The all new Jaguar XF Sportbrake - the ultimate estate you can buy, and a beautiful looker too !

Dynamic new estate revealed as Jaguar celebrates a decade of XF production

• Sports car dynamics, sports car looks and a 1,700-litre load space
• All-wheel drive and All-Surface Progress Control keep you safe whatever the weather 
• Cabin Air Ionisation gives you and your family clean air
• Gesture Control lets you operate the panoramic sun blind or open the boot when your arms are full of kit
• Super-sized panoramic roof floods the interior with light
• Forget the keyring and swim, surf, cycle or run with an activity key 
• Two-tonne towing capacity lets you take the trailer, boat, jet ski or horse box 
• Choose from a range of clean and efficient Ingenium petrol and diesel engines

Jaguar's dynamic new estate has been revealed by world tennis number one Andy Murray. The two-time Wimbledon champion pulled the covers off the new Jaguar XF Sportbrake before placing his precious Wimbledon trophy inside and sending it on a UK-wide tour to inspire the next generation of players.

Jaguar is the Official Car Partner of The Wimbledon Championships and to celebrate the relationship the premium estate was revealed on a replica Centre Court.

 “Winning my first major title ten years ago was an amazing moment for me; the culmination of everything I'd worked for my whole life. I feel very lucky to have got to where I am today and hope that anyone passionate about tennis gets the opportunity to play and improve.

"Letting go of the trophy will be difficult, but there's no better vehicle than the Jaguar XF Sportbrake to take it on this UK tour. I'm pleased that people are going to be able to get up close to the trophy when it visits schools and tennis clubs, and hopefully it might encourage people to pick up a racket this Summer.”

Andy Murray, world tennis number one

The XF Sportbrake joins Jaguar's award-winning XF saloon in its tenth year of production. The XF was launched in 2007 and has now claimed almost 200 global awards. The saloon’s new Sportbrake sibling delivers equally impressive performance, design and technology, with greater practicality and space. 

With sports car-derived handling, a practical 565-litre load space and advanced convenience and safety features, the XF Sportbrake has the best of Jaguar design and technology. It also delivers impressive aerodynamic efficiency of Cd 0.29.

"The iconic Jaguar posters of the 1950s promised customers grace, pace and space. The XF Sportbrake re-imagines this offer for 21st-century active families, with stunning looks, sports car performance and a load space fit for active lifestyles."

Ian Callum, Jaguar Director of Design

Innovations include an intuitive gesture-controlled sunblind for the Sportbrake's super-sized, full-length, panoramic roof, Driver Condition Monitoring to detect signs of tiredness after an active day and a waterproof Activity Key you can wear while playing sport. Customers can also specify Cabin Air Ionisation, which purifies air to provide protection against environmental pollution and promote health and wellbeing.

Self-levelling rear suspension ensures an effortless ride, even when towing loads of 2,000kg. The XF Sportbrake is available with Jaguar’s advanced range of clean and efficient four-cylinder Ingenium petrol and diesel engines with CO2 emissions as low as 118g/km.

“As with the XF saloon, every line on the Sportbrake serves a clear purpose, creating a fast, sweeping silhouette. This gives the car a sense of speed and a very dynamic appearance. As a result, I think it looks just as sporty as the saloon, if not more so.”

Ian Callum, Jaguar Director of Design

After helping to introduce the XF Sportbrake, Andy Murray warmed up for Wimbledon with a light-hearted celebrity doubles match on a pop-up court. Murray and coach Jamie Delgado faced comedians Rob Brydon and Jimmy Carr in a contest streamed live online, with commentary by Tim Henman.

Jaguar is entering its third season as Official Car Partner to The Championships at Wimbledon, which runs from Monday 3 July to Sunday 16 July. Jaguar will supply 170 vehicles from its award-winning range, including the XE, XF, XJ and F-PACE.

To help inspire the next generation of tennis talents, Jaguar is doing something that has never been done before in the history of the Wimbledon Championship, and is taking the famous men’s singles trophy on a nationwide tour of clubs and schools. As Andy Murray counts down to the defence of his Wimbledon title later this month, the gilt cup will be chauffeured between venues in an XF Sportbrake.

The XF is manufactured at Jaguar Land Rover's Castle Bromwich Plant alongside the XE, XJ and F-TYPE. Castle Bromwich is now building six model lines, double that of ten years ago when XF was introduced. Employees who build the new model celebrated by watching the live launch coverage.

A decade of Jaguar XF – ten key moments:

2007 – Launched at Frankfurt Motor Show. First Jaguar saloon designed under Ian Callum
2009 – XFR announced featuring new 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine, 0-60mph 4.7s, 510PS
2011 – New XF 2.2 Diesel, 1,313km, one tank of fuel
2012 – First XF Sportbrake revealed
2013 – 200,000th XF produced
2015 – All-New XF Launched, from 104g CO2, Up to 190kg lighter
2015 – All-New XF achieves Five Star Euro NCAP rating
2016 – All-Wheel Drive Launched globally. Long wheelbase XFL revealed at Beijing Motor Show
2017 – 190 awards won globally to date, Jaguar’s most decorated car
2017 – New XF Sportbrake revealed

Successful in two generations: many titles on international race tracks, Unbroken worldwide demand for GT3 race car

• Successful in two generations: many titles on international race tracks
• Unbroken worldwide demand for GT3 race car
• Audi R8 V10 plus official car at IMSA WeatherTech Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park this weekend

Neckarsulm is delighted: The Audi Sport customer racing team has completed the 200th Audi R8 LMS. Since 2009, the brand with the four rings has been involved in international GT3 racing with a race car for customers and developed a sales and service network around the globe, numerous supporting services and technology offerings.

If all of the 200 Audi R8 LMS cars produced to date were lined up directly behind each other the line would be nearly 10 football fields long; 136 models of the first- generation race car and 64 of its successor launched in 2015 have been delivered by Audi around the world.

“We’re proud of this mark of 200 cars,” says Stephan Winkelmann, Managing Director of quattro GmbH that develops and produces the race car.  “With more than ten manufacturers offering their products, including many premium sports car brands, the GT3 market is fiercely competitive in many countries. The demand shows that both our product and our services are focused on the customer and absolutely competitive.”

To date, both generations combined have won 28 overall championship titles worldwide. In addition, there are 34 class   titles, nine overall victories in 24-hour races, plus four successes in 12-hour competitions.

Chris Reinke, Head of Audi Sport customer racing, says: “When our new model was launched last year, many teams opted for the Audi R8 LMS – and inquiries from many parts of the world continue to be received in large numbers. Our teams and drivers have been battling for victories and championship titles around the globe ever since the new race car’s first full season.”

The 200th Audi R8 LMS was built at the Neckarsulm site in July and goes to Team “Montaplast by Land-Motorsport.” Wolfgang Land’s squad, after six single events, is leading the ADAC GT Masters with Christopher Mies/Connor De Phillippi (D/USA).

Not only teams in Germany and Europe benefit from the services and personal consultancy provided by Audi Sport customer racing. The Melbourne Performance Centre (MPC) in Australia, Audi Sport customer racing Japan, Audi Sport customer racing China and Audi Sport customer racing North America form a global service and sales network.

The chassis of the Audi R8 LMS is produced at the “Böllinger Höfe” site on the same manufacturing lines as the Audi R8 production model. There is a close kinship between the two sports cars as the race car uses 50 percent of the components and component assemblies of the production model, including the near-unchanged V10 FSI engine.

The Audi R8 V10 plus will be the official car at the Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park this weekend. 

Mercedes-Benz extends it's sponsorship of the world's oldest Golf tournament as The Open gets ready for play.

Mercedes-Benz has announced a multi-year renewal with The R&A to continue as Official Car and Official Patron of The Open, extending a partnership with the world’s oldest and most innovative golf Championship which celebrates its 145^th staging this week at Royal Troon.

“Mercedes-Benz is proud of its association with golf’s oldest and most innovative Championship as we prepare for The 145^th Open this year. We are excited to continue our integral role as Official Car and Official Patron of The Open and looking forward for more years to come,” said Dr Jens Thiemer, Vice President Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said: “Mercedes-Benz continues to be at the forefront of sport, through its innovative relationships, products and ambassadors. The R&A is proud to renew its association with Mercedes-Benz, and we look forward to continuing to work together to enhance The Open and to strengthen and promote the game of golf.”

Mercedes-Benz brand ambassadors at The Open

This year’s field will once again feature several Mercedes-Benz brand ambassadors, including two-time Major winner Martin Kaymer, newcomers to The Open, Emiliano Grillo and Fabian Gomez, as well as recently signed global brand ambassador, Rickie Fowler. 

Mercedes-Benz brand ambassadors will each drive the dynamic and assertive GLE 250 AMG Line during tournament week.

Mercedes-Benz as Official Car and Official Patron

More than 100 Mercedes-Benz vehicles will make up a luxury fleet to transport players, caddies, families and VIPs to and from the venue in Troon, as well as all on-course evacuation vehicles. 

Golf fans will be able to get a first-hand look at some of their favourite models in the Mercedes-Benz Exhibition Centre, located in the Spectator Village. 

The Mercedes-Benz dream cars collection, including the S-Class Cabriolet, the SLC, the C-Class Cabriolet and the SL, will all be on show. There will also be a surprise addition: 

The Mercedes-Benz Style Edition Garia Golf Car that will have its world premiere tomorrow afternoon at The Open. You can follow the world premiere live on 12 July from 4.15 pm GMT at Facebook.com/MercedesBenz

Digital content for The Open fans

This year’s Championship will see new additions to the multifaceted collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and The R&A, including exclusive digital content for The Open fans. 

This will include a highlight video of the Mercedes-Benz Customer Care Q&A with Mercedes-Benz brand ambassadors Martin Kaymer and Rickie Fowler on TheOpen.com on Thursday evening; an exclusive competition through TheOpen.com and The Open App to win a Mercedes-Benz courtesy car transfer to Royal Troon; and daily player interviews brought by Mercedes-Benz and broadcast on TheOpen.com. 

Additionally, brand ambassador Bernhard Langer will explain holes 6, 7 and 8, the famous Postage Stamp, as a voiceover on TheOpen.com as well as during the live coverage on Sky. 

Throughout The Open, golf and automotive fans can access a wide range of exclusive video content at

Facebook.com/MercedesBenzGolf 

and 

YouTube.com/MercedesBenzTV, 

plus behind-the-scenes images at

Instagram.com/MercedesBenzGolf. 

Fans can also join the conversation across social media channels using the hashtags #PerfectDrive, #MBGolf and #ModernGolf.

Drive to the Major

Mercedes-Benz’ drive in golf reaches beyond the professional game, with Mercedes-Benz customers from more than 25 countries around the world taking part in the ‘Drive to the Major’ as part of the MercedesTrophy. During The Open week, qualifying golfers will battle it out for a place to play on the Royal Troon course following the Championship.

Mercedes-Benz has been active in the sport of professional golf since the 1980’s. Between 2008 and 2013, Mercedes-Benz was the ‘International Partner’ of the most prestigious golf tournament in the world, the Masters in Augusta, and since 2014 Mercedes-Benz is one of the three ‘Global Sponsors’ of the Masters. 

As a result of its partnership with the PGA of America, the brand with the three-pointed star has been the ‘Official Vehicle’ and ’Official Patron’ of the PGA Championship, the Senior PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup when it is held in the United States since 2009. 

In 2011, through a partnership with The Open, Mercedes-Benz further expanded its golf activities to become an ‘Official Car’ and ’Official Patron’ of the oldest but most innovative golf Championship in the world. Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz supports a wide variety of amateur and professional tournaments at the national level.

FIVE Million and still going great guns, that will be the SEAT Ibiza - HAPPY BIRTHDAY

• Paris Motor Show is the backdrop for 30^th anniversary of SEAT’s most iconic model 
• The first ever Ibiza was unveiled in 1984 at Paris Motor Show 

SEAT’s Martorell plant in Barcelona, Spain, is celebrating the production of the 5 millionth Ibiza. The Spanish Brand reached the milestone on the iconic model’s 30^th anniversary.

Employees on the production line of the best-selling car celebrated with SEAT Executive Committee Chairman Jürgen Stackmann, Vice-President for Production Dr. Andreas Tostmann, Head of Martorell Production Plant Stefan Loth, Mercedes Álvarez, SEAT Ibiza Product Management and Works Committee Chairman Matías Carnero.

This week SEAT will celebrate the 30 anniversary of its iconic Ibiza at the Paris Motor Show, which is where the first-ever Ibiza was unveiled to the world three decades ago. The Spanish Brand will also unveil the Leon X-PERIENCE, the brand’s most adventurous version of its compact car.

Since its launch in 1984, the SEAT Ibiza has become the best-selling and most-exported Spanish passenger car. Seventy per cent of those 5 million cars (about 3.5 million) have been sold outside Spain in more than 75 countries where the company has a presence. Italy, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Portugal and Mexico have proved to be the most important markets for the best-selling car in SEAT’s history.

Esther García Castellanos, a member of the SEAT Ibiza production team for more than a decade, said: “SEAT has always been a part of my life. My father was an employee at the SEAT plant in the Zona Franca, and this is the company that has given me the opportunity to get ahead in my career. I have always worked on the Ibiza production line. For me, reaching the figure of 5 million cars produced is the result of the passion we put in every day, the motivation of the personnel and positive proof of a job well done.”

Did you know that…?

• 700 SEAT Ibiza leave the Martorell plant every day
• It employs around 1,600 people
• Around 700 robots contribute to the success of the SEAT Ibiza
• A SEAT Ibiza covers around 12 km throughout its production process
• 5 million SEAT Ibiza placed end-to-end would stretch almost 19,300 km, the distance between Martorell and Auckland in New Zealand
• The 5 million units have consumed a total of 70 million kilograms of paint
• The SEAT Ibiza with female touches:
  • The first SEAT to open the door to women on the production line
  • Women account for 21% of the production line
  • Two pop icons, Shakira and Katy Perry, have provided the music for the best-selling car’s advertising spots
• The approximate price of the SEAT Ibiza in 1984 was 825,000 pesetas (4,950€). This is the equivalent of 15,620€ at today’s prices
• The SEAT Ibiza was the official car at the Barcelona Olympic Games 1992