Jaguar claims world first for F-PACE structure
RC 5754 aluminium introduced in series automotive production for the first time in Jaguar's new SUVA weight difference of at least 140kg separates the new Jaguar F-PACE from its heavier competitors, the BMW X4 and Porsche Macan, says Jaguar Product Manager, Andrew Chapman.
During his presentation for the new Jaguar SUV last week, Chapman presented a slide that revealed the F-PACE at its heaviest weighs less than 80kg more than the lightest X4 – and less than 40kg more than the lightest Macan. That's despite the F-Pace being larger in every dimension than the two German cars.
The figures provided by Chapman during his presentation tell the story:
F-PACE 1665-1884kg
X4 1805-1935kg
Macan 1845-2000kg
It all comes down to aluminium, Chapman explained, and specifically a type of aluminium alloy that's never been tried in series-volume automotive production before. RC 5754 is an alloy of aluminium and magnesium, but with a slightly higher aluminium content than other, similar alloys.
The F-PACE employs the same bonded and riveted aluminium construction already introduced in Land Rover models like the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. But the Jaguar uses RC 5754 in recycled form.
Not only does the alloy reduce the car's weight – and long-term fuel use in operation – but its recycled form imposes a lower environmental cost in energy consumption to process. That also helps Jaguar Land Rover reduce production costs – a challenge the company has been addressing for some years now.
F-Pace represents the world's first application of RC 574 in a high-volume automotive manufacturing application.
While RC 5754 – a '5000 series' material – is used extensively throughout the F-PACE, the new SUV also features structural components formed from '6000 series' aluminium, to cope better with impact stresses and load paths in the event of a crash, for instance.
"The aluminium technology in our cars is absolutely essential to the way that they feel, the way that they handle, the low centre of gravity, the stiffness that lets us tune the suspension brilliantly – we are world leaders in aluminium construction," Chapman said.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
