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Monday, December 1, 2008

Spy Shots: Jaguar XK diesel under development

Spy Shots: Jaguar XK diesel under development

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The reports are true: a 3.0-liter diesel Jaguar XK is on the way. The new XK, long due for a serious refresh, will show up in 2009 with the minor addition of the JaguarDrive selector a la XF and the major addition of a diesel engine to boost fuel economy and sales, along with two new V8s.

Since Jaguar's 2.7-liter V6, which puts out 204 hp and 320 lb-ft., is only getting bored out to 3.0 liters it probably won't match the numbers put up by BMW's 3.5-liter, at 286 hp and 427 lb-ft. But the larger lump should goose the horsepower number and seriously increase torque (we hope) at least to the level of Audi's 3.0-liter V6 diesel, which turns out 240 hp and 369 lb-ft.

If diesel economy and pump prices still don't register with you, there will still be two gas options to fuel the fires. The 4.2-liter V8 goes away to make room for the new 5.0-liter with 400 hp, and if you want whipped cream and cherries on top, hit Jaguar up for the supercharged XK-R with 500 hp.

[Source: CAR]

Spy Shots: Jaguar XK diesel under development originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Michelin partners with Chinese firm to create Active Wheel system

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Click above for more shots of the Michelin Active Wheel and the Ventire Volage

Before Michelin began wrapping halos of rubber around the wheels of our cars, the hoops were made completely from wood -- horse and buggy style. That's what we call a serious innovation, and the French tire maker has got plenty of ideas to keep it at the forefront of rolling technology. The latest bit of high-tech kit revolving out of Michelin's design department is known as the Active Wheel system. Two motors, one to propel the car and another for the integrated suspension system, sit inside the hub and allow the entire drivetrain to fit neatly enclosed at each corner.

This innovative design would potentially allow for an amazingly diverse set of platforms that could be engineered to accept the same set of shoes. Depending on the size of the actual Active Wheels used, the technology could be applied to virtually any type of car. With so much going on in just the rolling-stock, it should come as no surprise that Michelin is looking for partners to help offload some of the rest of the car's design and has just signed an agreement with CITIC Guoan Mengguli Corp. in China. Important bits like the lithium-ion battery development will be carried out in China where test-mules equipped with lithium-powered Active Wheels are already running around city streets.

Gallery: Venturi Volage

[Sources: Michelin, Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Continue reading Michelin partners with Chinese firm to create Active Wheel system

Michelin partners with Chinese firm to create Active Wheel system originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AutoblogGreen for 12.01.08

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click to visit AutoblogGreen

While a lot of Americans got full stomachs and empty wallets this past weekend, the discussion of how to save Detroit through greening Detroit continued. The holiday also brought us green news from the Macy's Parade and gave us a chance to sit back and think of ten green automotive things we're thankful for.


More headlines after the jump.

Continue reading AutoblogGreen for 12.01.08

AutoblogGreen for 12.01.08 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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