Following approval of a £307 million ($407.8 million) loan from the European Investment Bank to spend on advancing green car technology, Autocar says the British automaker will bring a Volt-like extended-range electric XJ to production in 2011. According to Autocar, Jaguar's goals for the electric XJ will be an all-electric range of 30 miles, fuel economy of 57 mpg, and emissions of 120 g/km - all with a top speed of 112 mph.
The top-level Jag should already have a low curb weight thanks for Jaguar's alloy body technology, and the powertrain will be top-notch, developed together by Lotus Engineering, MIRA, and Caparo.
Money from the EIB loan will also be spent on developing a small Range Rover based on the LRX concept, a 2.0-liter diesel and a mild-hybrid Range Rover Sport. Jaguar and Land Rover will also focus more on weight-saving measures, specifically using more lightweight materials like aluminum in body construction. Autocar says the next Range Rover and Range Rover Sport will have alloy body shells, the upcoming XE two-seat sports car may be based off the next-gen alloy XK and the next-gen XF will be made with alloys as well.
Source: Autocar