[PAULSTS1]

When new 5.0 l v8 comes (i hope it will have more then 380 hp because some rivals already have more power than this) will V8 4.2 l be retired?. I mean Jaguar then will have v8 with 380+ hp and v6 with 240 hp which is not enough and there is too much gap between it.Is there any plans for upgrading V6.
Cadillac should really offer engine with 400+HP in their CTS lineup (something below V).

Hi Asrapid:

The engine equation hasn't been settled and communicated to the press as yet. It was only my speculation that Jaguar was concerned that at the $55K Plus level their car needed more power.

At this point with the fact that Jaguar is leaving FORD's hands and will be going to TATA Heavy Industries, how much of the future enhancements are "set in stone?" Personally I agree with your concern that 380 is easily attainable by various brands of lesser caliber, and that Jaguar releasing it's first all new car in a decade should put its best foot forward (engine).

The CTS is another issue given that it has been well received Cadillac needs to turn it's attention to releasing the other variants promised. Using the LS6 engine seems to work for the V model. I am concerned that the CTS is not fully equipped to fall into the mainstream Cadillac vacuum. The DTS and STS must be replaced and soon. Cadillac cannot afford to stagnate the brand as the personal sized CTS won't woo enough of the big dollar traditional buyers to really make the division highly profitable. I get concerned when a Company doesn't follow its marketing plan, and goes off on a tangent.

With the CAFE and fuel issues in the USA, the only reason to change a V8 engine is if one can be introduced that is better breathing, and more fuel efficient, I sincerely hope this is Jaguars plan.

BTW; if you obtain more information on Jaguars 5.0 replacement engine, please let it be known, there are others considering the XF for purchase.

Thanks,

:drive:

 

[PAULSTS1]

Greetings PAULSTS1,

I like your review and agree with many of your points. From a comparison perspective, I only compared Cadillac's CTS from a style perspective. The Jaguar XF is featured and rides more in segment with the Cadillac STS /STS-V.

There is so much I appreciate about Cadillac's new CTS from a style and design perspective, that at times it overshadows some of the features I have come to appreciate in Cadillac’s STS.

What impresses me most about Jaguar's XF style and design, it is not retro in the least. I was not a huge fan of the S Type style and design when compared to the new XF. This new design language for Jaguar has been needed for years. In my view, it will transform Jaguar into the modern seductive luxury brand that exemplifies Jaguar's feel and textures of materials.

For my taste, Cadillac and Jaguar have taken the lead in style and design in the segment of performance luxury premium mid size sedan and luxury performance sports car. Cadillac's CTS/CTS-V, STS/STS-V, XLR/XLR-V and Jaguar's XF/XF Supercharge, XK/XKR appeal to me the most today. Other luxury brands have some very engaging designs, such as Audi and BMW, but they simply are not as compelling as Cadillac and Jaguar to my eyes.

Cadillac remains my first preference for luxury car purchase, but clearly I now have an alternate in Jaguar.

JLM

Weekend Salutations JLM:
In defense of the Traditional styling of the Jaguar S Type I still like it. It reminds me of one of my favorite college professors, she had a 1962 Jaguar Mark II that she meticulously maintained and when on summer holidays, she would often drive it from Alaska to Terra Del Fuego (for those geographically challenged from the upper most point of North America, to the end of South America (on the Brazilian coast). She loved that car. The interior of the car was maroon leather and white exterior, it had wire spoked wheels. Even though at that time (1970) the car was already almost a decade old it was dignified.
While I am sure by now that you realize I am a Cadillac enthusiast, I am also becoming a nuevo automotive connoisseur, at least in my mind.
Last evening I was privy to a sneak peak of the 2009 Mercedes Benz CLS, and let me assure all, MB isn’t sitting down! For Cadillac to stay in the fight, they will have to really put on the boxing gloves, and be ready for battle.:yup:

:drive:

 

[mgescuro]

The CTS is another issue given that it has been well received Cadillac needs to turn it's attention to releasing the other variants promised. Using the LS6 engine seems to work for the V model. I am concerned that the CTS is not fully equipped to fall into the mainstream Cadillac vacuum. The DTS and STS must be replaced and soon. Cadillac cannot afford to stagnate the brand as the personal sized CTS won't woo enough of the big dollar traditional buyers to really make the division highly profitable. I get concerned when a Company doesn't follow its marketing plan, and goes off on a tangent.

The biggest concern is the fact that Cadillac's line up is in transition again.

I hope Cadillac realizes that they are competing in what is probably the most cutthroat segment of the industry. Customers are far more demanding from their vehicles and customer experience. And thus far, Cadillac has been consistently hit and miss. This is a very dynamic segment, and stagnation spells death.

And if the CLS is as striking as you say it is.... Cadillac will have work to do. And Cadillac's continual "preview" of their future designs, while being slow to market, doesn't do them any favors. I would much prefer to see spyshots of some "unknown vehicle," and the Cadillac to hit the auto show circuit... and then release that fall.

Cadillac really hasn't been on par with Jaguar for prestige. Cadillac is working on restoring its image, but their strategy is meeting with mixed results, and I find myself not agreeing with their product strategy.
Ford loused up Jaguar's product strategy, but before they were sold, Ford managed to fix the fundamental problems that had plagued Jaguar. I firmly believe Jaguar is poised to storm the luxury world. With a new XJ, along with the XF, it can reassert itself as the "5th option" -- over Mercedes, BMW, Audi, and Lexus.

 

[jlmartin99]

Weekend Salutations JLM:
In defense of the Traditional styling of the Jaguar S Type I still like it. It reminds me of one of my favorite college professors, she had a 1962 Jaguar Mark II that she meticulously maintained and when on summer holidays, she would often drive it from Alaska to Terra Del Fuego (for those geographically challenged from the upper most point of North America, to the end of South America (on the Brazilian coast). She loved that car. The interior of the car was maroon leather and white exterior, it had wire spoked wheels. Even though at that time (1970) the car was already almost a decade old it was dignified.
While I am sure by now that you realize I am a Cadillac enthusiast, I am also becoming a nuevo automotive connoisseur, at least in my mind.
Last evening I was privy to a sneak peak of the 2009 Mercedes Benz CLS, and let me assure all, MB isn’t sitting down! For Cadillac to stay in the fight, they will have to really put on the boxing gloves, and be ready for battle.:yup:

:drive:

Hi PAULSTS1,

Yes, Mercedes-Benz's CLS is one of the bright spots from a style and design in my view. However, the refreshed 2009 CLS is very mild in its updates from a style and design perspective when compared to its current model. I do not think is bad thing at all considering how much I enjoy the current design. The CLS 55 AMG was my # 2 high performance sedan with BMW M5 as my third positioned with Cadillac's STS-V remaining my #1 preference. However now I have dropped both BMW's M5 and Mercedes-Benz's CLS 63 AMG from my purchase list and both were replaced by Jaguar’s XF Supercharged and it is all due to new style and design of Jaguar, it is that powerful in my opinion.

In my case, there is an added advantage to my enjoyment of Cadillac and Jaguar's stellar design language, they both offer luxury brand models that meet my requirements Cadillac's STS/STS-V,XLR/XLR-V and Jaguar's XF/XF Supercharged, XK/XKR. That is my current problem with Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Lexus, Audi, Infiniti and Acura. I find some models within their lineup that are somewhat appealing, but the overall style and design theme fall far short of Cadillac and Jaguar in my view.

Jaguar's retro design language has an appeal for the classic Jaguar look and feel and that is a beautiful design, I just prefer the new design language so much more. There are other design themes that meet the level of appeal to me as Cadillac and Jaguar and they are, Aston Martin and Lamborghini. Cadillac, Jaguar, Aston Martin and Lamborghini in that order are my gold standard for style and design. All other luxury or exotic brands simply have a model here and there that are attractive to me. Cadillac is first in terms of style and design today and offers the most complete line of products of all of the brands that meet my requirements today.

JLM