Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced that it will expand propulsion choices across its portfolio, with Range Rover, Defender and Discovery line-ups set to offer combinations of mild-hybrid, full-hybrid, plug-in-hybrid and battery-electric powertrains. Jaguar, however, will remain an electric-only brand. This is a part of the next phase of JLR’s Reimagine strategy, which now underlines a medium-term double-digit revenue growth target.
- ‘Baby Defender’ will be offered with a hybrid powertrain, alongside the EV
- Plans are laid out to make North America a priority market
Notably, the EMA platform, conceived as an electric-only architecture by JLR, will also underpin hybrid vehicles (HEVs). JLR’s Halewood plant in the UK will produce hybrid vehicles alongside BEVs, in contrast to the manufacturer’s 2023 announcement that it would be an EV-only facility.
JLR’s upcoming global plans
More powertrain options to be introduced across Range Rover, Defender and Discovery brands
JLR’s chief executive officer, PB Balaji, said, “As we enter a critical business delivery phase of our Reimagine strategy, launching five new products over the next two years across our incredible House of Brands, now is also the time to evolve our plan to offer global markets greater propulsion choice to unlock growth and build resilience.”
The manufacturer announced that the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport will continue to be produced on JLR’s flexible Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA) at Solihull, which supports mild hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery-electric powertrains. The company plans to launch the Range Rover Electric and Range Rover Sport Electric later this year.
Later this year, JLR will also reveal yet another all-electric model based on the EMA platform, which is an EV-first platform. The vehicle will be produced at Halewood.
A new Defender-family model, popularly known as the ‘Baby Defender’, which was previously thought to be a BEV, will also be offered with a hybrid powertrain. It will be the second vehicle to use the EMA platform. The Defender line-up currently includes the 90, 110 and 130 models and is JLR’s highest-selling brand. All these versions are produced at the company’s plant in Nitra, Slovakia.
JLR said Discovery will continue to occupy a separate position in its portfolio. The company plans to “bring it to the future with propulsion flexibility and innovations in product design, with announcements on confirmed plans to come.”
Jaguar to remain electric-only
Jaguar will be the only brand in JLR’s portfolio to be fully electrified. The new four-door luxury grand tourer under this strategy, called Type 01, will be revealed later this year. The model will be manufactured at Solihull in the UK. JLR says it would “offer exuberant design, pioneering technology and a refusal to compromise on the distinctive design and dynamic characteristics that mark all iconic Jaguars”.
Plans to make North America a priority growth market for JLR
Plans to make North America a priority growth market for JLR
JLR plans to make North America a priority growth market alongside the UK, Europe and China. “Our aspiration, in the coming years, is to grow our US business to the size of the entire JLR business as it exists today,” Balaji said.
The company will explore products designed specifically for the US and strengthen its regional supply chain. JLR recently signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Stellantis to explore collaboration on products and technology in the US. The partnership will initially focus on opportunities for the Defender brand and on products aimed specifically at North American customers.
JLR said it would also continue to invest and grow in future high-potential markets, including India and the Middle East region. The manufacturer also reaffirmed its plan to invest GBP 18 billion (over Rs 224 crore) in future technologies, vehicle platforms and business transformation during the five years ending FY2029 (by March 2030).
With inputs from Darshan Nakhwa and Dipan Sur