2010 Jaguar XJL

2009-10-11T05:42:00.000-07:00

Each Neiman Marcus car starts with a long-wheelbase XJL model fitted with the 470 hp, 5.0-liter V-8 underhood. Special touches include an exclusive “Celestial Black” metallic paint, bespoke 20-inch, 10-spoke wheels, Zebrano wood accents inside the interior, and ivory leather seating with navy piping. A requisite dash plaque displays the car’s serial number, and a set of matching navy luggage is included.

Of course, stuffing one of these into your stocking -- or garage, if you’d rather -- won’t come cheaply. Each Neiman Marcus XJL will run you approximately $105,000, and orders will be accepted beginning on October 16. Of course, if a Jag isn't to your taste, Neiman Marcus also offers an electric “Cupcake Car” for $25,000…

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2009-07-06T09:09:00.000-07:00

Profile : Jaguar Company

2009-07-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

Though established in 1935, the now Jaguar Car Company was originally the name of a car developed by the Swallow Sidecar Company in 1922. Founders William Lyons and William Walmsley would later rename the company.

Jaguar bought the Daimler car company in 1960 and, later, merged with the British Motor Corporation (BMC). The British government later separated it from British in 1984 where it was purchased shortly afterwards by Ford Motor Co. Ford would add the marque to its Premier Automotive Group (PAG) which was composed of Aston Martin, Land Rover, and Volvo. For a time, Lincoln was part of PAG but was removed in the early 2000s. Aston Martin was later sold to a consortium led by Prodrive.

Jaguars are known for two things: sporty luxury and reliablity (or lack of). It developed the former in the 1950s with a string of beautiful cars and wins at the Le Mans. The Seventies and Eighties were not kind to the brand, with Jaguars suffering notorious electrical issues.

Ford's ownership, though, and the subsequent funds had improved Jaguar reliability dramatically. In 1999, Jaguar brought back the S-Type, a retro remake of its 1964 sedan. A couple of years later, the all-new X-Type debuted. Based on the European Ford Mondeo, the small sedan was aimed as a competitor of the BMW 3-Series.

The brand has yet to develop a profit for its parent company. In late 2006, rumors were rampant that Ford planned to sell the marque. Instead, the U.S. automake sold Aston Martin, making way for Jaguar to move upscale in the PAG ladder. The all-new XK coupe and, later, convertible, have many analysts wondering if Jaguar has finally landed on its feet. The C-XF Concept, which may replace the S-Type, has also generated high hopes for the brand as well.

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2010 Jaguar XJL

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Profile : Jaguar Company