of the E-Type,” said Mike O’Driscoll, Managing Director Jaguar Cars and Chairman Jaguar Heritage. “It was a sensation when it was launched, and remains Jaguar’s most enduring and iconic symbol.”

E-Type owners have included Steve McQueen, Brigitte Bardot, and Tony Curtis. The E-Type was also known as the XK-E in the United States. That’s a 1970 model in the photo, above. A total of 72,520 E-Types were produced. Of those, 83% were exported from England. Other fun facts:

The E-type’s straight-six engine had powered Jaguar to five Le Mans victories in the 1950s and by 1961 in 3.8-litre form produced 265 horsepower, giving the car a top speed in excess of 150 miles per hour.

  • At launch the E-Type cost $5,595 for the Roadster or “OTS” (Open two-seater) and $5,895 for the Coupe or “FHC” (Fixed head coupe) this included standard wire wheels. Adjusted for inflation in 2011 dollars, the E-type would cost about $41,000 for the roadster and $43,000 for the coupe.
  • The E-Type’s perfectly proportioned bodywork was the work of Malcolm Sayer, an aeronautical engineer by training who also applied his aerodynamic expertise in shaping the earlier Le Mans-winning C and D-Type racers.
  • The E-type remained in production for 14 years, selling more than 70,000 units, making it Europe’s first mass-produced sports car.

“It is impossible to overstate the impact the E-Type had when it was unveiled in 1961,” said Ian Callum, Jaguar design director. “Here was a car that encapsulated the spirit of the revolutionary era it came to symbolize.”

What Jaguar model made you a lifetime fan? Was it the E-Type? Tell us the first time you laid eyes on a Jaguar and how it changed your view of an automobile. We all have a story.

Jaguar of Orlando

Cars for the Cure is Right Around the Corner – Join us!

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Orlando Infiniti and Jaguar of Orlando are proud sponsors of this exclusive car show, the 7th Annual “Cars for the Cure” Auto Show extravaganza. It will be held the weekend of February 4th-6th 2011 at beautiful Colonial TownPark in Lake Mary Florida.

This charitable event supports the American Lung Association of Florida and promises to be like none other.
As most of you know, Peter Wilson, Owner of Infiniti, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Lotus, and Smart Car of Orlando, was recently nominated as volunteer of the Week for by staff and volunteers from the American Lung Association of the Southeast in the greater Orlando area.

As the presenting sponsor of the 2011 Cars for the Cure, Wilson welcomed the American Lung Association into his showroom to host the annual Cars for the Cure preview party on October 1. Mr. Wilson not only invited staff and volunteers, but was enthused and involved in the planning of the preview party. His efforts helped triple the attendance and raise more money than at any previous local Lung Association kick-off event. Wilson rallied his personal friends to attend the party and gave great ideas to make the party a huge hit. Wilson topped the night off by performing a live auction to raise additional funds for the organization. His efforts helped raise an additional $5,000 for Cars for the Cure 2011.

So we are onto the show…it’s a three-day event for the community, participants, exhibitors and sponsors to celebrate the amazing cars in Central Florida. Saturday, February is the free exhibit to come view these beauties at stunning Colonial TownPark in Lake Mary Florida.

Here’s a full itinerary of activities.

VIP Reception – Friday, February 4th, 2011
Get the VIP treatment when you attend our exclusive pre-show party for sponsors and car registrants only. The party will take place at Orlando’s premiere Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Participants anticipate the biggest, baddest car show of the year, here in Central Florida.

AUTO SHOWING – Saturday February 5th, 10am – 4pm
This all-day show is the auto enthusiasts dream! Some of the most powerful and highly-tuned cars from around the world will be on display: International and American Customs, European Exotics, High Power Racers, custom bikes and more. The streets are lined with great shops, restaurants and attractions as well as a variety of sponsor and vendor booths. Bring the family and enjoy a fun filled day.

SUNDAY DRIVE – Sunday February 6th, 8am
This is a great tradition and is opened to registered participants only. We will depart at 9am from Colonial TownPark and take a cruise on some of the most scenic highways in Central Florida escorted by law enforcement. This is one more chance to show off your car and enjoy a Sunday Drive with other car enthusiasts.

To learn more, please visit Cars for Cure and you can make a donation to Central Florida Lung Association online or at the event.
Orlando Infiniti and Jaguar of Orlando could not be prouder to be part of this exciting annual event. Stop by our lot and we can share more about this event. We’ll see you February 5th!

XF – Best Executive Car Award

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The Jaguar XF was crowned Best Executive Car for the fourth year running at the What Car? Awards, held in London.

“We’re delighted the XF has won this prestigious What Car? Award for the fourth year in succession,” said Geoff Cousins, Managing Director of Jaguar Cars UK. “In terms of sales, 2010 was the best ever year ever for the XF. Sales of the model were up 25 per cent in 2010 versus 2009, and that’s the third consecutive year of growth. The XF has been a resounding success since it was launched in 2008, and it’s great to have that recognised by the media.We have sold more than 100,000 examples of the XF worldwide and it continues to attract new customers to the brand.”

What Car’s Editor in Chief Steve Fowler commented: “This is the fourth year running the XF has won our best executive car award, and this year it has had to work harder than ever to beat its rivals.”

“We love everything about the XF: it looks fantastic, drives brilliantly and makes real financial sense, too.”

This fourth What Car? ‘Best Executive Car’ accolade takes the Jaguar XF’s tally of international awards to more than 80 since its launch. It is probably the most crowned luxury car around the world.

Elsewhere in the Jaguar range, the introduction of the all-new Jaguar XJ in 2010 has only built on the success of the Jaguar XF. It is a landmark, flagship executive car from the revitalised Jaguar brand. Already the Jaguar XJ has received more than 20 international honours including ‘Luxury Car of the Year’ from Top Gear (UK), ‘Best Luxury Car’ from China’s Auto News, ‘Annual Limousine King’ from Quattroroute (Italy), Automobile Magazine’s ’2011 Design of the Year’ and ‘Best Executive Sedan’ at the Bloomberg Awards (US).

Stop by Jaguar of Orlando and test drive the XJ to experience it for yourself.

The All-Star XJ

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• All-Star Award adds to growing list of honors for the brand

Jaguar or Orlando is proud to announce that the all-new 2011 XJ is an AUTOMOBILE Magazine 2011 All-Star for its part in redefining and modernizing the brand. This marks the third consecutive year a Jaguar has received the honor. The Jaguar XF was an AUTOMOBILE Magazine All-Star for 2009 and 2010.

“We are thrilled that the 2011 Jaguar XJ has been named an All-Star by the experts at AUTOMOBILE Magazine,” said Richard Beattie, Jaguar North America Executive Vice President, Marketing and Sales. “The XJ is a real milestone for Jaguar, and when joined with the XF sedan and XK coupe and convertibles, it completes the transformation of the brand into a modern lineup of beautiful, fast cars.

“The toughest part about this class is that it’s very hard for any one car to stand out in the crowd, and yet the XJ manages to do just that, in both its design and its dynamics. Both for the aesthete and the enthusiast, the all-new Jaguar XJ is an All-Star,” – AUTOMOBILE Magazine

For 2011, there were 271 automobiles for sale in the United States that were eligible for the award. The prestigious All-Star awards recognize 10 vehicles chosen by the editorial staff of AUTOMOBILE Magazine.

The all-new 2011 Jaguar XJ was launched to critical acclaim in spring 2010, and features a new frame that is pressure cast from aluminum and magnesium to give the XJ a strong, light architecture that improves fuel efficiency, structural rigidity and performance. The sleek design and refined luxury is continued inside the all-new XJ by mixing newly advanced technologies and contemporary design to create an environment more akin to a state-of-the-art living space than a car cabin.

Priced from $72,700.00, the Jaguar XJ is on-sale Jaguar of Orlando. For anyone buying or leasing a new 2011 Jaguar between now and February 28, they’ll receive membership to  Jaguar Platinum Access , an exclusive Jaguar program that provides access to some of the world’s best-known luxury brands such as Canyon Ranch, Mandarin Oriental, Neiman Marcus, and many more.

To add, the brand’s new best-in-class Jaguar Platinum Coverage  also offers complimentary scheduled maintenance, no-cost replacement of wear and tear items, 24/7 roadside assistance and a 5 year/50,000 mile new vehicle limited warranty.

Stop by and test this All Star at Jaguar of Orlando.