Motorzine

MOTORZINE All things motoring in and around Coventry

Jaguar reveal their fastest production F-Type ever Plus:

Aston Martin show off the new DB11

And Jag are going racing

Aston announce the latest DB

The Gaydon based firm has officially revealed the latest in the DB bloodline after unveiling the DB11 at the 86th International Geneva Motor Show.

This will be the first car launched under Aston’s new ‘Second Century’ plan, and is set to figurehead the illustrious Aston Martin range.

The major talking point of the new Aston is likely to be the stunning design. Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Andy Palmer said: “We aspire to make the most beautiful cars in the world” and it’s hard to argue against the DB11 fitting into that aspiration.

Fresh new design features have made their way onto the DB11, taking cues from the most recent Bond car; the DB10. The profile is dramatic, thanks to the roof strakes that flow uninterrupted from A-pillar to C-pillar, while the long clamshell bonnet and large Aston Martin grille give the DB11 a more menacing look than previous iterations.

It’s not all form over function though, innovative aerodynamics play their part in this aesthetic revolution with clever management of airflow both over and through the bodywork aiding stability while preserving the DB11’s uncluttered surfaces. Front-end lift is reduced by the gill-like Curlicue, which releases high-pressure air from inside the wheel arch via a concealed vent within the redesigned side-strake.

Meanwhile, rear-end lift is reduced by the Aston Martin AeroBlade; a virtual spoiler fed by discreet air intakes located at the base of each C-pillar. Air is ducted through the bodywork, before venting as a jet of air from the aperture in the rear decklid.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a true DB without an impressive engine to go with the styling, and Aston hasn’t failed to deliver. Under the bonnet is a 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 producing 600bhp and 700nm of torque, making this the most powerful production DB ever.

Aston claims the V12’s grunt helps propel the DB11 from 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds, and on to a top speed of 200mph.

To exploit the advantages of its new body structure and harness the immense performance of the new twin-turbo V12 engine, the DB11’s chassis, suspension, steering and electronics have been re-imagined.

Drivers can select from GT, Sport and Sport Plus modes, which changes the dynamics of the car to suit the drivers needs, intensifying the engine response, changing the 8-speed automatic ZF transmission together with the new electric power steering, and Torque Vectoring by braking while increasing the firmness of the adaptive damping for a greater sense of agility.

Inside Aston have stayed true to quality and craftsmanship. The DB11 boasts a stunning leather clad interior, while also retaining plenty of modern technology.

The DB11 uses a full-colour 12” TFT LCD display for the instrument binnacle, while a second, centrally mounted 8” TFT screen is dedicated to infotainment. Thankfully Aston has also fitted a more up-to-date satellite navigation system that plagued Aston’s of old, while a newly implemented auto-park assist feature and 360-degree birds-eye view camera helps provide safe manoeuvring at slow speeds.

Space inside has also been improved. Wider door apertures has helped significantly increase occupant space - especially head and legroom in the rear – while fully integrated rear ISOFIX mounting points for a pair of child seats, plus a luggage compartment large enough to accommodate two large holdalls, plus carryon baggage, mean the DB11 can be used as a proper grand-tourer.

The Aston Martin DB11 is expected to be priced from £154,900 in the UK, with first deliveries of the DB11 to begin during the fourth quarter of 2016.

Jaguar reveal the F-Type SVR

A faster version of the Jaguar F-Type is now available to order for customers who find the standard F-Type R’s 550 horsepower too tame.

The F-Type SVR is the first Jaguar in the SVR brand, which Jaguar has developed to fight against the likes of Mercedes’ AMG range, BMW’s M Division and Audi’s RS range.

Jaguar has designed the SVR to fully exploit the all aluminium F-Type’s full potential, while still retaining day-to-day usability. Jaguar claims that the F-Type SVR is 200mph, all-weather supercar.

Horsepower from the 5.0 litre supercharged V8 engine has been increased slightly from 550bhp to 570bhp, thanks to changes in the engine calibration that’s been adopted from the F-Type Project 7, whilst torque has also increased from 680nm to 700nm.

All-wheel drive keeps the extra grunt in check, and Jaguar have managed to save 25kg in weight – 50kg if you specify the lightweight carbon fibre options - which help to propel the SVR from 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds, and onto a top speed of 200mph for the coupe variant.

The convertible meanwhile is still no slouch, managing to hit 195mph at full chat.

New enlarged front air intakes in the front bumper, coupled with revised charge air coolers and redesigned bonnet vents have improved engine cooling, while a new titanium exhaust system endures higher temperatures, and delivers an even more distinctive, purposeful and harder-edged exhaust note than the standard F-Type, especially once the active valves in the rear silencers open at lower engine speeds.

To make the most of the increased engine output, the eight-speed Quickshift automatic transmission has gained

a new calibration, while the tires have been made wider than the F-Type R by 10mm, delivering extra grip.

Changes to the Intelligent Driveline Dynamics system ensure that torque is always sent to the wheels with the most grip. Jaguar’s stability control system further enhances traction, while still retaining rear-wheel drive character and response.

Changes have been made to the chassis too, making the SVR more agile without compromising ride quality. The F-TYPE comes with aluminium double wishbone front and rear suspension and state-of-the-art electric power-assisted steering.

A weight loss of 25kg to the standard AWD F-Type R – and 50kg lighter with options including the Carbon Ceramic Matrix brake system and carbon fibre roof – also bring immediate benefits in terms of handling. Optimised aerodynamics produce further gains: the rear wing delivers reductions in lift whether in the raised or lowered position.

Further improvements have been made to the chassis, with Jaguar tending to every detail. The rear anti-roll bar is thicker. The valves inside the continuously-variable dampers have been revised and the control software – the heart of Jaguar’s Adaptive Dynamics system – has been recalibrated. The rear knuckle is completely new, and the front anti-roll bar diameter has been reduced slightly.

Stopping comes in the way of 380mm and 376mm front and rear brake discs as standard, but customers can specify Jaguar’s Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) braking system, which feature even larger 398mm and 380mm discs and six- and four-piston ‘monobloc’ callipers.

Jag has gone to town on aerodynamics too. To cut drag, the front bumper was extended outboard to mask as much of the wheels as possible. The front valance and front under-tray also contribute to drag reduction, while apertures in the wheel arch liners help the highpressure air to escape through the fender vents, helping to reduce front-end lift.

Inside the cabin gains cosseting 14-way SVR Performance seats finished in Jet-black leather with a distinctive Lozenge Quilt pattern, contrast stitching and micro-piping and headrests embossed with the SVR logo. Customers also have the option of Siena Tan or Red leather upholstery.

The SVR also benefits from the same interior luxuries as the standard F-Type range, with InControl Touch and InControl Touch Plus infotainment systems being available.

This latest F-Type is priced at from £110,000 for the Coupé and £115,485 for the Convertible, with deliveries set to take place in the summer of 2016.

Jag are returning to racing

Jaguar Land Rover is set to solidify their future to electric powertrains as Jaguar enter the third season of the FIA Formula E Championship as a manufacturer.

FIA Formula E is the world’s first single-seater championship for electric powered cars, and provides an opportunity for Jaguar Land Rover to further the development of their future EV powertrains, including motor and battery technology.

Group Engineering Director for Jaguar Land Rover “Electric vehicles will absolutely play a role in Jaguar Land Rover’s future product portfolio and Formula E will give us a unique opportunity to further our development of electrification technologies. The Championship will enable us to engineer and test our advanced technologies under extreme performance conditions.

“It is my belief that over the next five years we will see more changes in the automotive world than in the last three decades. The future is about being more connected and more sustainable; electrification and lightweight technologies are becoming more important than ever as urbanisation continues to increase. Formula E has recognised and reacted to these trends and the championship’s exciting and pioneering approach is the perfect fit for our brand.”

Jaguar Land Rover is the UK’s leading investor in research and development, and employs over 8,000 engineers who will be able to apply their knowledge within the racing team and use the experience to extract data and push the boundaries of electric technology.

Williams Advanced Engineering, who assisted Jaguar Land Rover on the development of the Jaguar C-X75 plug-in hybrid concept car, will partner Jaguar’s Formula E team, providing extensive motorsport knowledge.

Further details about Jaguar’s return to racing, such as team presentation, drivers and partners, will be released in the run up to the third season of the FIA Formula E Championship, which