Is an American-Built Jaguar in the Future?

Jaguar XE- To be American Built? - JLR Image

Reports out of the UK indicate that Jaguar-Land Rover is in talks with several southern US states about the construction of a new assembly plant. The Liverpool Echo said that a mooted Jaguar-Land Rover production facility in Saudi Arabia would be shelved in favor of the American plant.

Currently, the southeast US is the home of several assembly plants, including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Kia, Toyota and Honda. The supplier infrastructure that supports these facilities is robust and their proximity would be of interest to Jaguar-Land Rover. 

The Echo reports that South Carolina is currently the odds-on favorite. Read the full story here.    

Rocketman!

The 2011 Geneva Motor Show was the site for the unveiling of MINI's Rocketman ultracompact concept car. This four seater, with innovations to make driving (and living) in congested cities easier, was one of the few "smaller" MINI concepts up to that point.

All: BMW- Click for Larger Images

The MINI product line (and the MINI Hardtop itself) has grown over the years and enthusiasts asked for a model closer in size to the classic 1959-2000 Mini. 

Now, Motoring File is reporting that the Rocketman is a go for production. Their inside sources tell them that a production version could be ready for sale around 2018 and could possibly share its unseen bits with another manufacturer's small city car. 

Get the full story from Motoring File.  

British Car Festival 24 is Upon Us

Yes, indeed it is October and the South Alabama British Car Club's biggest event is just a few short weeks away. This year's show committee has worked harder then ever to make sure that the show participants have a great time. 

Third-gen MINI Cooper S

As you may have read earlier in this humble blog, BCF 2014 is moving to a new venue due to planned (but ultimately delayed) construction at our usual  Faulkner State Community College campus in downtown Fairhope, Alabama. Instead, we will be just one block south at the campus of Fairhope United Methodist Church. Last year's show attendees who made it to the Friday night welcome party will remember it as the venue for that evening event. SABCC is indeed grateful for Fairhope UMC's invitation to conduct this year's show on their lovely, tree shaded campus.

Jim O'Brien's Sunbeam Tiger at BCF 2013

Again, our friends at MINI of Pensacola will be displaying the new third-generation MINI hatch and other examples of the growing product line. The MINI folks will also have some cool swag on sale at their featured display area on the field. 

Do You Remember These Guys?

The show will feature the Sunbeam Tiger in observance of the 50th anniversary of this Anglo-American hybrid (designed before hybrid meant electricity is involved somewhere) that was developed by Carroll Shelby. In fact ALL Rootes Group marques will be honored and their owners will receive some special treats on the day of the show.

Where were YOU when the Beatles made their American debut? We'll also be remembering the start of the "British Invasion" in American pop music. We'll have some background music during the day that will certainly get you singing along with the best of Britain. 

Here is a calendar of events and details associated with the 24th annual British Car Festival:.

Friday Evening Welcome Party 7:00PM at the Abundant Life Center building at Fairhope United Methodist Church 155 South Section Street in Fairhope. Meet fellow British car enthusiasts and enjoy some great homemade goodies courtesy of SABCC member families.  

British Car Festival 2014 9:00AM at the campus of  Fairhope United Methodist Church in downtown Fairhope, Alabama. Day of show registration closes at noon and popular choice ballots will handed out shortly thereafter. Balloting will close at 2:00PM and awards will be begin at 3:30PM

To allow you to park your car quickly and with the least delay, we urge you to pre-register. You can print a form here and mail it in.

We look forward to seeing you at the 24th Annual British Car Festival. Stay tuned for news about next year's show, too - our 25th anniversary year event!

A Visit to the Morgan Factory

The folks from /DRIVE visited the Morgan factory in Malvern Link last year. The tour was hosted by Charles Morgan shortly before his dismissal from the firm. 



For those of you who may not know, /DRIVE is an Internet automotive news video magazine that covers topics ranging from modern supercars to classics. If you have a half hour or so invest, /DRIVE is an interesting site to browse.

This is blog post number 600. Thank you for visiting this site over the years.

The "New" Four Door Coupe Body Style

German automakers are introducing their latest styling innovation in the form of the four door coupe. These low roofed four door cars offer the convenience of the extra doors in a coupe-like body style. Some examples:

BMW Gran Coupe

Mercedes CLS

Audi RS 7

And the original four door coupe:

Rover P5 Coupe

Your Move, Mercedes

Some of you may have seen a television ad by Mercedes-Benz touting their "Magic Body Control" system for the high-zoot S-Class. In the slightly bizarre ad, Mercedes demonstrates how a chicken's head will stay is one spot while a handler moves its body around in several different planes. 

Here is the advert:




The post-Ford Jaguar has sharpened its claws a bit both from product and marketing standpoints. The sublime F-Type has garnered almost universal praise and its advertising has taken on a bit of an edge.

To-wit:



Yeah, I thought you would laugh.

MG3 TV Advert Running in the UK

The small MG hatchback recently introduced in the UK carries a great burden on its shoulders. This is the volume car that MG needs to build their comeback in Europe after the bankruptcy and selloff of the assets of the former MG Rover Group.

The MG3 is a Ford Focus-sized four door hatchback that starts at £9,999.00 or around US$15,000. The early reviews are mostly positive but can this little car bring MG firmly into the 21st century? Time will tell.

 

Third Generation MINI Cooper Hatch Breaks Cover

The folks over at Automobile magazine published a series of spy photos of the next generation MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S on their web site. 

Automobile Magazine - Chris Doane

The new MINI adopted the Rocketman concept car's headlights and sports a more, ah, surprised "face". The taillights - just peeking out of the camouflage appear to be somewhat similar to the new Paceman coupe. Also visible is the new dashboard which was rumored at one time to have lost the center dial setup. There is something in the center that is round, however it could be the radio-navigation-climate control buttons. 

We'll see this fall. In the meantime, check out color on the MINI Cooper S in the shots - pretty dang close to my faithful Mini's color - Bracken! Love it.  

UPDATE

The folks at MINI reacted to the leaked photos with a tongue-in-cheek press release:

Official Release: Aggressive and relentless papping is something British celebrities have had to learn to live with. Members of the Royal Family, as well as actors, footballers and top models are all familiar with the sensation of being caught in uncompromising situations, and now MINI is the latest victim. Absolutely unaware and without make-up, the youngest member of our family was caught by sensationalist photographers in a highly private moment. The young one was yellow and completely defenceless. We understand the worldwide interest in our family but it is not the British way to send such unfavourable pictures around the globe.


But like a good stiff-upper-lipped Brit, MINI shall not complain, although we would like to officially state that we are not flattered. The published pictures do not reflect our good looks any way. As every celebrity knows, those extra long telephoto lenses have the devastating ability to negatively distort all surfaces, lines and angles. Therefore our advice: next time come closer to the object of desire. If that doesn’t work, don’t worry, shortly you will have the opportunity to experience the MINI up close and personal, and to take pictures from all angles.
 

Vanquish Your Trust Fund

• You like a V12 soundtrack
• You enjoy open top motoring
• You want a bit of exclusivity
• You've got about $300,000.00 sitting around

Aston Martin can tick all the boxes with their new V12 Vanquish Volante.  Check out the
introductory video and let me know when you place your order. 

 

The New Jaguar F-Type is Incredible

The Best Technicians are Trained Here

It's been known for some time now that Jaguar was designing a two seat sports car to compete with the likes of two seaters from Porsche. The new car will go on sale in May of this year. Having seen and heard one, I am convinced that Jaguar has a smash hit on their hands.

Former SABCC member and Jaguar North America Training Manager Tony Fleming invited club president Richard Cunningham and me to drop by the regional Jaguar service training center in Atlanta during our recent visit to the area. This spotless, modern facility is reflection of Jaguar's commitment to quality service provided by properly trained technicians. 

A Jaguar F1 Promotional Model

Tony welcomed Richard and me in the reception area of the center where several significant cars are on display. The last North American spec XJS keeps the last ever XJ6 company on the reception floor while several cut away car show engines proudly show off the craftsman's talents. A full-size model of a Jaguar Formula 1 car shares space with a cutaway Land Rover Discovery chassis that took part in a number of auto shows.

Tony proudly showed us through the well-appointed training rooms on the site as well as a number of work benches with the latest specialized factory tools on hand. We then followed him to the garage area where examples of Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles were available for hands-on work for the trainees. Among the cars present were two early production examples of the new F-Type roadster.

A Portion of the Reception Area

The training center was assigned a white six-cylinder and a dark gray V8 S. Photos of the cars in recent magazines simply do not do these beautiful shapes justice. They are absolutely stunning. Tony opened the door of the gray roadster and motioned for me to sit at the wheel which I readily accepted.

The supportive seats covered in the most supple of leather were supremely comfortable and form fitting. All of the interior surfaces were covered in leather, aluminum or very high quality man-made materials. Surfaces such as the paddle shifters were covered in a tactile, soft touch material, too. 

Tony invited me to start the car so we could appreciate the sound of the V8. Step on the brake pedal, press the "START" button and the reward is a very non-Jaguar bellow from the four exhaust outlets. The grin on our faces could only be described as silly. Our inner children were very happy, indeed.

The View that You'll See Most Often on the Highway

We were then shown through the Land Rover side of the center where a new all-aluminum Range Rover was there for the benefit of the technicians in training. This very handsome vehicle retains its famous off road capabilities while bringing new levels of comfort and sophistication to its well -heeled owners. A waft of wood, leather and fine wool greeted us as the drivers door was opened. 

The tour wound down back in the reception area where we sat on the comfortable leather lounge furniture and chatted until it was time to depart. Tony promised that he would stay in touch and that he hoped he could get to Mobile soon.

Thanks for your hospitality, Tony!

   

 

Jaguar F-Type

Jaguar F-Type

OK, lovers of the feline marque,  the so-called spiritual successor to the iconic E-Type (that's an XK-E to you, cowboy) is to be unveiled in Paris later this month. Jaguar has been playing a tease marketing game with the new model by giving it its own dedicated Web site and running camouflaged test cars in public with "SEARCH F-TYPE" proudly pasted on the body.

The aluminum-intensive body structure is said to be highly rigid - a good thing since the F-Type is to be sold in a convertible version only. It will be powered by your choice of two V6 engines with the hotter one cranking out 380 HP. Cog-changing duties are entrusted to an 8 speed paddle shift autobox by ZF.

The F-Type will give Jaguar an "entry-level" sports car competing with the likes of Porsche's Boxter. 

If you want to get the details that Jaguar has released to date check out the official F-Type Web site.

 

An Answer to a Question No One Asked

MGB/GT. The successful "closing" of the MGB roadster by legendary Italian deign house Pininfarina has been declared the inspiration for a new MG SUV concept called Icon rolled out at the Beijing Auto Show over the weekend. A toned-down version of the four door concept is likely headed to production at some point in the future with build taking place either in China or the UK Longbridge assembly site.

The concept uses an almost perfect re-creation of the chrome MGB grille and similar angles of the rear roofline as carefully pointed out in the press releases and presentation at the unveiling. The most jarring aspect of the concept is the use of the older car's bumper overriders as inspiration for the running and fog lights.

A Fat Wallet Does Not Imply Driving Skill

Many of you loyal readers may have seen this fan-boy video clip of a million-plus-dollar Aston Martin being stalled repeatedly on a Paris street. 

The Aston Martin One 77 is a limited run (77 copies only) super coupe powered by a 7.3 litre, 750 BHP V-12 engine. As with most modern high performance cars, the transmission is a paddle shift automatic affair. Clothed in an aluminum body, the carbon fiber chassis rides on a suspension derived from Aston's DB9. Plunk down US$1.7 million and you can attempt to take it to its 220 MPH top speed.

Our friend in the video seems to be having a bit of a time getting the whole shebang underway. I'm sure the super blackout window tint is hiding a mighty red face. 

More Images from the Last Days of MG-Rover

MG-TF Bodyshell -Courtesy Clubcela

The former assembly plant of MG-Rover has been mentioned in several posts on this humble blog, but I can't resist adding one more.

The Spanish -language Clubcela website dedicated to urban exploration ran a selection of photos gathered by explorers of the shut down Longbridge plant. A large number of the buildings documented here are now demolished, making way for a redevelopment project. Others are still in use and they are where the UK assembly of the new MG car line will be carried out. 

Check out the photos here.

London Reinterprets an Icon

Is it possible to read an article about London without seeing an image of a red double decker bus? No more likely than not seeing Big Ben, a red phone box or a black cab. 


Transport for London (TfL) recently ran a competition to redesign the bus to bring it into the 21st century while maintaining the visual cues that would make it instantly recognizable. The winner of the competition is making a tour of London this month and is pictured here.

From:the TfL web site:

The new bus for London is a bus the Capital can be proud of. Inspired by the old Routemaster, it is modern, fully accessible and uses the latest green technology. 
 

It's the first bus designed specifically for the Capital's streets for more than 50 years. Passengers will be able to hop on and off through three sets of doors. When a conductor is on board, passengers can also use the open rear platform.

It is so iconic that SABCC arranged to have one present at last year's British Car Festival.  

Morgan Celebrates the 4/4's Jubliee Year

Morgan Motor Company has unveiled a commemorative 4/4 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the introduction of the firm's first four wheel, four cylinder vehicle. Until 1937, Morgans were three-wheeled affairs powered by two cylinder air cooled engines.

Official Morgan Photo

From the official Morgan press release:

"Today Morgan Motor Company announced the specification for the latest Morgan Four Four offering. Created to honour the 75th anniversary of the iconic Morgan 4/4, the Anniversary edition will be produced as a limited run special. Morgan Motor Company state that the 75th Anniversary combines “the low size and weight benefits of the entry level 4/4 with the power train from the larger more powerful Morgan Plus 4. A carefully selected set of standard options, with additional unique body graphics, completes arguably the best standard combination of body, engine and aesthetic in the Morgan Classic range.” This new Morgan 4/4 Sports car is being offered in 3 colours: Sport Black, Sport Red and Old English White. All come with black perforated leather interior, carpets, hood and wheels. The dashboard is polished Tawny ash and a Mota Lita wheel is standard. The combination of the Ford sourced 2.0 engine from the Classic Plus 4 and the narrow wings of the standard 4/4 should make for a very spirited drive.

The car is available for £38,750 (Approx US$60,000) + on the road charges from Morgan Motor Company and their associated dealers".

At present it is unclear whether it will be offered in the US.  

I Think I've Seen This Before...

New MINI Coupe

The folks behind the wildly successful MINI revival just can't get it wrong, it would seem. Every variation of the new MINI model has been well received by the public with dealers not able to keep up with the demand for the new wagons, SUVs and now the MINI Coupe.This taut little two seater features a lower roofline and an opening boot. While to some eyes it is groundbreaking design, I can see where the inspiration came from: the Broadspeed GT. 

Broadspeed was originally set up to provide hotted-up engines for racing with special expertise in Ford Anglia powerplants as well as BMC A-series engines. The firm also fielded racing teams in the 1960s where they campaigned their own Anglias and Mini-Coopers with some success. 

Broadspeed GT

In 1966, firm owner Ralph Broad developed the Broadspeed GT - a Mini-Cooper S with lower roofline and opening boot. The GT retained the four seat layout of the Mini-Cooper on which it was based, but added numerous interior luxuries like an upscale dashboard with improved instrumentation, leather seating and aftermarket steering wheel . Broadspeed was actually the manufacturer of record as the cars were badged Broadspeed and not Austin or Morris.   

I've noted in these humble scribblings that MINI is reaching way back in the history cupboard for new model ideas. Now, how about a new MINI Moke?

MINI 2 Million

David Cameron in MINI 2 Million

The two-millionth MINI produced at the BMW Plant Oxford (that would be the Morris Cowley Plant to many of us) rolled off the line yesterday driven by Prime Minister David Cameron for the press.This event occurred near the tenth anniversary of modern MINI production.

Mini 2 Million. Issigonis must have an appointment

Interestingly, the two-millionth classic Mini was produced in 1969, also ten years into its long life. The classic, however, was essentially the same car over this period while the modern is nearing its third redesign. 

Just sayin'. 

The $52,000.00 MINI

$52,000.00.  Let that soak in for minute.

The folks at MINI have introduced something they are calling MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD. This particular MINI is being massaged by the craftspeople of Rolls-Royce with luxuries such as burr walnut accents, lambswool carpets and cashmere headliner. Rolls and MINI are both owned by BMW and the inspiration for the cross-pollination may come from the classic "booted" Minis of the 1960's  - the Riley Elf and Wosleley Hornet.

While I've giggled at Aston Martin's tarted up Toyota IQ, this one has me scratching my head. Here is the MINI press release for your perusal:

MINI fans in the US will have their first chance to see two exciting and very different, new MINI vehicles at the world-famous Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California this week. Both vehicles can be found at the MINI Display, located at the intersection of Pedestrian Walkway and 17-Mile Drive.

The MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD is an exclusive special edition of the MINI Hardtop which has been produced in close collaboration with the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars design team, and it will be displayed alongside the new two-seater MINI Coupe which will also be shown publicly in the USA for the first time.

Your butt could be here for just 52 large

MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD adds another layer to the MINI brand experience, bringing a generous measure of automotive luxury and exclusivity in its highest form. It will be priced at $52,000 (including $700 D&H), when advanced orders begin later this month.

Working with the development center of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England, MINI has produced a limited-run special edition MINI, whose exterior and interior design is complemented by fine materials and the British luxury car marque’s commitment to flawless workmanship.

It will be produced in a limited edition of 1,000 units – 140 of which will be available to US customers – and combines typical MINI driving fun with the same discerning craftsmanship, select materials, styling and all-round ‘typical British understatement’ that are hallmarks of the world’s leading producer of luxury automobiles.

Deliveries of the 2012 model year vehicle, which will be launched as part of the exclusive ‘MINI Yours’ range of special edition vehicles and options, are scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2012.

Two of the most striking features of the exterior design are the body finish in the exclusive Rolls-Royce color of Diamond Black metallic and 17-inch light alloy wheels sporting a multi-spoke design. Alternatively, the MINI color Reef Blue metallic can be specified.

A Cooper S engine and no faux bonnet scoop

 Inside, the dashboard (including the surrounds of the central instrument and the air vents), the center console, carpet surfaces, the Lounge leather seats, the roof lining as well as the door, side and body pillar cladding boast the exclusive Rolls-Royce color Cornsilk, a warm and natural shade of beige. Only the upper section of the instrument panel is in black.

In terms of Rolls-Royce materials in the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD, the interior includes seats covered in Lounge leather, Lambswool floor mats, a cashmere headliner, fascia and front door grab handles in burr walnut veneer and a sports steering wheel with Walknappa leather and Piano Black controls.

Each MINI Inspired by Goodwood is powered by the turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that was featured for the first time in the 2011 MINI Cooper S. This engine includes a Twin Scroll turbocharger, direct injection and variable valve control and generates 181 hp, so the sprint from 0 to 60 mph is completed in 6.6 seconds. A choice of either six-speed manual and automatic transmissions will be offered

Now, will MINI return the favor to Rolls? Will we see a Ghost with a white roof, dinner plate-sized speedo and supple vinyl seating? Stay tuned. 

MG Reaches into the Past to Introduce the New MG6

I've written about the new MG6 that is currently in production in China and is now being built int he UK. This saloon (that's a sedan, cowboy) is the first new design to carry the MG badge since the implosion of MG-Rover several years ago. The video that I've posted here is an introduction of the new car and MG has reached way back to try to add some sporting character to the MG6. I have to give them full marks for the classics they chose to include in the film.

The only gaffe I spotted was in the film of the running start at LeMans - the car in the center of the frame is actually a Triumph TR3.

No, we still can't buy new MGs in the US of A.