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Jaguar axes supercar plans, focuses on luxury EVs

Jaguar is abandoning plans to replace the XK coupe and convertible and won't build a production variant of the C-X75 supercar, according to Automobile Magazine. Previous reports indicated that Jaguar could revive the XK line as a grand tourer, but the automaker has turned toward building two electric vehicles (EV). One would be a replacement for the XJ sedan and the other a premium SUV. The large luxury EV, codenamed X590, is reported to be a four-door coupe with a rear hatch that signifies a drastic shift in strategy by Jaguar. The vehicle is said to be a compromise between Jaguar Land Rover CEO Ralf Speth and Jaguar design chief Ian Callum. According to the report, the X590 will utilize a new electronic architecture that can be adapted to accommodate the software for autonomous driving capability that was developed under former BMW engineer Wolfgang Ziebart. Jaguar looks to take on the Tesla Model S and the slew of electric vehicles from Germany with the X590. While Jaguar hopes the EV will allow the automaker to expand to a new segment, it will continue to sell the current XJ alongside the X590. Meanwhile, an unnamed source claims Jaguar will put an electric SUV on the road shortly after the X590 in 2019. Originally planned as a Range Rover, the ute is reported to have a modern look with a focus on aerodynamics. The SUV will be offered as a rear-wheel-drive model with one motor or an all-wheel-drive version with two motors. Both variants will have a choice of three battery packs based on range, performance, and charge time. Jaguar expects to put 20,000 to 30,000 units of the X590 on the road every year, while the SUV, which should be more affordable, will have a production rate between 30,000 and 50,000 units. With the electric and SUV segment continuing to grow, Jaguar is looking to capitalize with two new vehicles that could set the tone for its future. Related Video:

UK electric motor maker YASA expands production 50-fold for EVs

LONDON — British electric motor manufacturer YASA said on Thursday it was increasing its production capacity from 2,000 to 100,000 units with a new factory to tap into growing demand from carmakers for greener technologies. Automakers are racing to build greener vehicles and improve charge times in a bid to meet rising customer demand and air quality targets but Britain lacks sufficient manufacturing capacity, an area the government is building up. Last year, the government picked a site in central England to house a new automotive battery development facility, which will develop the processes required to manufacture the latest battery advancements. On Thursday, YASA, based near the English city of Oxford, said it had raised another 15 million pounds ($21 million) as part of its expansion. "Our customers are looking to adopt innovative new technologies such as YASA's axial-flux electric motors and controllers in order to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding hybrid and pure electric automotive market," said Chief Executive Chris Harris. The firm exports 80 percent of production and has worked with companies including Britain's two biggest carmakers Jaguar Land Rover and Nissan as well as Aston Martin. JLR will decide this year whether to build electric cars in its home market, previously citing factors such as pilot testing and support from science and government as pre-requisites. Reporting by Costas PitasRelated Video:

Jaguar J-Pace crossover spied with diesel hybrid power

The new Jaguar F-Pace is only now hitting dealerships, but the British automaker is already testing a bigger, higher-end example. Allegedly named J-Pace – tying it to the flagship XJ sedan the same way the F-Pace is to the XF (so expect an E-Pace before too long) – Jaguar's engineers stretched the wheelbase and cobbled together a big CUV from an F-Pace's body parts. The biggest giveaway is on the rear door's cutline. A normal F-Pace's shut line runs right into the middle of the rear wheel arch. But on this mule, the door closes well forward of the arch. Outside the axles, Jag has stretched the front overhang – it's far more prominent with a completely different lower intake – and the super-short rear overhang reinforces the idea that we're seeing a longer platform. While we know the wheelbase is longer than the normal F-Pace, the platform underpinning this mule could go one of three ways. First, in what would probably be the most cost-effective route, Jaguar could simply stretch the chassis underpinning the F-Pace. Second, Jag could mine the Land Rover parts bin for a fullsize platform, perhaps from the Range Rover. It's not a crazy idea, and would open the J-Pace to a more potent line of powertrains – hello 5.0-liter, supercharged V8. Finally, the J-Pace could borrow its platform from the XJ sedan. One reason this mule could be riding on a Land Rover platform is because of its powertrain. According to the vehicle lookup on the British Ministry of Transport's website – see the final slide in our gallery above – the mule's number plates belong to a vehicle with a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine and an electric motor, a diesel hybrid. The fullsize Range Rover is available in such a configuration outside the US, but it uses a 3.0-liter V6. Clearly, the J-Pace is still very early in its development process. That means we shouldn't count on seeing a production-ready vehicle for quite some time. Our spies point to a 2019 debut as a 2020 model. We'll just have to wait and see. Related Video: Featured Gallery Jaguar J-Pace: Spy Shots View 12 Photos Image Credit: KGP Photography Green Spy Photos Jaguar Crossover Hybrid Luxury