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Audi, Jag, Kia and Tesla top Strategic Vision 2014 Total Quality Index

A couple weeks ago, J.D. Power released its latest Initial Quality Study, which gave high marks to Porsche, Hyundai and General Motors, with the latter earning more individual IQS awards than any other manufacturer. Now, it's Strategic Vision's turn, and it's doling out its praise not to Porsche, but to Tesla, which wasn't even included in the JD Power IQS.
The Model S was named the best vehicle overall in total quality, while Porsche's corporate brother and endurance-racing rival, Audi, was named the best premium brand, alongside Jaguar. Strategic Vision cited the Q5 and the ancient Q7 for individual segment awards, as well as the A5, which was a mere point off the top of its segment. SV also handed out compliments for the Audi's interior work. The win for the German brand is a nice improvement over its IQS score, with which it landed above the industry average, but solidly mid-pack.
Jaguar was without a segment winner, although SV did say that the Indian-owned English brand had a number of vehicles very near the top of their segments. This is the second significant win for Jag in two weeks, after it finished second overall on the JD Power IQS a few weeks ago.

Jaguar XE bares its claws in 74 images [w/video]

The XE may prove to be the most vital new model to Jaguar's expansion. But to date we've only really seen it in top-spec, supercharged XE S form. That ends right here and now, however, as Jaguar releases details, photos and even a brief video clip showing the entire range - including those most customers are bound to buy.
Globally speaking - or at least in its home market - Jaguar will offer the XE with five different engines and in four different trim levels. The new Ingenium engine family includes two diesels and two turbocharged gasoline options along with the top-of-the-line supercharged V6 that will serve as the XE's performance flagship model, at least until a new SVR version comes along. Both six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic transmissions are on offer, and overseas buyers will also be able to choose between base SE, mid-range Prestige, opulent Portfolio, dynamic R-Sport and range-topping S trim levels.
Of course not every engine is available in each trim level and with either transmission, so instead of 40 combinations we're looking at 22. Once the XE reaches American showrooms, we'll likely be looking at even fewer, as we're not expecting the manual and diesel versions to be offered Stateside. Stay tuned as well for our live impressions from the floor of the Paris Motor Show. But in the meantime you can scope out all the details and UK specifications in the press release below, along with the short video and the gallery of 74 high-resolution images above.

Jaguar XF gets performance-look R-Sport trim

If you're looking for all the style of a sports sedan but without the added expense of springing for a full-on performance model (and keeping it fed with fuel and fresh tires), most European automakers will gladly hook you up with an all-show, no-go package. BMW has its M-Sport aero kits, Audi its S-Line, and Mercedes its AMG Sport packs. And now Jaguar is getting in on the action with the launch of the new R-Sport line.
Set to be introduced on the XF at the Geneva Motor Show, the R-Sport trim at least some of the flash of the XFR or XFR-S but with a more economical engine and a relatively accessible price of entry. (This is, after all, still a Jag.) The XF R-Sport is distinguished by a sportier front bumper, side sills, rear spoiler, 17-inch wheels and unique badging to set it apart from any "ordinary" Jaguar XF. The interior is upgraded as well, and there's an optional black styling pack to take things even further.
Jaguar is offering the XF R-Sport in either sedan or wagon form with the 2.2-liter turbodiesel producing 161 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, fitted with a spot-start system to make it a far more frugal option than the 5.0-liter supercharged V8 in the real deal. Although this version won't be coming to US as you see it here, Jaguar tells Autoblog it's always possible it'll produce a similar aesthetic treatment for the North American market - just don't count on such models arriving under diesel motivation. We'll take a closer look at them in Geneva next week, but for now, you can check out the gallery and press release below for an idea of what to expect.