With ever-tightening fuel economy regulations looming, Jaguar has announced plans to introduce a pair of smaller and more efficient but impressively potent engines to its vehicle families. In addition to forced-induction intake systems, both the supercharged 3.0-liter V6 and turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four will feature a full complement of high-tech touches including direct fuel injection and variable valve timing. Each will be backed by a Jaguar-tuned ZF 8-speed automatic transmission and the V6 will also be fitted with Jaguar’s Intelligent Start-Stop System.
Sharing a good deal of common architecture with Jag’s current all-aluminum 5.0-liter AJ-V8, the new supercharged 3.0-liter AJ-V6 has an even higher (10.5 vs 9.5:1) compression ratio and is fitted with a new generation of Bosch engine management software. It will be available in two different output levels. The top-gun version, to be offered exclusively in Jaguar’s new F-Type Roadster that’s set to launch next year, will be turned to make 375 horsepower. The baseline variant, rated at 335 horses, will see initial duty in the XK and XF Series starting later this year.
Jaguar’s new 2.0-liter turbo four is a variation on the engine used in the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque. Benefitting from various friction-reducing coatings on its internal components, the engine delivers 237 horses and will be used in some markets as the replacement for the naturally aspirated 3.0 -liter AJ-V6 in Jaguar’s XJ and XK Series cars.
Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director, Jaguar Cars, said, "Jaguar currently has its strongest range of products for several decades. Our continued growth is dependent on two things; activating the awareness of the brand, and expanding our range to enable us to access new customers in both existing and emerging markets. The introduction of these two additional forced-induction engines is integral to this ambitious plan."
