P05059067ac Mopar Dodge / Chrysler / Jeep Boston Acoustics 6x9 Speaker 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.

JAC Vision IV concept (w/ Gallery)

JAC revealed this four-door Vision IV concept at the Beijing Motor Show.  Designed by JAC's Turin-based design team, the concept showcases both a hybrid powertrain and a new A-segment chassis that houses a lithium ion battery in the center tunnel. The styling is meant to convey both a sense of 'natural electricity' and the fluid, natural strokes of Chinese calligraphy. Read more about the concept's design in our 2010 Beijing Motor Show Highlights and see more photos and sketches in the gallery below.

Mercedes GLA Edition 1 announced

The Mercedes GLA Edition 1 (pictured) is a luanch edition for the new GLA SUV The new Mercedes GLA Compact SUV had its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show last week, and is due to go on sale in November. But when it does go on sale, sales will start off with a limited run of GLA Edition 1 cars, just as Mercedes did with the CLA 45 AMG Edition 1, but in the case of the GLA you’ll be able to spec the Edition 1 pack on any GLA model. With a choice of four exterior colours - Cirrus White, Mountain Grey Metallic, Orient Brown Metallic and Designo Magno Mountingrau – the Edition 1 comes with 19″ AMG alloys, bi-xenons, aluminium roof rails, extra chrome, leather flat-bottomed steering wheel, comfort seats and splashes of aluminium trim and stainless steel pedals.