Jaguar Land Rover is another of the world’s top automotive manufacturers that is invested heavily in the future of electromobility. The Whitley, Coventry, U.K. based brand has planned to release all-electric versions of its flagship products the Land Rover Range Rover and Jaguar XJ.
During its annual investor day last month, the company highlighted its interest to release electric versions of a “large SUV and a large premium sedan.” In the time since, it’s become clear which models the brand is planning to update. Currently, the new electric Range Rover is anticipated in 2021 with the EV XJ slated for a 2020 debut.
Each of the cars are expected to be built utilizing Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA). This car framework system can easily be modified for all-electric, plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and lesser hybridized drivetrains. The company plans to use the MLA system to replace the other five platforms the company uses across its storied product lines.
Jaguar Land Rover’s Head of Engineering Nick Rogers was enthusiastic that MLA will “drive margin improvement driven by new products and cost improvements.”
Jaguar Focused on the Long Game
The forthcoming Jaguar XL will be an all-electric vehicle (EV). The company plans to produce six-cylinder gasoline powered versions later on in the production cycle.
EVs built on the MLA platform are powered by a 90.2 kilowatt-hour battery storage system which delivers up to 470 km (292 miles) of range according to Rogers. The company hopes the XJ will adequately compete against competitors such as the Audi E-Tron and Tesla Model S.
Jaguar has positioned itself as an electric pioneer with the release of its award winning Jaguar I-Pace Electric SUV in 2018. The I-Pace was built as a single, stand alone creation built in collaboration with Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria. Though the I-Pace was extremely successful, the company believes the new MLA framework will allow it to scale its technology while vastly reducing costs.
Jaguar Land Rover will begin producing MLA cars at its Solihull, England production facility. Industry analysts predict this will mean current XJ production site, Castle Bromwich may soon take on new responsibilities. Jaguar’s production of the current XJ ends this month.
Jaguar Land Rover: Heavily Invested in Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV)
The new Land Rover Range Rover will be quickly followed by the next version of the Range Rover Sport. Each car will be built on the MLA platform. Each will be available as plug-in hybrid vehicles, and at least one of the Range Rover’s trims will be available as an all-electric vehicle.
JRR CFO Ken Gregor confirmed that each car should be expected in 2021.
While Jaguar Land Rover JLR already sells plug-in hybrid versions of the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, built on the D7U platform, the company is also planning to release a PHEV version of the Range Rover Evoque. This is expected to be built on a newer D7A frame.
Plug-in hybrid cars built on the MLA system will use an13.1 kWh battery to provide an all-electric range of 33 miles. Lesser hybridized variants will rely on JLR’s proprietory Ingenium engines connected to a belt integrated starter system to provide electric assistance at lower speeds.
JRR is hoping that switching to a unified design focus built around the MLA framework will be essential to boosting future profits. The company warned investors that continued losses are expected through 2019 due in large part to slower than expected sales in China.
Not everyone agrees that a single frame could be used for all future JRR production. Jaguar former Head of Design, Ian Callum expressed his doubt to Automotive News Europe that the company would be able to build all its future cars on one MLA frame: “We are moving to MLA yes, but that won’t be the only platform.It would be mad not to evolve the I-Pace platform. It’s not the least expensive platform in the world, but the first platform is inevitably going more expensive than the next one.”
Jaguar Land Rover is Not for Sale
During a World Car Awards Lunch, JLR CEO Dr. Ralph Speth outlined his company’s financial challenges while affirming a sale was not on the horizon: “Today it’s very simple. Jaguar Land Rover is not for sale.”
Though Jaguar Range Rover posted weaker than expected sales figures for May of 2019, Chief Commercial Officer Felix Brautigam was enthusiastic: “May saw two important milestones for Land Rover with the debut of significant model updates. The brand’s best-selling Discovery Sport premium compact SUV has been transformed from the ground up, making it almost a new car. Featuring the all-new Premium Transverse Architecture, it will be available with MHEV (mild hybrid electric) and PHEV (plug in hybrid electric) powertrains, which are important additions to our growing portfolio of electrified vehicles. The enhanced interior of the new Discovery Sport is highly versatile, available with seven seats and featuring the latest connectivity.”
He continues, “Although sales dipped at Jaguar this month, we were pleased to see the continued strong response to the award-winning I-PACE. We also launched the Jaguar E-PACE Chequered Flag edition, which generated a high level of interest with customers and commentators alike.”
The JRR boss outlined three key reasons why his company’s profits have stalled despite receiving global accolades for its products such as the Jaguar I-Pace, which was named World Car of the Year. First, the loss of the diesel car market in Europe, second, increased investment to produce more sustainable vehicles, and finally the expense of needing to update U.K. and other production facilities.
The CEO emphasized the solidity of his company’s relationship with its parent company:”We are owned by Tata of India. This is the way things will stay. Tata – with Jaguar and Land Rover – is a leader, producing leading products that have won a total of six World Car Awards in the last three years.”
Source: Automotive News Europe