Jaguar unveiled a mildly tweaked 2008 S-Type at the Bologna Motor Show today to what we imagine could only be a reaction of complete indifference. As we reported earlier, the S-Type’s replacement will be called the XF and be a much better car in every way compared to its predecessor, which makes a refreshened S-Type for 2008 a big snore. The changs for 2008 include disseminating the racier S-Type R’s bumper and mesh grille across the entire range, as well as what appear to be smoked lenses for the headlights. Continue reading 2008 Jaguar S-Type debuts with mild tweaks
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An anonymous tipper has just informed us that Hertz will be auctioning off a large batch of its very exclusive rental car, the Shelby Mustang GT-H, to Ford dealers from Thursday, December 7th through December 21st. If we understand our source correctly, six auctions will occur around the country beginning in Manheim, PA, then moving to Hayward, CA; Denver, Colorado; Atlanta, Georgia; Fontanca, CA; and finally back to Manheim, PA. 113 models of the Shelby GT-H, all used as rental cars, will be auctioned off in total, with each auction getting 15 – 20 units to sell. 
Ahhh, 80s week. We’ve already seen one of our favorite Germans and a blocky Japanese classic. Today, we take a virtual road trip up to New Hampshire for a little Scandinavian treat. Patrick’s 1987 Saab 900 Convertible was bought four years ago for a reasonable-sounding $1,800. At the time, he says, the car was junkyard material. Luckily for the ragtop Saab, Patrick (a.k.a. Flickr user smackdownsaab), was prepared to give it the TLC and financial support needed to bring it up to daily-driver standards. We’d say that things worked out quite well. 
GM, in what can only be termed as a smart move, has killed plans to redesign its minivan lineup for the 2009 model year. Like Ford, which axed the slow-selling Windstar, GM will euthanize it’s rather awful minivan lineup, meaning that we won’t have the Chevy Uplander, and Buick Terraza around to use as punchlines anymore. Instead, GM will focus on its new full-size crossovers that feature 3-row seating — the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave. 
During the past 10 years, the Canadian automobile insurance industry’s underwriting results have changed dramatically as reflected by the significant variations in the direct loss ratio according to a special report by A.M. Best Co. From 1996 to 1998, the industry direct loss ratio remained flat at around 75. Premiums did not grow and claims incurred remained steady. 
HUMMER is going down under. GM Holden Executive Director Sales, Marketing and Aftersales (say that ten times fast), Alan Batey, just made the announcement at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. After announcing 16 other new models that will be arriving for 2007 and beyond, Holden pulled back a huge curtain to give Australians their first glimpse of the HUMMER H3. 
John Cooper Works is the British tuning garage that created the original ’61 Mini Cooper as a sportier version of the base model. So when BMW revived the MINI, they turned to the same garage, now headed by the founder’s son Mike, to create a hotter new MINI. And with the release of the newer new MINI, John Cooper Works has come out with a series of enhancements to make the hot little hatch even hotter. 
The weekly New York Times Automobile section is always a good read, with articles written by people who clearly like cars, and topics that you just don’t often find in the buff mags. Take this week’s gem, a piece by Peggy Minnis on her daughter’s search for a new vehicle. Now, you may be thinking that car shopping isn’t exactly the most newsworthy topic, and for the most part, you’re right. The Times piece has an angle, though. 
The French are known for their fine food, fine wine and as we’ve just seen this past week, their fine automobiles. But nary a vehicle we passed at the 2006 Paris Motor Show stood on that turntable alone; each was accompanied by an equally fine female accent. We would never dream of objectifyng those born without a Y chromosome,
Beyond its unique livery, the GT3 RS is distinguished from the GT3 on which it’s based by broader rear flanks and reduced weight, further distilling the driving experience to that of a racing car, but one which meets all the requirements for street-legal sports cars. This purist’s variant of the 911 GT3—a model particularly well-suited for track outings—will arrive in time for spring 2007. 
Å koda Auto’s new concept car – the Å koda Joyster – is having a world premiere at the Paris International Motor Show. Shaped very dynamically, this leisure-time three-door front-wheel-drive compact vehicle is mainly targeted at young people. On top of its fresh-looking design, the vehicle offers a high degree of comfort and smart modern communication solutions.