Jaguar's 5.0 liter supercharged V8 as used in the current line of Range Rover Full Size and Range Rover Sport models has a lot going for it. The power available is beyond reckoning, and the sweet sound coming from the twin pipes is soothing enough to put any baby to sleep. Well, maybe not. But they do sound terrific.
According to reports however, the design is outdated and the engines could be more efficient. As has been their business model since the dawn of the first Range Rover classic, Land Rover won’t be designing a new replacement engine, rather they will continue to borrow proven reliable and powerful motors form other makers. Automobile magazine reports that Jaguar Land Rover is planning to begin using twin-turbo charged V8s made by BMW. Additionally, the current V6 models will be replaced by a inline-six based off JLRs own inline four cylinder engines.
Back when BMW owned Land Rover, BMW engines found their way into a variety of models - of particular note, the Range Rover L322, until 2005. In 2006 they began using the Jaguar motors. The current BMW twin-turbo V8 has a 4.4 liter displacement and in various configurations can make between 440 and 600 horsepower. JLR will likely use a new 4-liter version that will be more powerful, fuel efficient and lighter than any of the current offerings.
The venture makes a lot of sense for both carmakers. JLR can continue to develop its Ingenium line of four and six-cylinder engines, while still offering a V8 option. For BMW, they now have a partner to help fund the costs of developing the new motor.
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