In an effort to outdo Mazda in the quest for finding the silliest-sounding engine range name, Jaguar created its family of Ingenium four-cylinder gasoline and diesel turbo units, which will be powering most of its upcoming offerings from the more mainstream part of its range.
These are “compact, lightweight, low-emissions diesel and petrol turbocharged engines that” aim to provide “efficiency and performance,” in the same manner as other manufacturers are already doing. Being “configurable and flexible,” it will enable “maximum manufacturing efficiency, more variants, higher quality and greater speed to market,” according to the automaker.
Key numbers are the considerably lower weight than that of comparable units they’re set to replace – up to 80 kg (176 lbs) and improved fuel efficiency and emissions ratings, which go hand in hand with improved performance and refinement as well.
The first of these engines to go into full series production is the 2.0-liter diesel, bearing the internal code designation AJ200d. It promises 17 percent improved economy over what’s currently being used (a larger, older generation 2.2-liter diesel).
Ron Lee, Jaguar Land Rover Director of Powertrain Engineering, explained the company’s view on the new units:
“Ingenium fulfils our commitment to offer our global customers some of the most advanced powertrains available in some of the lightest vehicles in the premium SUV and performance car segments. Being configurable and flexible are the two key strands of Ingenium’s DNA because we have future-proofed our new engines from the outset. Ingenium will be able to accept new advances in fuel, turbocharging, emissions, performance and electrification technologies when they are ready and accessible to be deployed.”
One of the first cars to benefit from this new series of engines will be the all-new upcoming XE sedan. It’s Jaguar’s answer to the uber-efficient BMW 3-Series and supremely cushy all-new Mercedes C-Class, so it needs to be comparable to both in order to be competitive. A solid powertrain choice will help it achieve that, and we already know it will look good, because…Ian Callum, so it’s definitely a car we’re eager to see fully revealed.
By Andrei Nedelea
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