Reviewers were universal in their love of the new
XF’s exterior and interior styling.
Edmunds.com credits its “crouching stance” and “coupelike roof,” that taper into a fastback-style tail, but thought the nose was “somewhat quirky.” Though both Edmunds.com and Automobile comment on the XF’s passing resemblance to the LexusGS series, Automobile thought that gave the new Jaguar a little less “drama than you’d expect...nice but not stunning.” Without the Jaguar hood ornament, they think, you wouldn’t know which company built the new XF. Kelley Blue Book felt the “unorthodox” look has a “sleek, flowing profile.”
From the rear, the high-mounted LED taillamps looked familiar to an Aston Martin, Cars.com said. Motor Trend sums up the exterior critiques by saying, “Make no styling judgments until you've seen the XF in person...in the metal the XF radiates a modernity and sexiness that simply don't translate to the printed page.”
Inside, Automobile thinks “the XF's interior really scores,” and that “the cabin overflows with neat details, such as the gear shifter, covered HVAC vents that rotate to open, a start button that pulses red when you enter the car, and blue lighting around the instruments and dials.” The tech mavens at C/Net were “most impressed by the dashboard components,” like that clever shifter dial that reminds TheCarConnection.com’s editors of a high-end audio system. It’s the combination of “traditional cues with contemporary touches,” in Cars.com’s words, that gives this new Jaguar an ambience completely different from the larger XJ sedan--and from any Jaguar before it.
TheCarConnection.com’s car experts think the 2009 Jaguar XF is without question the most attractive car Jaguar has accomplished in decades. There's nothing heavy-handed or retro about the look. Quite the contrary--it is an extraordinarily modern interpretation that traditional luxury benchmarks like Audi should note well.
read more at CarConnection
The boss is back – and it’s back with a vengeance. Meet the 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 – said to be the quickest, best-handling straight-production Mustang ever offered by Ford, based on the strong foundation provided by the 2011 Mustang GT. The model has been upgraded in nearly every aspect including engine output, brakes, suspension, interior and exterior all examined to optimize weight, aerodynamics and track performance.
The decision to build a modern Boss was not entered into lightly,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “The entire team at Ford felt the time was right and with the right ingredients, the world-class 2011 Mustang could support a successful, race-bred, worthy successor to the original Boss 302. For us that meant a production Mustang that could top one of the world”s best ““ the 2010 BMW M3 ““ in lap times at Laguna Seca. We met our expectations.”
To celebrate the victory and the racing heritage, Ford will offer a limited number of Boss 302 Laguna Seca models for those interested in more on-track driving. The 302 Laguna Seca has increased body stiffness, a firmer chassis set-up and an aerodynamics package carried over almost in its entirety from the Ford Racing Boss 302R.
So what’s under the hood? The 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 uses the same 5.0L V8 from the 2011 GT but to achieve the high-rpm horsepower to make it competitive on the track, Ford added a new intake, revised camshafts and a more aggressive control calibration. All that results in 440-hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. Power is transmitted to the wheels through a race inspired short-throw, close-ratio six-speed manual transmission handles gear change duties.
