Is Jaguar Land Rover about to get in to bed with Chery Automobile in China?

Jaguar Land Rover to partner with Chery Automobile Following on from yesterday’s report that Jaguar are upping the ante in India with plans to assemble the Jaguar XF and Range Rover Evoque in Tata’s back garden, we now hear that JLR has agreed a deal with Chery Automotive in China for a joint venture. We reported back in February that sources in China were saying that the most likely partner for Jaguar Land Rover would be Chery Automobile, and reports from China Daily say that things have moved on since February and JLR and Chery have now got as far as seeking government approval for a joint venture. When we had the news back in February about a possible JLR/Chery deal, we asked Jaguar about the reports.

Jaguar C-X16 concept scoops 'Design Concept of the Year' award

The Jaguar C-X16 concept car has won Design Concept Car of the Year at the 2012 Scottish Car of the Year Awards. The two-seater concept – which acted as a teaser for the recently revealed production F-Type model – was first seen last year at the Frankfurt motor show and was designed to indicate Jaguar's future design direction. Collecting the award was Ian Callum, Jaguar's Director of Design, who said, "With the C-X16 concept, we set out to move Jaguar's award-winning design language on to the next generation, creating a car that is the very essence of future Jaguar performance." John Murdoch, association president, declared: "Many of these show stunners don't see the light of day but they are valuable for gauging public reaction to new ideas.

Porsche Boxster E (2011): prototype Boxster EV

Porsche recently rolled out the first of three Boxster E electric vehicles, to take part in the 'Electromobility Region Stuttgart' local government initiative in Germany. The Boxster E is powered by two electric motors, capable of a peak power output of 180kW. Energy is stored in a 29kWh battery pack.  Not with the Boxster E. Three electric Boxsters are being built as part of a programme sponsored by the Baden-Wurttemberg state government (Porsche's home state in Germany) and WRS, the Stuttgart Region Economic Development Corporation.  Porsche's hometown of Stuttgart is one of eight model regions participating in a federal pilot programme sponsored by the Minitsry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs to develop EVs and their supporting infrastructure.  The three Boxster E prototypes will take part in the programme, acting as mobile laboratories for testing EV usage and planning for EVs in urban infrastructure.  CAR's view? We reckon this electric Boxster E is much cooler than your usual EV council van.