New Jaguar XE will return up to 75mpg – lightweight aluminium accounts for 75% of structure

The new Jaguar XE’s lightweight construction will deliver up to 75mpg The Jaguar XE will debut officially on 8 September, and Jaguar are busy rolling out details of what the XE will offer to keep interest and expectations high. Today’s instalment in the ‘What will the XE offer? ‘ series of technology teases focuses on the XE’s light weight and frugality.

Aston Martin Rapide – First customer car

The first Aston Martin Rapide leaves the factory It may not seem the biggest news in the world – Aston Martin Rapide leaves factory for customer’. After all, that is rather the point. But the gestation of the AM Rapide seems to have been so long it’s quite hard to remember who owned Aston Martin when the Rapide first poked its very elegant nose above the parapet, so it seems a big deal that complete cars are now heading out to customers.

Volkswagen launches Car-Net in-car assistance system

Volkswagen has launched an in-car assistance system which will offer a number of convenience and diagnostic features. Not too dissimilar from some other systems already on the market -- such as BMW Assist, Mercedes-Benz'sMbrace, and GM's On-Star -- VW's system will offer roadside assistance, service appointment scheduling, and automatic crash notification. The latter triggers a call from the vehicle to a Car-Net customer specialist when the airbags in the car are deployed, which will then connect the occupants with a local public safety answering point, which can send emergency vehicles to the scene if needed.