2003 Jaguar XK8, XKR

Jaguar will make significant, non-cosmetic changes to its XK8 and XKR sports car lineup for 2003.

As it did with the S-Type sedan line earlier this year, the Ford-owned manufacturer of British luxury cars will put most of its mid-lifecycle development money into mechanical bits.

The big ticket models come as a coupe and a convertible.

Their V8 will grow to 4.2 L from 4.0 and a six-speed automatic transmission arrives. Buyers can also expect enhanced options that focus on safety, comfort and driveability.

Two versions of the V8 are offered: one normally aspirated, the other supercharged. The first delivers 300 hp (formerly 290) and 310 lb-ft of torque, while the second is good for 400 hp (formerly 370) and 408 lb-ft of torque.

For those people who care about such things (and we are legion), the XKR will now do 0-to-100 km in 5.4 seconds, with the regular XK8 requiring 6.4 seconds.

Russ Varney, XK chief program engineer, says the '03 line "benefits from a broad program of improvements," among them: Subtle exterior styling changes, including new xenon headlights and new badging.

Greater mid-range acceleration.

Improved feel and function for Jaguar's J-gate shifter, which will still offer automatic or manual control modes.

Race-bred Brembo brakes, which will be standard on XKR and optional on other models.

Automatic headlights-on and rain-sensitive wiper functions.

Upgraded DVD-based navigation system and electrochromatic mirror with compass.

New exterior colours, including Jaguar Racing Green.

The advanced technology includes Dynamic Stability Control, Emergency Brake Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control.

That last one senses traffic in front of the XK and slows it to maintain a distance pre-determined by the driver.

This option features Forward Alert, an audible driver-warning system that senses and responds to slowing traffic ahead.

Cadillac will not compete in the 24-hour race at Le Mans next year, bringing to an end the company's three-year campaign in the road-racing classic.

The brand had little success at the French race and feels it doesn't have a chance to win until it designs a direct-injection engine.

Cadillac plans to enter other forms of international racing, however, though what exactly that might be has not been announced.

We won't see Cadillac's mighty Cien roadster, which debuted at the Detroit auto show last January, for at least a couple of years, if at all.

Caddy was clearly thinking seriously about the 7.5 L, V12-powered rocket. Company executives visited British specialty firms to look for someone capable of building about 300 units a year of the $300,000, 750-hp car.

And when Cien led the parade lap at the Le Mans 24-hour race in June, Cadillac general manager Mark LaNeve was openly enthusiastic about the car's chances.

Cien (pronounced syen) is Spanish for a hundred.

In the past, when General Motors decided not to go ahead with a concept vehicle, you could immediately take the car to the crusher and the plans to the shredder.

Now it seems GM has a new policy of putting concepts "in turnaround" (as the movie industry puts it). So if market conditions and company resources change, Cien may be resurrected.

BMW has decided to continue one of the most popular media promotions of recent times by making three more instalments of its The Hire Internet film series.

The first five shorts at bmwfilms.com were well received by Web surfers. The luxury car company is hoping for more of the same when the new ones start appearing this October.

John Woo, Tony Scott and John Carnahan are directing the new short films. Clive Owen will return in the role of the Driver.

The original films drew more than 13 million visits to the digital-quality streaming video Web site.

North Americans are usually uninterested in the World Rally Championships, but lately some young people have been changing that.

It seems they became fans of the WRC through its excellent video games that replicate the worldwide action of the series.

But, I'm told, most of the gamers didn't know the action was based on a real sport. They thought it was all a video invention and that the racers (who are modelled on real people) were creations like Lara Croft of Tomb Raider fame.

Alex Law can be reached at AlexCAMS @ aol.com.