Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

Market view: why the Jaguar XJ has an uphill battle

By Glen Brooks Motor Industry 10 July 2009 16:11 It’s a sobering thought for Jaguar management that no matter how good the new 2010 XJ is, it’s never going to be a big seller. The global market for large executive saloons was in decline long before the Great Recession appeared, the buyers in this segment increasingly tempted by models as diverse as the BMW X6, Infiniti FX, Cadillac Escalade or Mercedes GL-Class crossovers and SUVs. The generation that was chauffeured in an S-class or XJ is retiring, with the owner-drivers who succeed them soon to be preferring a Porsche Panamera, Aston Martin Rapide or Audi A7.

Aston Martin Virage dropped – to be replaced by new DB9

Less than eighteen months since it debuted – and after just over 1,000 cars – Aston Martin is dropping the Virage. The Aston Martin Virage always seemed a bit of a stretch too far for Aston Martin, and so it has proved. After a lifespan of no more than eighteen months – and with just over 1000 cars built – Aston Martin has decided that there are just too few buyers who feel the Virage is enough of a step up from the DB9 to warrant the extra cost.

KTM X-Bow – the heavyweight dealer arrives

Dick Lovett has been appointed as a dealer for the KTM X-Bow And the profile of the X-Bow keeps growing with the effusive comments from those who’ve driven it and the decent marketing the car is enjoying through sensible stuff like the KTM X-Bow Drive Orange days at Brands Hatch and Silverstone. But that 1,000 car a year production may have to be revised again after it has been announced that Dick Lovett – a high-end supercar dealer – has just been appointed KTM X-Bow dealer for South Wales and South West England. We who read (and write) about cars every day tend to assume that anyone looking for a supercar or high-end sports car is completely au fait with what the market has to offer.