Jaguar Planning Brand New V-6 Engine for XF (and Maybe XJ)

Perhaps you read in this week’s Financial Times that Jaguar is looking at building a new factory for engine construction in the UK. What the company hasn’t said—but thanks to our sources, we can now confirm—is that the added production capacity will allow the Jaguar to begin construction of a brand-new six-cylinder engine. The engine should come to the U.S. in the XF, and possibly even in the XJ.

At present, every Jaguar sold in the U.S. comes with an excellent 5.0-liter V-8 engine. Some are naturally aspirated and make 385 hp, while others are supercharged and produce 475 or 510 ponies. Europeans see more options for their cats: a 2.2-liter diesel four, a 3.0-liter diesel six, and the old Ford-based 3.0-liter V-6. You may remember that last engine from such groaning flops as the Jaguar X-Type 3.0 and the S-Type 3.0. Suffice it to say that the company needs a new gasoline V-6 for the U.S. market and for Europeans who want an engine designed during the current millennium. (Jag also needs all-wheel drive, but that’s not happening any time soon.)

Given that the outgoing lump makes 240 hp, we’d expect Jaguar’s new six-pot to produce significantly more power, something comparable to the 300-plus-hp engines from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi. It seems sensible that this engine would be paired to the eight-speed automatic that the company recently announced would be used in 2.2-liter diesel cars in Europe. We were told our wait for the engine wouldn’t be too long, so we figure that we’ll see it in the 2013 or 2014 model year.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/jaguar-planning-brand-new-v-6-engine-for-xf-and-maybe-xj/

Land Rover’s First Hybrid Coming In 2013, Plug-In Hybrid One Year Later

Land Rover’s ongoing pledge to become more environmentally friendly is starting to result in some interesting developments, with the automaker’s brand director recently confirming the launch of the first Land Rover hybrid in 2013.

Speaking with Inside Line, Land Rover’s John Edwards said the hybrid model would launch in 2013 followed by a plug-in hybrid version in 2014. Both models would be based on the next-generation Range Rover luxury SUV, due in gasoline and diesel variants next year, as part of the automaker’s “top-down” strategy for hybrid vehicles.

You may recall Edwards first hinted at this top-down strategy back in December where he said Land Rover’s larger SUVs would be the first recipients of its hybrid technology as this was where the greatest consumption gains were to be made.

Edwards also explained during his latest interview that Land Rover’s first hybrid would use a gasoline engine, most likely a V-6, as this would be cheaper to produce than a diesel-electric hybrid and would appeal more to buyers in the U.S.--the vehicle’s primary targets.

As for the technology itself, Land Rover is expected to utilize an electric motor and internal combustion engine connected in parallel on a single driveshaft, similar to what we saw on the most recent Range_e hybrid prototype vehicle.

The plug-in hybrid version, due in 2014, will most likely feature a more powerful electric motor and batteries that would be able to carry the big SUV for short distances on electric power alone, possibly up to 40 miles. Owners could then charge up the batteries using a regular household power outlet or the internal combustion engine could fire up, acting as a generator and charging the batteries whilst also driving the vehicle.  

Sadly, the top-down strategy also means there are no immediate plans for a hybrid version of the stylish new Range Rover Evoque.


Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/blog/1058155_land-rovers-first-hybrid-coming-in-2013-plug-in-hybrid-one-year-later