Jaguar is making its contribution to the downsizing revolution with two new petrol engines for its XF and XJ saloon range.
In the XF line-up, the naturally aspirated V6 makes way for a new 2-litre four-cylinder turbopetrol while in both ranges the naturally aspirated 5-litre V8 moves aside to make way for a 3-litre V6 supercharged petrol motor.
In all variations, the new engines send their power to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
TURBO FOUR
Jaguar's new 'base' i4 engine will be familiar to those who've driven the petrol-powered Range Rover Evoque and it's of the sophisticated variety with technologies like direct fuel injection and dual variable valve timing keeping consumption in check.
Thanks to a low-inertia turbocharger, it's a bit more powerful and a lot torquier than the 175kW/293Nm V6 it replaces, the 2-litre credited with 177kW at 5000rpm and 340Nm from 2000rpm.
Jaguar has also attempted to address the issue of smoothness that might be lost by ditching the V6 format, by installing twin balancer shafts, active engine mounts and an 'acoustic cover'.
So how fast is it? According to Jaguar's sea-level claim journal, the XF 2.0 will dart from 0-100km/h in 7.9 seconds and reach a top end of 241km/h. Claimed combined fuel consumption is 8.9 litres per 100km.
SUPER SIX
The new 3-litre supercharged V6 motor, available in both the XF and XJ, also has direct injection and dual VVT, in addition to idle-stop.
With six cylinders boosted by a supercharger, this motor takes the role of replacing Jaguar's normally aspirated 283kW/515Nm V8.
However, this one is a little shyer on the spec sheet, with outputs dropping to 250kW at 6500rpm and 450Nm from 3500rpm. That said, its forced induction should more than make up for the deficit in those cars that find themselves at Gauteng altitude.
Looking at the numbers, the both the XF and XJ 3.0 V6 SC models are said to be capable of 0-100 in 5.9 seconds, a 250km/h top speed and 9.4 l/100km thirst. Why no difference? The XJ's aluminium construction means that it only weighs a few kilos more than its smaller sibling.
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Jaguar is confident that these new engines will more than satisfy its traditional clients, as chief powertrain engineer Ron Lee puts it: "Both the 3.0 V6 SC and 2.0 Turbo make intelligent use of forced-induction technology to produce high-specific output in an efficient way, while delivering the compelling combination of flexibility, refinement and driver reward that are integral attributes in all Jaguar engines."
PRICES
XF
2.2D Luxury - 147kW/450Nm - R484 000
2.2D Premium Luxury - 147kW/450Nm - R547 000
2.0 i4 Luxury - 177kW/340Nm - R499 700
2.0 i4 Premium Luxury - 177kW/340Nm - R561 800
3.0 D Premium Luxury - 202kW/600Nm - R704 800
3.0 SC Premium Luxury - 250kW/450Nm - R698 900
5.0 V8 SC XFR - 375kW/625Nm - R1 043 200
XJ
3.0D Premium Luxury - 202kW/600Nm - R1 028 700
3.0 SC Premium Luxury - 250kW/450Nm - R1 018 100
5.0 SC Supersport - 375kW/625Nm - R1 671 000
XJL
3.0D Portfolio - 202kW/600Nm - R1 240 600
3.0 SC Portfolio - 250kW/450Nm - R1 256 200
5.0 SC Supersport - 375kW/625Nm - R1 778 000
5.0 SC Ultimate - 375kW/625Nm - R2 072 900
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