Jaguar “EV-Type” Trademarked In Europe, US

Though Jaguar has built some of the most beautiful sports cars ever conceived, their naming nomenclature has always been less than creative. AutoGuide reports that Jaguar has trademarked the “EV-Type” name in both Europe and the U.S., leading to speculation that an all-electric Jaguar is in the works.

The Jaguar E-Type is amongst the most famous classic Jags, and the automaker recently finished building the last six all-aluminum 1960s E-Types ahead of the launch of the Jaguar XE, which hasabout 75% aluminum content itself. Right now the Jaguar F-Type sports car is the only “-Type” in the company’s lineup, though the name was also used in the early 2000s for sedan models (the unremarkable S-Type and X-Type). There’s little indication as to just what the Jaguar EV-Type is in the trademark filings, but it would almost certainly be a pure electric vehicle, rather than a plug-in hybrid.

This coincides with rumors that Jaguar’s corporate sibling Land Rover is developing an electric Range Rover to compete with the upcoming Tesla Model X, though I doubt Jaguar will go the SUV route for its debut EV. A more likely scenario is a competitor for the Model S, which points the way towards either a luxury sedan or sports car like the Jaguar C-X16 hybrid concept, though there’s a more far out possibility as well; the return of the C-X75 concept as an all-electric supercar.

While the turbine-centric drivetrain was ditched in favor of a high-output four-banger, the C-X16 project was eventually shelved as Jaguar focused on the launch of the 75 MPG XE sedan. Obviously the interest in alternative fuels is still there though, and the company recently installed the largest rooftop solar system in the U.K., expanding its commitment to green energy beyond its cars. A Jaguar Land Rover executive was recently quoted as saying he sees a place for electric cars as a second or third vehicle (at least for now), so there’s certainly some interest on the automaker’s part. But just what kind of electric Jaguar would the brand’s customers buy?

For now Jaguar is remaining mum on the subject, though the possibilities are positively titillating. Jaguar has always been one of my “reach” brands filling my dream garage, and the thought of an electric Jaguar to rival the likes of the Tesla Model S is something I can absolutely get behind.

Source: Gas2

Luxury Hybrid Vehicles Will Become “Dominant”

Fuel economy regulations are forcing every automaker to embrace hybrid drivetrains, including luxury marques like Jaguar and Land Rover. One of the top engineers over at the Indian-owned British automakers even went so far as to say that hybrids will be “dominant” among top-tier vehicles in the coming years.

Jaguar Land Rover Engineering chief Wolfgang Ziebart was quoted by Autocar saying that “…hybrid will become the dominant drivetrain among ‘upper class’ models.” Hybrid technology is among the fastest growing segments, as are autonomous vehicles and broader, fuel-saving developments aside from hybrids. All of these segments will drive luxury automakers like Jaguar and Land Rover, which are owned by India’s Tata Motors, and Ziebart expects self-driving hybrids to be a big part of many luxury car fleets.

While Jaguar has toyed with a turbine-hybrid supercar concept and the more production-worthy C-X16 , its production fleet remains reliant on combustion engines (even though they might one dayditch V8s entirely). Land Rover has been a bit more daring, debuting a plug-in diesel hybrid that promises Prius-like fuel economy with Rover reliability. Ziebart is also watching the Tesla Model X closely, and acknowledges an all-electric vehicle might not be a bad idea…outside of Europe. In other words expect more hybrid Jags and Rovers,, because that’s the direction the rest of the luxury market is heading.

From there, the technology is likely to trickle down into “lower class” brands and models, until one day every car we drive is either an EV or hybrid. You know, if the planet doesn’t explode first.

Source: Autocar

Geneva 2013: Electric Land Rover Defender 4×4 Concept

Land Rover’s UK line-up has always been sexier than the leather-stuffed luxo-barges the company sends Stateside, from bare-bones, go-anywhere Defender off-roaders to 40 mpg diesel Range Rovers. The big electric Land Rover Defender concept that’s bowing at this week’s Geneva show, however, might have a better chance to cross the pond than you might think.

If California maintains its ZEV mandate, then Land Rover will pretty much have to bring over an electric something is what I’m getting at.

As for this electric Defender concept, it remains true to its 4-wheel drive roots with a modified version of the company’s Terrain Response System, which the company has been testing under extreme conditions. How extreme? Land Rover says that the electric Land Rover has successfully pulled a 12-ton “road train” up a 13% grade hill in trials, and can wade to a depth of nearly 3′ without putting the electric drive systems in jeopardy – and can do so for nearly 8 (eight!) hours on a single charge!

Antony Harper, Head of Research at Land Rover, said: “This project is acting as a rolling laboratory for Land Rover to assess electric vehicles, even in the most arduous all-terrain conditions. It gives us a chance to evolve and test some of the technologies that may one day be introduced into future Land Rover models.”

Source: Gas2.0

Land Rover says plug-in hybrid Range Rover on the way

Think of it as an SUV for the environmentally conscious gentry.

Land Rover might make a plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle (PHEV) version of its Range Rover as early as 2015, UK's Auto Express reports, citing Jaguar Land Rover Hybrid Technology Chief Engineer Peter Richings.

Land Rover, whose Jaguar affiliate has already produced a PHEV prototype that gets an estimated 73.5 miles per gallon equivalent, is eying the Range Rover as a possible production PHEV because the model's buyers would likely be able to afford the cost of the new technology. Richings said the model would debut sometime between 2015 and 2020.

Land Rover confirmed at its 2013 model unveiling in September that it would get a hybrid variant that would pair a 3.0-liter diesel V6 with an electric motor. That model, which won't be available in the U.S., will have 333 horsepower and 45 miles per gallon (on the more lenient European driving cycle). Land Rover said in April that it may also get an extended-range plug-in variant as early as 2014. Pictured above is the diesel-powered hybrid Range_e concept from the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.




Source: Autoblog Green

Tata Nano Gets Facelift, More Power and Better Fuel Efficiency

We may have unfairly called the Indian-built Tata Nano “unusually combustible” last week, but there’s no denying that the world’s cheapest car is responsible for helping tens of thousands of Indians get behind the wheel of their first car.

Now the diminutive Tata Nano has just undergone its first major revision since its release in 2008, offering an increase of power, more standard features, and a headline-grabbing fuel economy of 59.7 miles per gallon.

More power, higher gas mileage

Just like its predecessor, the upgraded Tata Nano features a simple 0.6 liter rear-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive transmission. But Tata’s engineers have managed to squeeze extra power from the small unit, harnessing 50 horsepower from an engine which previously only produced 46 horsepower.

Torque is up too, increasing from 35.4 ft-pounds to 37 ft-pounds, while the engine’s economy has been improved from 55.51 mpg to an astonishing 59.74 mpg.

Tata Nano Europa at Geneva Auto Show

Admittedly, the tiny Tata Nano weighs 1,322 pounds, but for a car that can carry four adults and costs less than a set of custom wheels for a 2012 Toyota Prius, we have to be impressed.

Simple upgrades

But the upgrades aren’t the kind of things you’d expect in a high-mileage car in the U.S. Instead, simple but practical upgrades -- like the switch from vinyl seats to fabric ones -- are touted as giving customers added luxury from this no-frills car.

For more wealthy customers, the $3,752 Tata Nano LX comes with air conditioning, cup holder, central locking, front power windows, mirrors on both sides of the car, and door handles.

Yes, we did just say door handles.

But why the interest?

2009 tata nano minicar 005

The Tata Nano isn’t a car we’re likely to see being sold in the U.S. For a start, we think it’d struggle to get past the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s tough crash tests. And if Tata managed to reengineer it for the North American market, you can bet both its low, low price and frugal fuel performance would be affected as a consequence of substantial upgrades.

Nevertheless, the Tata nano is an important car. As the largest automaker in India, Tata is a force to be reckoned with. And as owners of the Jaguar Land-Rover group, Tata is already heavily involved with the automotive world outside of India.

If Tata engineers can work their magic on a small, 0.6 litre engine to make it one of the most efficient cars on the market anywhere in the world, it’s only a matter of time before those improvements are used on Tata’s other cars.

Eventually, we can imagine the lessons learnt on the Tata Nano and it’s tiny engine to filter through the whole of the Tata group.

While we think the concept of a 0.6 liter Jaguar or Land-Rover is about as likely as snow in Hawaii, we think it is only a matter of time before Tata Nano-inspired fuel saving makes it into the larger, more prestigious Tata group cars.

Source: Green Car Reports

Land Rover Range_e 4WD diesel plug-in hybrid previews future production powertrains

The Range_e development 4WD diesel PHEV. Click to enlarge.

Land Rover presented its Range_e development model at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this week. This development model features a plug-in hybrid diesel-electric powertrain that Land Rover expects to make available in future production models, following the scheduled launch of its diesel-electric hybrid in 2013.

Range_e is based on the Range Rover Sport and uses the current 245 PS (242 hp, 180 kW) 3.0-liter TDV6 diesel engine, working with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission and a 69 kW electric motor. Using a parallel hybrid system with a 14.2 kW/h lithium-ion battery that can be recharged from an external 240V power source, Range_e can be driven on electric power alone for more than 20 miles.

Range_e has a maximum system output of 339 PS (334 hp, 249 kW) and a top speed of around 120 mph (193 km/h), delivering a fuel economy of 85 mpg UK (71 mpg US, 3.32 L/100km). Overall CO₂ emissions are 89g/km. Improved fuel efficiency from the hybrid system makes 690 miles possible on a full tank of fuel.

Range_e is also engineered with the same full 4WD capability as the standard Range Rover Sport, with high and low range in the transmission, front and rear differentials and a mechanical locking centre differential. Dependant on the driver demand, the car’s intelligent system decides the most efficient method to deliver the power required, whether this is by electric, diesel or both. The Range_e also features regenerative braking to capture energy usually wasted in heat energy via the brakes. This energy can then be redeployed to drive the vehicle, further reducing fossil fuel consumption.

This system is the first example of a premium plug-in hybrid that also provides the full four-wheel-drive capability that you would expect from a Land Rover. It is an evolution of the production intent diesel-electric hybrid technology which will be launched in our next generation of SUVs and will be available for customers within the next two years.

—John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director

The Range_e is one of a number of Land Rover projects supported by the UK Government’s Technology Strategy Board and five prototype models are currently engaged in a test programme with Land Rover’s fellow members of the CABLED (Coventry and Birmingham Low Emissions Demonstrators) consortium.

Pete Richings, Chief Engineer Hybrids, said that they started the Range_e fleet trial in December 2010 and have so far covered 12,000 miles on the trial between the five test vehicles. Jaguar Land Rover is committed to spending £800 million (US$1.3 billion) on environmental technologies and has targeted a 25% reduction in its fleet-average CO₂ emissions between 2008 and 2012.

Source: Green Car Congress

LAND ROVER EXHIBITS IT'S GREENEST MODELS EVER AT THE 2011 GENEVA MOTOR SHOWLAND ROVER EXHIBITS IT'S GREENEST MODELS EVER AT THE 2011 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

• Electric 'Range_e': Land Rover's electric plug in development vehicle showcasing diesel hybrid plug-in technology capable of 89 g/km CO2.

• The new Range Rover Evoque: Coupe and 5-Door with customer personalisation options to be shown for the first time.

• The new Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition: Land Rover's new limited edition Range Rover - the most luxurious ever.

• The 2011 Discovery 4 'Landmark' Limited Editions with Black and White theme: new variants bringing a fresh, more contemporary sense of design to the latest Discovery 4 line-up.

Gaydon, Warwickshire, 16 February 2011 - Land Rover's stand at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show will establish this year as one of the most exciting in the brand's history. A hybrid technology showcase, the new Range Rover Evoque in both coupe and 5-door derivatives, and exciting Discovery 4 and Range Rover Limited Editions complete the line-up

Making its motor show debut is the 'Range_e': Land Rover's diesel hybrid plug-in prototype. The technology-packed 'Range_e' is one of several working prototypes currently being developed at Land Rover's design and engineering centre in the UK.

'Range_e' is based on a Range Rover Sport and features a 3.0-litre TDV6 diesel with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. Matched with a plug-in parallel diesel hybrid system it offers a premium SUV that can run as a pure electric vehicle. The 'Range_e' is the first capable 4WD model from Land Rover to achieve 89g of CO2. It has an EV range of 20 miles, a top speed of around 120mph and a range of 690 miles.

Taking centre stage will be the new Range Rover Evoque with both coupe and 5-door derivatives. On press day (1 March 2011), Land Rover will be announcing full European pricing (excluding UK) and will be showing a range of exciting options available, giving Range Rover Evoque customers the opportunity to create a vehicle that is truly tailored to them.

The choices range from designer exterior packs, contrasting colours on the roof and spoiler, immaculately-trimmed designer interiors, and a range of desirable technologies to maximise comfort and enjoyment on board. Rather than using a traditional trim hierarchy, the Range Rover Evoque gives customers the choice of three design themes: the cool and contemporary 'Pure', the luxurious 'Prestige', and the bold and sporting 'Dynamic'.

Customers can further tailor these themes with different designer interiors, option packs, standalone options and accessory items, providing even more freedom to specify the car of their choice.

Gerry McGovern, Land Rover design director said: "Customers like to make their own unique statement with a vehicle and we have provided individuals with lots of opportunity to personalise their new Range Rover Evoque, whilst maintaining the essence of the design."

Owners can also choose from a very broad selection of official Range Rover accessories. The accessory range includes exterior and interior styling, together with a comprehensive choice of practical loading and towing items.

Also debuting at the Show are two Limited Editions. The Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition is the most luxurious Range Rover ever. With unrivalled levels of luxury for both driver and passenger, the Range Rover Ultimate Edition offers an assortment of super-premium features including hand crafted soft feel leathers; a yacht inspired teak floor and rear cabin iPads* as standard.

The 2011 Discovery 4 'Landmark' Limited Editions with Black and White themes are new variants bringing a fresh, more contemporary sense of design to the latest Discovery 4 line-up. Both models blend high-end interiors with bold, contemporary colour schemes. In keeping with the core appeal of the Discovery 4, both of these Limited Editions offer on-road refinement to match most executive saloons, the versatility of a large people carrier and unrivalled off-road capability. The Discovery 4 'Landmark' is now on-sale in the UK priced from £46,945 on the road.