Jaguar to launch all-wheel-drive sedans within two years

With the X-Type standing as a rare exception, for the entirety of its history, Jaguar has meant rear-wheel drive. Want drive at all four corners? That's what its sister brand, Land Rover, has been for. But not everyone who wants luxury with foul weather prowess wants an SUV. In fact, a growing number of luxury sedan buyers look for power channeled to all four wheels, and Jaguar apparently thinks it can no longer afford to sit by and watch those buyers go to the likes of Audi (with its iconic Quattro models), BMW (with its xDrive offerings) and Mercedes-Benz (which offers 4Matic on several models).

As a result, a new story from Autocar indicates that Jaguar is preparing to launch all-wheel drive versions of the XF and /or XJ sedans. The move is targeted specifically at "the snowbelt of America," where Jaguar reportedly believes all-wheel-drive vehicles account for some 70 percent of sales.

The development of an all-wheel drive system is likely being conducted in conjunction with Land Rover, and is expected to arrive within the next two years. The project is being given a higher priority than the development of hybrid propulsion, since Jaguar estimates that its buyers are more willing to pony up for an extra set of driving wheels than a battery pack and a pair of electric motors.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/21/j...hin-two-years/

 

I could have sworn the XF and XJ already had AWD options.

It's necessary to be competitive in today's sport saloon market...

 

Company that has one of the most advanced AWD setups has yet to implement them into their cars.

This tells you a lot about management.

 

AWD is clearly popular up north but also gaining popularity in states that are warm as people feel "safe" with AWD....It also allows high power cars to put the power down better with a loss of fun.

Good move.

 

Hmm.....Jaguar has one of the most advanced AWD setups? In what sense? In reference to the discontinued X-type (or via their sister company Land Rover)?

Anyways, I would vote for AWD. XFR with AWD, XJ S/C V8 Supersport with AWD and even XFR with AWD.

AWD brings even more awesomeness for Jaguar (and this can also apply to another car company)

 

Jaguar=Land Rover

 

No.

Sedan chassis ≠ SUV chassis.

 

Great move by Jaguar. I am surprised that in all of these years they havent done AWD on the sedans.

 

AWD makes them more versatile and alluring to buyers in this class of vehicle

 

...No. This is all wrong.

Land Rover has a 4WD system with locking diffs. Something a car based AWD system will lack. They're all mostly electrical-based systems versus a pure mechanical system (which is what LR uses).



It's about time Jag finally got off their asses and started selling AWD sedans. They have gorgeous cars, but they only cater to such a small crowd, it's ridiculous. Who in the Northeast would actually buy a V8 RWD sedan? Judging by the fact that my local Jag dealer has had the same XF for about 2 years, no one.


They need to start offering AWD, smaller displacement engines (V6, turbos), cheaper prices, better residuals, and above all, a 3 series fighter.

 

Yeah, agreed. Almost every 5/E/A6/GS I see is AWD around here. No one wants FWD/RWD

 

Bleh... AWD sedans usually sit a few inches higher than their RWD siblings, and generally drive like FWD cars.

No thanks.

 

They drive like FWD cars if they have FWD-biased AWD systems. Some Lexus/Toyota systems, Acura SHAWD, VW Haldex for example.

Audi and BMW both have rear biased AWD systems (Quattro/Sport Quattro, xDrive)

 

Regardless of bias, once you start pushing a car with mechanical AWD system, it's going to have some of the handling negatives of a FWD car. This is why you'll never see a respectable sport sedan (AMG, F, ///M) with AWD system.

AWD systems with electro-magnetic clutches controlled by computers, such as those pioneered by Nissan and Acura, do not have those negative traits, but many purists still prefer RWD.

 

Hehe I respect your opinion but I would have to disagree with you on this one.

I reckon that anyone who lives in snowy areas would find RWD-only as a turn-off. This was what also what hampered the C63 AMG coupe when it rained during the track while Tiff Needel was driving it (and as to why it had a huge gap over the Audi RS5).

In any case, I'm not dissing against the RWD drivetrain in any way. However, you can't discount the merits of AWD either.

The Lexus LS also came into mind for me with this issue.. Personally, I'd never get an LS460L in RWD form and i'm glad that the LS600hL is AWD-only.

Just my two cents on this