Jaguar has announced what it says will be the world's first plug-in luxury EV – a version of its all-new XJ due out in 2010.
The company has revealed its benchmarks for its 'Limo Green' project to UK media: an electric range of 50 km, fuel economy of around 5.0L/100km, CO2 emissions of less than 120g/km and a 180 km/h top speed. Production will start in 2011.
The announcement comes with the finalisation of a $640m loan from the European Investment Bank -- part of a total $1.7bn investment by Jaguar Land Rover in greening its lineup and cutting total CO2 emissions by 25 per cent by 2012.
Jaguar has called on some heavyweight engineering credentials to help out in the development of its electric powertrain: Lotus Engineering, aftermarket plug-in developer MIRA and Caparo, an auto engineering outfit owned by ex-McLaren F1 engineers.
Taking styling cues from the mid-size XF, the car (see more here) will work in the same manner as GM's Volt: all-electric drive, powered by a grid-charged battery pack with a small internal combustion engine to help keep charge levels up and extend its range when necessary.
Jaguar is investigating the use of alloy body panels to keep its weight down -- part of a wider program using lightweight materials such as aluminium across the range.
The next generation XK will likely emerge from the factory in alloy clothes, as will the upcoming two-seat variant, the XE. So, it is thought, will the next XF. Weight savings would amount to about 100 kg.
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