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Jaguar's Advanced Lightweight Coupe concept car has an aluminum body and supercharged V-8 that should put performance in Porsche 911 territory.Ford's premium brands roll out new ideas and models
Jaguar's concept arrived with a flashy light show.
Jaguar pins future on sleek coupe
The 2006 Range Rover is available with a supercharged 4.2-liter engine.
DETROIT - Ford Motor Co.'s premium European brands showed off their latest concepts and new production models Monday at the North American International Auto Show.
A new Jaguar concept car, the Advanced Lightweight Coupe, arrived with flashy lightshow and shows where Design Director Ian Callum wants to take Jaguar. This is officially a concept, but it will likely hit the road nearly intact as the next-generation 2007 XK8 and XKR coupe and convertible, a source said.
The concept has a bonded and riveted aluminum skeleton supporting aluminum body panels, which should drop curb weight by several hundred pounds compared with the current car. This, plus higher-horsepower versions of the current cars' normally aspirated and supercharged V-8s, should put performance in Porsche 911 territory.
"The Advanced Lightweight Coupe represents the very essence of Jaguar, its heart and soul," said Joe Greenwell, chairman and CEO of Jaguar Cars. "If you want to know what lies ahead for use, what direction we will take, this is Jaguar's answer."
Volvo revealed the 3CC concept with a tapered shape that is unmistakably Volvo. But, under the hood is an electric powertrain that quietly propels the Volvo 3CC to a top speed of over 85 mph and delivers zero to 60 mph acceleration in less than 10 seconds with zero emissions.
The Volvo 3CC has dimensions similar to a classic two-seater sports car, but in fact it has a unique two-plus-one configuration, providing seating for two adults in the front and an additional adult or two children in the rear.
This three-seat configuration provides a unique experience with occupant communication, unprecedented rear occupant comfort and all-around visibility for all passengers.
"With the Volvo 3CC, Volvo Cars is pioneering a new way of looking at mobility so future generations can enjoy the same freedoms the car has given my generation," said Lars Erik Lundin, vice president and general manager of the Volvo Monitoring and Concept Center. "We believe it is necessary to show new ways to help reduce pollution and congestion."
It's powered by an electric motor that draws from lithium-ion batteries like those in laptops for a range of close to 200 miles in perfect conditions. These batteries are extremely costly, said Lundin, so don't expect them, or much else about this car, to make it into production.
The significance of the 3CC, Lundin said, is that its design foreshadows the V30, a three-door hatchback based on the same platform as the S40 and V50.
"But don't expect to see that car in showrooms for another two years," Lundin said.
The Range Rover for 2006 is the most refined, most luxurious and most powerful Range Rover ever, said Land Rover's managing director Matthew Taylor. Two new gasoline engines, including a powerful supercharged 4.2-liter, are complemented by fresh exterior design details, a quieter interior and a profusion of new technology.
"The Range Rover has always been the world's most complete luxury SUV," said Taylor. "With this new, even more refined flagship for the company, we believe that the best luxury SUV in the world is now even better."
The latest Range Rover joins the recently announced, dynamic Range Rover Sport, which has extended the Land Rover line-up to five models for the first time.
The Land Rover Range Rover Sport is based on the LR3, but it is sleeker version of the flagship Range Rover. The Sport offers a choice of Jaguar 4.2-liter V-8s, a base engine with 300 horsepower and a supercharged version with 390 horsepower. Permanent four-wheel drive is standard.
Volvo's 3CC concept car can do 0 to 60 mph in less than 10 seconds with zero emissions.
2006 Jaguar XK Victory
Jaguar
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