NEW XF UNVEILED:Jaguar launched its new XF range to the media in Monaco yesterday, ahead of its arrival in Irish dealerships at the end of this month.
The new car, which was first test driven in Motors back in December 19th, starts at €69,950 for both 2.7-litre diesel and 3.0-litre petrol. Taking its styling cues from the recently launched XK sports car, it has already reaped a host of awards for the brand.
Most notable for buyers is the warm reception it has received from those who gauge depreciation rates.
In Britain it has gained a "best in class" ranking in terms of holding value over three years by firms like Glass's Guide. Part of this is down to a decision to keep standard specification high.
The diesel version will be the biggest seller, taking up to 90 per cent of the expected annual sales which are likely to be in the region of 200 cars per year.
MERCEDES SHOW NEW CLASS: Mercedes has unveiled its new-generation SL class. The popular roadster dates back to 1954, which saw the introduction of the 300 SL 'Gullwing'. The new SL 350 will be powered by a newly developed, high-revving engine, which boasts 315bhp, but with marginally improved fuel consumption.
Mercedes says the new SL range will also feature a six-cylinder model in the shape of the SL 350, along with the SL 500 with a V8 engine.
Topping the range will be the SL 600 with a V12 engine. The SL gets a new front-end design, with a more prominent radiator grille, replicating earlier SL models. It will also get direct-steer: Merc's speed-sensitive power steering system. The new SL is due for launch later in the spring.
SHANGHAI AUTO HAS HIGH HOPES FOR ROADSTER: China's Shanghai Automotive (SAIC) hopes to begin producing the MG TF roadster in Nanjing in May, and at its plant in Longbridge, in Britain, within three months of that date, a senior executive said this week.
But SAIC admitted the car's long-awaited relaunch could be delayed again as it grapples with quality issues and rebuilds tooling bought in 2005 from bankrupt MG Rover and shipped to China by Nanjing Automobile (NAC), with which SAIC merged in December.
"We want to begin production of cars at Longbridge as soon as possible, but the first priority for us is the quality of the product," Chen Hong, SAIC's president said.
The relaunch of MG's two-seater, which has a passionate following, will mark the highest-profile European debut yet for a Chinese-made car. SAIC has selected 50 dealers to sell the car, and distributed a teaser brochure of the roadster with the slogan "A New Journey".
MG is also studying at least three new models which it hopes to produce from 2010, Mr Chen said. However, the carmaker is still building a supply base in China and Europe that would allow it to meet European quality standards. About 70 per cent of the cars' content, including their engines, will be made in China, and 30 per cent in Europe.
"From the point of view of SAIC, more time is needed for quality," Mr Chen said.