Latest Jaguar XF Forum News

At the 2011 Jaguar Academy of Sport Annual Awards, Kieran Martin was honoured with a Special Recognition Award. In winning this award Kieran will receive a years worth of one-to-one mentoring from Britain’s most successful female canoeist, Anna Hemmings. This one-to-one help and support from Anna will be invaluable for a young athlete and something that will allow Kieran to develop further and achieve his sporting goals.

Kieran, a 16 year-old windsurfer from Stoke-on-Trent, has recently made the transition from the Junior Techno Class to the Youth RSX in an extremely rapid time due to his extensive training programme and impeccable fitness. Kieran’s main goals are to compete at the RSX World Championships and then the Olympic Games.

Kieran had a long list of achievements in 2011 including winning the 2011 French National Championships, the 2011 Techno World Championships and the 2011 European Sailing Federation Youth Games. He also won a bronze medal at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games and the bronze in the U19 RSX Youth Europeans in Bulgaria, his first international event on the RSX Youth Kit.

Jaguar Academy of Sport Member Anna Hemmings is a retired canoeist, who left the sport after 15 years of competing as a two time Olympic Champion and six times World Champion. She is also the only British female canoeist to ever hold both European and World marathon canoeing titles concurrently.

Anna’s achievements in sport are key to inspiring the next generation of British sporting talent. Her success, experience and knowledge that she has gained over the years will make her a great mentor for Kieran.

Kieran Martin, Jaguar Academy of Sport Rising Star, commented: “I am delighted that my one-to-one mentor is Anna Hemmings, she has had great success in her sport and I’m sure I will be able to learn a lot from her.”

Anna Hemmings, Jaguar Academy of Sport Member and Mentor, commented: “Kieran is a very talented young sportsman who has achieved a lot already, I’m sure he will make the most of this opportunity and I look forward to supporting and watching him on the road to success.”

The Jaguar Academy of Sport aims to recognise, celebrate and inspire the very best of British sporting talent and success. This is fulfilled through a Bursary Fund and a unique Mentoring and Education Programme delivered through a series of workshops and talent days. Mentoring is key to the Academy and provides all the Rising Stars with the non-financial support they need in order to be successful and this support, means our Rising Stars are able to work with Britain’s sporting greats and ultimately their heroes who they aspire to be.

Every Jaguar XK represents a compelling combination of advanced engineering and cosseting luxury, yet the latest additions to the evolving range – the XK Artisan SE models – further enhance that luxury quality through the introduction of hand-crafted 'Artisan' interiors.

Available in both coupe and convertible form, the Special Edition model's Artisan interior introduces the use of tactile 'scraffito' finished leather to the front seats, instrument binnacle, door and rear quarter casings. In combination with Poltrona Frau® leather headlinings, two new veneer finishes – Shadow Walnut and Dark Figured Aluminium – and standard features including a 525W Bowers & Wilkins sound system, 16 by 16 way adjustable heated Performance seats, a heated steering wheel and keyless entry/start, each Special Edition model promises a heightened level of opulence and comfort.

To complement the sumptuous use of materials, Jaguar's design team, led by Director of Design Ian Callum, specified two exclusive Artisan interior colourways for the Special Edition models; Navy with Jet headlining and Truffle with Canvas headlining. Convertible hood colours have also been carefully selected and include Black, Blue, Grey and Brown. Special Edition treadplates and stainless steel pedals are additional discreet enhancements.

An exterior paint palette of three colours includes the exclusive Special Edition colour of Celestial Black, Polaris White and Rhodium Silver being the alternative options. A new 20-inch alloy wheel design completes the exterior changes; Orona style with a polished finish.

XK: an advanced choice

Whether in coupe or convertible form, each Special Edition model benefits from the advanced engineering techniques inherent to the entire Jaguar XK range. Jaguar is industry-leading in its use of aluminium technology, and both coupe and convertible models utilise riveted and bonded aluminium monocoque construction that means light weight, exceptional rigidity and strength. In combination with continuously variable adaptive damping – standard on all models – and a 5.0-litre direct-injection V8 petrol engine in 385PS naturally-aspirated form, the result is a beautifully damped yet controlled ride, precise handling, and effortless performance when required.

Swallow to Jaguar - 90th Anniversary Tour

The 4th September 1922 is a significant date in Jaguar history for two reasons. Firstly it
was the coming of age of a visionary young gentleman called William Lyons. Secondly, it
was the date on which he founded the Swallow Sidecar Company together with his partner
William Walmsley. Financial backing was provided by their respective families and a
£1,000 bank loan. First and second floor premises were found in Bloomfield Road,
Blackpool and production commenced, laying the foundations for a business that would
evolve into the Jaguar marque that we know and love today.
In the intervening ninety years, a fascinating metamorphosis has taken place. From
humble beginnings producing aluminium bodied sidecars for motorcycles, the company
has grown to become a manufacturer of class-leading luxury sports and saloon cars that
are sold throughout the world. Along the way, the history books contain an astonishing list
of iconic products, motorsport successes, design and technical innovations. From SS100
to E-type, Mark V to XJ, Mark ll to XF, Le Mans to Daytona, monocoque to disc brake –
the list goes on and on. However, all these achievements have something in common:
they were made possible by the vision and drive of one man – William Lyons.

To celebrate the 90th anniversary of the foundation of the Swallow Sidecar Company, Sir
William Lyons' first business and the forerunner of today's Jaguar Cars Limited, a unique
event is being organised by Jaguar Heritage.
Building on the success of the E-type 50th Anniversary Tour from Coventry to Geneva that
Jaguar Heritage organised in March 2011, this year's event will be UK based and will take
place from September 2nd to 9th to encompass the exact 90th anniversary date.
Commencing in Coventry, the Tour will circle round through Cambridgeshire, Norfolk,
Yorkshire and the Lake District before culminating with two nights in Blackpool where a
number of special events and activities are planned. Full details of the itinerary are
contained on Attachment 1.
The Tour will accommodate 90 vehicles and is open to owners of Swallow, SS, Jaguar,
Daimler or Lanchester cars of any age. If you would like to participate, please complete
and return the official application form. Further information of what is included in the Tour
package and the costs are contained on Attachment 2


Jaguar Heritage
February 2012

If you are sitting in your office with a few minutes to spare, I know many of you have , click on the image below and learn a little about the future of Jaguar.

10 February 2012.

The Jaguar Academy of Sport is delighted to announce that Special Recognition Award Winner Rhys Walker will receive one-to-one mentoring from British swimmer Adam Whitehead.

At the 2011 Jaguar Academy of Sport Annual Awards, Rhys Walker was provided with a Special Recognition Award. In winning this award Rhys will receive a years worth of one-to-one mentoring from Adam Whitehead, former European and Commonwealth Champion. This one-to-one help and support from Adam will be invaluable for a young athlete and something that will allow Rhys to develop further and achieve his sporting goals.

Rhys, 18 year-old badminton player from Nuneaton, Warwickshire started playing at the age of eight and has competed both nationally and internationally. He is currently ranked No1 in the U19 boy singles, doubles and mixed doubles. Having won the singles national title for four years running and taking the triple crown of singles, doubles and mixed in 2011, Walker is now focusing on his singles career and currently trains up to 5 days a week with former England International and Senior Head Coach of the National Team, Steve Butler in Coventry, Warwickshire.

Adam Whitehead, also born in Nuneaton, is a British swimmer who enjoyed a 10-year career in the sport. He represented Great Britain at European, Commonwealth, World and Olympic level.

Adam’s achievements in sport are key to inspiring the next generation of British sporting talent. His success, experience and knowledge that he has gained over the years will make him a great mentor for Rhys.

Rhys Walker, Jaguar Academy of Sport Rising Star, commented: “I am delighted to have Adam as my mentor, we are both from the same area and I was even taught at school by his mum. He has had great success in his sport and I’m really looking forward to gaining the experience Adam has to offer.”

Adam Whitehead, Jaguar Academy of Sport Mentor, commented: “Rhys is a great lad and very determined to succeed. He has already achieved so much at such a young age and I’m looking forward to supporting him on his journey to the top. He is a great success story for our local area!”

The Jaguar Academy of Sport aims to recognise, celebrate and inspire the very best of British sporting talent and success. This is fulfilled through a Bursary Fund and a unique Mentoring and Education Programme delivered through a series of workshops and talent days. Mentoring is key to the Academy and provides all the Rising Stars with the non-financial support they need in order to be successful and this support, means our Rising Stars are able to work with Britain’s sporting greats and ultimately their heroes who they aspire to be.

Whitley, Warwickshire, 9 February 2012

With the cold snap continuing, Land Rover vehicles are out in action across the UK helping the British Red Cross and emergency services reach vulnerable people.

As well as loaning vehicles, Land Rover has provided specialist winter driving training to volunteers from the Red Cross and London Ambulance Service who have been using Land Rover vehicles to respond to emergencies that would otherwise be difficult to access. The same course is now available to members of the public through Land Rover Experience centres nationwide.

When snow fell last weekend, Red Cross ambulance crews responded to 999 emergency calls in Land Rover Defender ambulances. Teams worked from bases in Redhill in Surrey and Winchester in Hampshire to ensure vital support got to people in need – wherever they were. And 4x4 ambulances were on duty in Derbyshire and Leicester, supporting the East Midlands Ambulance Service.

Volunteers from the fire and emergency support service (FESS) in Surrey used a Land Rover support vehicle to tackle difficult snowy conditions to reach a couple who’d been forced to flee their home following a fire. And in Essex, nurses unable to get to work through heavy snow were transported by Red Cross vehicles.

Emergency teams in Kent and Surrey used their Land Rovers to take care workers to their clients and make house-calls to check on the welfare of vulnerable older people, ensuring that they received personal care and hot meals.

With the wintry weather set to continue, drivers are being warned to take extra care in snow and ice and be prepared for difficult conditions. Land Rover has created a useful video for drivers, which gives winter preparedness and driving advice.


Land Rover Experience is also launching a special winter driving course at its 10 centres across the UK, including Solihull in the West Midlands, Halewood on Merseyside and Gaydon in Warwickshire. The half-day course is delivered by trained instructors to prepare drivers for severe weather, advising on the best techniques to negotiate icy, snowy and wet conditions safely and effectively. There is also some timely advice on how to tackle deep water for when the thaw comes.

Topics covered include choosing the correct tyres, vehicle preparation, essential kit to carry and how to use the vehicle's controls and make the most of Land Rover's unique Terrain Response™ system in slippery conditions. Hands-on experience comes in one of the Experience Centre’s vehicles on suitable terrain.

For further details visit www.landrover.co.uk and follow the link to the Land Rover Experience.