Daily Archives: August 17, 2012

2013 Jaguar XF And XJ Available With An All-Wheel Drive System


Jaguar is building impressive cars with a wide range of engines, but so far there has not been an all-wheel drive option. For the 2013 model year, the XF and XJ range will be available also with AWD.

The XF and XJ AWD models will be powered exclusively by 335bhp 3.0 litre V6 supercharged petrol engine. The AWD system is powered exclusively by Jaguar’s new 3.0-litre V6 supercharged petrol engine in 340PS form driving through an eight-speed automatic transmission and featuring Stop/Start technology.

Mercedes-Benz Celebrates 105 Years Of Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles


Some automakers are just starting to add all-wheel drive systems to their vehicles, while others have been associated with four wheel drive vehicles for a very long time.

From the press release: This year marks the 105th anniversary of the very first commercially available four wheel drive vehicle – created in 1907 by Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG). The ‘Dernburg-Wagen’ featured not only four-wheel drive but was also equipped with four-wheel steering to aid manoeuvrability.

Volvo cuts prices, adds equipment for S60, V60 and V70

The new version includes much more equipment, however. New features include satellite navigation system, high performance multimedia audio system, Bluetooth and rear park assist

The cars are aimed at business drivers by combining the right equipment, with lower taxable list prices (so-called P11D prices) and reduced Benefit in Kind (BIK) liability thanks to low CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. Volvo has a little table that shows tax saving of up to £55 per month compared to direct competitors for a higher rate taxpayer.

Nick Mason buys 41st car for London to Brighton


Apologies to some younger visitors who may only have seen him in the Olympics Closing Ceremony, but the Pink Floyd drummer is a huge name in the classic car world.

He has bought a 1901 5 litre Peugeot to participate in his 27th London to Brighton run, on the grounds that it has about the biggest engine of any car of the time, so it should be able to get up the hills with greater ease than cars he has previously driven.

Unique Bentley Embiricos goes on show


Bentley is displaying one of the most important cars in its history at its factory in Crewe until September.

The Bentley Embiricos was commissioned by a wealthy Greek customer as the first ever aerodynamically inspired Bentley GT in 1938. The car went on to directly influence the 1952 R-Type Continental, which, in turn inspired the current Continental GT.