Don't call it a bailout. The European Union has agreed to fund a £307 million loan to the newly minted Jaguar Land Rover conglomeration, known as JLR by those on the inside -- like
Tata who owns it. However, unlike the US's rather open-ended (and dire-looking) cash infusions,
this offer was made specifically to help the company up its eco-cred. JLR pledges to start with a so-called "Limo Green" version of the next generation XJ luxury sedan (that's the current, decidedly dark one pictured above). The model will use a Volt-like series hybrid drive train, in which the electric motor (or motors) powers the wheels and an onboard gasoline engine serves only to recharge on the go, a combination that should deliver 57 mpg -- three times the current machine's 19 mpg combined figure. The only question now is whether this future-Jag will still smell like leather and tweed smoking jackets, or will the whole thing reek of ozone and patchouli.
[Via
GM-VOLT]
posted Apr 13th 2009 7:06AM
Wow, didn't realise the XJ looked like that now. To be honest, it's still not really my sorta car although if they went and made a hybrid XF I'd have a new reason to live. Not that I'll ever realistically be able to afford one.
seriously, its time they improved upon the 1998 design
Yea, that new grille treatment looks like ass. Like Audi/Volkswagen.
agree with the XF
fugly car, the tesla is way cooler
Wow... a Tesla over a Jag... that's a new one.
The Tesla is essentially an Electrified Lotus.
Jags have the worst depreciation on the planet..
i.e. 2003 XJ's run about $5,500 to $6,000, incidentally, about the same as what you'd pay for a 2005 Honda Accord in the same condition
http://motors.shop.ebay.com/Cars-Trucks__W0QQ_nkwZ2005Q20accordQQ_catrefZ1QQ_dmptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQQ_sacatZ6001QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em282?_rdc=1
http://motors.shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQ_dmptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories?_nkw=2003+xj&_sacat=6001&_trksid=p4506.m270.l1313&_odkw=2005+accord&_osacat=__6001
are you high?
actually you will be paying around 12k+ for both of those cars. The bad deprecation of the Jags went out the window after the XF and the number 1 reliability rating in the industry. Either way there are deals to be had on older Jags. For 12K you could have a Honda or a Jag it's your choice. I have driven both and they are both a good car.(guess which one I would choose?)
Pointless. They already have a Jag XJ diesel that does that kind of mileage, and a good diesel engine is much nicer to drive than a hybrid.
Oh right, it's about the eco-idiots, not the eco-nomy.
The diesel has less parts and components to ship from around the world and chemicals to make the battery. This, like the pyrus, is just a feel good product. A token gesture.
And a well-maintained diesel engine will last forever, while those batteries are going to die around the same mileage no matter what you do.
Shallow left-wing thinking at its best.
If its like a Volt, then this has the potential of using no fuel whatsoever on days that you travel less than the batteries range. A diesel will always use fuel not mater how short or long the trip.
Also keep in mind that for the same amount of energy output, an internal combustion engine will produce more electrical energy (as a generator) than kinetic energy for moving a car. The power grid is running 24/7 and producing electricity 24/7, an ice in a car is running at all times the car is on but its not always moving.
Another thing, electrical motors require almost no maintenance whatsoever. The batteries may need recycling every 10 years (could be less) but that can be done locally, how does that compare to having to change the oil (I know the hybrid needs oil for the engine, but its much less oil and due to the lower usage less oil changes through out the year) and brake pads (regenerative braking does most of the work) for 10 years.
You limies have the Diesel, us Yanks don't get diesel versions offered to us with the exception of Trucks, VW, and every decade or so Mercedes will sell a diesel model here. But that's about it.
Me no likey.
Why? There's no screaming demand by consumers for a hybrid vehicle, nor a fully electric one. Especially a Jag. I personally think we need to get off gasoline -- but I'm not buying into an alt-fuel vehicle until the costs are low, performance is on par with gas, and refueling (recharging) is as simple and quick as gasoline. And neither is any significant portion of buyers. We all want to think we're oh-so environmentally friendly. But we (and the automakers) need to look at our true nature before any real progress in development can be made.
Well if anybody is gonna make a true green luxury car it will be Jag. They have the most advanced aluminum unibody construction in the industry. That XJ will actually already get 30+ MPG on the highway, phenomenal for a 300 bhp luxury car in the largest class. Jaguar has the best diesel engines in the industry. I would not be surprised if they make a hybrid so seamless as to not be noticed by those spending time inside the cabin.(cost is not an issue at this price point) All this on top of the fact that your getting a car with real style and a comfortable controlled ride.(if you have the money) For those that can't appreciate a car like a Jag buy a BMW(poor ride quality and reliability), Toyota(not attached to the road), Honda(poor ride quality and not attached to the road) they all look the same to me.(ugly, case of warts) The XJ has always been a cut above the German luxury cruisers on class alone.(even if it did not match the features) However I am glad to see the XF beating the Germans at there own game.(who knew that you could have a fast luxury car that is ALSO comfortable?!)
I LOVE IT... it's about time Jaguar went back to its classic design roots...
The S-type is styled like a classic Jag, the XJ isnt.
Why are we subsidizing LUXURY CARS?
Because the only people with enough money to buy new cars atm are the luxury car buyers.
Plus with all the rules, regs, and taxes the EU and UK are bringing in on high-litre engines and 4x4s, the manufacturers need a cash injection to kickstart their R&D to make them more efficient.
One thing no one has mentioned. LPG. You can run a normal petrol car on LPG for half the price of petrol so it would make this new Jag XJ do the equivalent of 114MPG (based on fuel cost). The conversion from petrol to LPG involves only a few small componants and you can replace the petrol tank with an LPG/petrol tank. I have a Jag S-Type thats been converted and gets 20MPG on LPG and 22MPG on petrol, but here in the UK LPG is roughly half the price of petrol, and is available all orver the place.
this is better than the tesla.. it looks like an old school bmw.. i like this.
Always been a fan of Jags, but is this really needed?
As mentioned, the XJ6 diesels are incredibly efficient, as deomonstrated on Top Gear's Economy Race to Blackpool (series 12, episode 4).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Gear_Races#Car_vs._Car_vs._Car_.28Economy_Race.29
Bleurgh. Jaguars are damn ugly.
Hybrids are a failure, they cost more than cars that use normal petrol including the maintenance of these harsh batteries.
The Honda FCX Clarity has the right focus on where the future should and will be heading.
It won't smell of leather, tweed, ozone or patchouli...it'll stink of curry and Chicken Tandori. Remember, Jaguar is an Indian company now (not British) ;)...
Wow thats not rascist at all?
The reference to leather and tweed is wool carpet and leather seats. As for it being owned by an Indian company they are not moving the factory to India from what I have heard. In fact the owner himself was educated in Britain. One of the first things he did was visit dealerships across the US and world wide to talk with dealers and owners of the marquee. I dont think Rick Wagoner had been inside a dealership his entire 8 years at GM unless it was some special promo.
BTW my house smells like curry spices pretty regularly. Come on by I will fix you up a plate of chicken. MMMM good.
I love my XJR its an 05 and it pulls 30mpg on the highway all day if it keep it at about 55 to 60 and the ground is flat. Luckily I live in the Mid-West and its pretty flat everywhere for miles and miles. lol As for styling well we all have our opinions I personally like having a car that does not look like every other car out there. Bimmers, Audi, MBZ all look pretty similar heck even a Mitsubishi sedan has a grill that is Audiesque. Inside its comfy and has everythng I need from bluetooth,nav and mp3 interface all as factory options. Then well its a 5 seater 5second car for 0-60 and it sounds great although the supercharger does get thirsty if you stay in it alot. But thats all in the foot.
@ ZeitgeistXIII
Hilarious...only a defensive Jag owner could somehow map a food reference to racism (snicker...chuckle). Just FYI, If it were still British, I'd have been saying it smelled of halitosis and stale chips & brown ale. Bottom line is that Jag/Rover are steamy piles of pooh, and have been for a long time - and no change of ownership, especially to a third-world country with no expertise building cars, is going to change that.
And BTW, curry smells like sweaty feet...so I'll stay far away from your house, thanks.