Aug 16, 2012–Liverpool,USA (Techreleased) – Jaguar today announces that it is introducing All-Wheel Drive to the 2013 Model Year XF and XJ ranges. The AWD models will be powered exclusively by Jaguar’s new 3.0-litre V6 Supercharged petrol engine in 340PS form, and will offer optimised traction in all grip conditions. The AWD models will be available in selected markets including North America, Russia, China and Continental Europe.
Ian Hoban, Vehicle Line Director, Jaguar, said: “Our All-Wheel Drive system preserves all the dynamic qualities of our rear-wheel drive Jaguar saloons in terms of handling, steering quality and ride refinement while adding a new depth of ability in low-grip conditions. The system delivers all the traction benefits you would expect, but the AWD XF and XJ are still very rewarding cars to drive – which was exactly our intention.”
An active torque-management system, Jaguar AWD uses a performance-oriented rear-drive bias which can shift power to the front wheels to either pre-empt or counter wheel slip. Jaguar’s AWD employs an active power transfer control technology that adds the benefit of enhanced all-season traction while retaining the sporty agility and steering feel of the rear-wheel drive versions. The AWD system is paired with a new supercharged 340 horsepower 3-liter V6 engine.
“The additional choices of V6 engines and All Wheel Drive to our Jaguar luxury sedan lineup is massively important to the brand’s business potential here in the United States,” said Andy Goss, President Jaguar Land Rover North America. ” In the northern half of the United States more than 80% of our competitors’ luxury sedan sales are All Wheel Drive equipped and more than 90% have either All Wheel Drive or V6 power. With V6 power and All Wheel Drive alongside our high-performance V8 Rear Wheel Drive models, Jaguar will now be competing in luxury market marketplace that is up to10 times larger and will transform the relevance of this iconic brand in the U.S.”
Jaguar engineers spent 18 months testing the new all-wheel drive system in a variety of conditions, including the frozen lakes and split friction coefficient surfaces of the Jaguar Land Rover development facility in northern Sweden.
