Jaguar Land Rover has demonstrated its latest efforts of low-carbon technology in its new XJ_e project car at the CENEX Low Carbon Vehicle Event this week. The flagship Jaguar runs alongside Land Rover's Range_e model, as a project to create 'best-in-class' low-carbon, premium products.
To look at - minus the exclusive paintjob - nothing differentiates the XJ_e from a standard model; however the powertrain is where the car comes into play. Powered by the 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injection petrol unit from the Range Rover Evoque, JLR has added a 69kW electric motor/generator and an eight-speed automatic gearbox, producing favourable results from the model.
The company says the XJ_e will achieve 87mpg on the combined cycle, emit just 75g/km of CO2 and travel up to 25 miles on electric power alone. These figures all translate to a theoretical maximum range of 679 miles on a full tank of fuel. However, for those who think the car's power has been sacrificed for economy, JLR also claims a maximum petrol/electric output of 330hp; meaning the XJ_e can clear 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds and climb to a limited top speed of 150mph.
Partly funded through the UK Government via the REEVolution project, the XJ_e has been developed alongside the UK's leading technology companies in order to foster the expertise needed for the proposed future of 'green' premium cars.
"We are the UK's largest investor in automotive green technology," says Bob Joyce, JLR's Engineering Director. "We are helping push the boundaries of research into the electrification of premium and luxury vehicles, with experimental vehicles like the XJ_e."
JLR is also part of a consortium of companies researching electric technology; a group that includes Lotus and Nissan. Cars that demonstrate the progress of their research will be the XJ_e, the Infiniti EMERG-E, and the Lotus Evora 414E.
James Giddings - 5 Sep 2012
