Jaguar News: Jaguar Adding AWD & New Powertrains For US

[William Maley]

Jaguar is looking to increase the number of vehicles they sell in the US. To accomplish this, the company will introduce AWD and introduce a new range of engines.

Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar’s Global Brand Director said the brand is struggling to compete with automakers that offer AWD; especially in the snow belt, where 70% of XF’s class are equipped with AWD. Hallmark says the company has prototypes testing, and he says are discussions to find a solution.

Jaguar is also working on a new range of powertrains.

"We are seen as a V8 brand in the U.S., but the U.S. is downsizing and we need to respond. Within the next two years we will have new engines, V6s and smaller," said Hallmark.

Also in the cards are four-cylinder turbo engines and possibly diesels for the US market. Jaguar is also looking at hybrid powertrains, but Hallmark says this is not a key priority.

"They are a very expensive solution and customers are not willing to pay for it."

For now Jaguar will use hybrids as a way to improve performance.

Source: Inside Line

View full article

[smk4565]

They do need expand what they offer. I love Jaguars and would want mine RWD, with a supercharged V8, but I realize most people don't see it that way. Jaguar has 4 and 6 cylinder diesels already on sale in the UK, that seems to be the easiest solution to certify the engines for U.S. sale. The 4-cylinder is probably too weak for our market, but the diesel V6 could do well.

If/when they do a smaller car and produce a 3.0 liter gas V6, that could be put to use in the XF, but for now the diesel is the quick solution. And a 35 mpg XF that does 0-60 in 6.2 seconds is pretty appealing.

[67impss]

"Also in the cards are four-cylinder turbo engines and possibly diesels for the US market. Jaguar is also looking at hybrid powertrains, but Hallmark says this is not a key priority.

"They are a very expensive solution and customers are not willing to pay for it."

For now Jaguar will use hybrids as a way to improve performance."

Kinda an oxymoron double speak don't cha think