JAGUAR'S COUPE, the XK, has a higher luxury specification for 2012 and includes a new top-of-the-range XKR-S with performance described as "formidable" for a Grand Tourer coupe and convertible.

In Portfolio specification the XKR-S has new soft-grain leather upholstery, heated and cooled seats, heated steering wheel, a suede headlining and an 8-speaker Bowers and Wilkins 525 watts sound system as standard.

The latest XK, in all its derivations, is recognisable by its thinner Xenon headlights and LED running lights and turn signals. There is a larger grille and new front bumper.

There are five new paints in the 17 colour range and the choice of 11 different alloy wheels from 19 to 20 inches diameter.

The Portfolio coupe and convertible models are available for $175,000 and $190,000 respectively. Apart from the new features detailed above, these have adaptive dynamic suspension, sequential shift with steering column paddles for the 6-speed automatic transmission behind the 283 kWs five litre V8.

The XKR comes with a supercharged version of the V8 motor producing 375kW and 625Nm torque. Added features include an active differential, 'R' performance brakes, quad tail pipes and the 'R' exterior. These will sell for $195,000 and $210,000 for coupe and convertible respectively.

The range topping XKR-S has been awarded '2011 Sports Car of the Year' by the respected German motoring magazine, Auto Bild Sportscars, following a poll of 70,000 readers.

Its 5L supercharged V8 engine produces 412kW and 680Nm, giving it 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds. Top speed is 300km/h.

The cars have aluminium body shells for better economy, agility and performance.

RENAULT IS storming the globe, selling 2,722,062 vehicles worldwide in 2011 (increase of 94,697 or 3.6% over 2010) and claiming "true worldwide brand" status.

Helping dairying women along their journeys toward developing dairy businesses in the face of challenges is one of the main themes of this year's Dairy Womens Network annual conference.

The expertise of Lower North Island dairy farmers has been used to create a series of fact sheets to help farmers nationwide build and maintain the riparian margins of streams on their land.

"Pasture management is where the farming system starts," says Morrinsville dairy farmer Johan van Ras. In the order of things it comes before animal health because if you haven't got this right, your business can't perform.

A new "good clean dairying" promotion will feature at this month's Effluent Expo at Mystery Creek, being organised by Waikato Regional Council and sponsored by DairyNZ.

Fonterra farmers want the co-op to get on with TAF (trading among farmers), says chairman Henry van der Heyden.

Judging has begun to select the winners in the 2012 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards from the record 525 entrants.

Despite good levels of rainfall throughout the region, dairy farmers in South Otago and Southland are still managing difficult dry conditions.

A daily dose of skimmed milk, enriched with two value-add ingredients naturally found in dairy products, may reduce the frequency and intensity of gout flares

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