As Jaguar has already pointed out at the debuts of the XJ in Paris and Birmingham, the switch to aluminium has allowed the car to be stretched in all directions without incurring a weight penalty. Indeed, even though it offers significantly greater space for passengers and an increase in luggage space of 25 per cent, the new bodywork weighs up to 200 kg less than the steel shell of the previous model. However, what Jaguar get out of the XJ is, firstly, the product, then a learning process that can be repeated elsewhere in the parent company, in part, for instance, doing an aluminium door at Volvo or Ford, or in its entirety for another vehicle, be it a Jaguar, an Aston Martin or Range Rover. Jaguar opted for aluminium in the belief that the environment, legislation and fuel economy are set to become increasingly significant factors facing the industry in future. There are two approaches here: the weight approach and the powertrain approach. Jaguar has taken the former route, but add to this diesel engines and further developments in powertrain and one will see even lighter vehicles powered by still more efficient engines in future.
Technology briefing: materials
Automotive Engineer ; 27 , 11 ; 22-26
2002
3 Seiten, 3 Bilder
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Englisch
Technology briefing - materials
Kraftfahrwesen | 2003
|Technology briefing - materials
Kraftfahrwesen | 2002
|Technology briefing - materials
Kraftfahrwesen | 2003
|Technology briefing: materials
Kraftfahrwesen | 2001
|Technology briefing: materials
Kraftfahrwesen | 2005
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