Jaguar’s brand new C-X17 and the new Range Rover Autobiography Black take pride of place for Jaguar Land Rover at the 2013 Dubai Motor Show.
[Not a valid template]The 2013 Dubai Motor Show marked the global debut of the new Range Rover Autobiography Black. Marketed as ‘the pinnacle of the Range Rover line-up’, the new Autobiography Black is the most luxurious Range Rover to go on sale yet. Based on the new fourth generation model, the Autobiography Black incorporates a new seat cushion design as part of its Executive Class luxury package. Also included in the package are black leather clad tables and a new rear entertainment console for the rear passengers, a chiller compartment, LED mood lighting (with a range of 10 colours) and leather wrapped A, B, C and D pillars.
Modifications to the outside are subtle, though the Range Rover Autobiography Black does include new a unique finish to the front grille, black enamel and chrome finish to the ‘Autobiography’ badges on the rear and side panels, re-designed taillights and additional air vents in the front bumper. Two wheel options are available including seven-spoke 21-inch and 22-inch gloss polished alloys, the latter of which will be available from Spring next year onwards.
Jaguar’s new C-X17 concept SUV, which makes its regional event appearance after its global debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, also caused a stir for the British company. The first SUV concept in Jaguar’s 91-year history, the C-X17 concept showcases the most extreme example of Jaguar’s all-new aluminium architecture, a more flexible design approach that will prove key to the British marque when developing its future models (with a mid-size sedan that will rival the BMW 3 Series having already been announced).
Pre-event, crankandpiston.com was lucky enough to drive the Jaguar C-X17, the story of which you will find HERE. At present, no production plans have been confirmed for the SUV concept.
The new Jaguar XJR and XFR-S also made their regional debuts in Dubai, displayed as they were alongside both Project 7 and the company’s popular new F-Type roadster.
Next door at sister company Land Rover, the Gaydon-based team was busy unveiling the world’s first ever nine-speed gearbox, showcased in the 2014MY Range Rover Evoque. The new system – an adaptive shift ZF program – lowers fuel consumption by 11.4 per cent.
The new limited edition Land Rover Defender LXV also made its regional debut in Dubai. Though little has changed mechanically, the LXV – which uses the same 2.2-litre diesel 122hp engine and six-speed manual transmission as the Defender on which it is based – boasts new 16-inchSawtooth alloy wheels and comes in Santorini Black or Fuji White, with contrast Corris Grey roof, grille and headlight surrounds and facia.
The interior boasts exclusive full leather seats with LXV embossed front headrests and unique orange contrast stitching on the seats, steering wheel and centre cubby compartment. The LXV commemorates 65 years of Land Rover in Roman numerals.
The Range Rover Sport which recently set a world record for fastest land crossing of the Empty Quarter between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates was also on display, complete with dust from its 800-plus kilometre journey.
