Jaguar News: Rumorpile: Jaguar Returning To FWD?

[William Maley]

The last time Jaguar did a front wheel drive car, the result was the X-Type sedan and wagon which became one of the least reliable vehicles on the road. Well, Jaguar is giving front wheel a second chance.

According to Autocar, Jaguar is working on a new front wheel drive model for the Chinese, Indian, and US markets. The reason for the FWD plans is due to new CAFE regulations coming down in 2016. The FWD Jaguar would help the automaker meet the 35.5 MPG requirement.

The model would be powered by a new three-cylinder and a range of four-cylinder engines going through eight and nine-speed automatic transmissions. Also, the model will most likely use aluminum throughout the frame and body panels, keeping it’s weight down.

The small Jaguar will be joining a growing group of premium compact-cars which include the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Audi A3 sedan.

The new Jaguar is expected to come out sometime in 2015.

Source: Autocar

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[balthazar]

"premium compact" ~ {snicker!}

Yea- nothing says 'pounce' like a 3-banger.

[Drew Dowdell]

I'm thinking the 3-cylinder is for non-US markets. We'll probably get a range of Ecoboosts 4s

but I dunno... can Cadillac catch up with the Euro leaders in FWD: Jaguar, Audi, Mercedes, and BMW?

[William Maley]

I'm thinking the 3-cylinder is for non-US markets. We'll probably get a range of Ecoboosts 4s

but I dunno... can Cadillac catch up with the Euro leaders in FWD: Jaguar, Audi, Mercedes, and BMW?

Yes, I could EcoBoost 4s and possibly a diesel

[smk4565]

FWD = Booooooooo. They better not go down that road again. They need something smaller and cheaper than the XF, but that should be a rear drive car with a V6, and 4 and 6 cylinder diesel options. The XF 2.2 diesel gets 50 mpg, they don't need crap FWD to hit a CAFE target. And Jaguar sells so few cars, they probably don't even factor in. Hopefully this is just rumor.

[ocnblu]

A sick rumor at that. If they build a Jaguar like that, the leaper would likely jump off a 20-story building.

[Robert Hall]

I'm thinking the 3-cylinder is for non-US markets. We'll probably get a range of Ecoboosts 4s

but I dunno... can Cadillac catch up with the Euro leaders in FWD: Jaguar, Audi, Mercedes, and BMW?

That's where the Spark or Sonic based entry level Caddy will come in...

Edited November 11, 2011 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[Carguy]

BOOO for Jaguar!---Just BOOO!!