Autocar July 24, 2019

SCHEDULING THE RECENT British Grand Prix to clash with the Cricket World Cup and Wimbledon finals was perhaps peak F1 in its ability to find ways to limit its broader appeal. Yet what headlines did emerge following Lewis Hamilton’s record sixth British GP win were not about his latest incredible success but whether or not he’s actually British. How absurd. Hamilton is a British sporting great, pure and simple. He is the best driver of this generation, if not arguably the greatest of all time. He is a serial winner yet also a brilliant racer, able to go wheel-to-wheel with his peers without crashing into them or causing controversy. Yes, he’s in the best car, yet that has not clouded the legend of drivers before him. In sport, the best players tend…

“The new XJ, due in around 12 months, is expected to be an unashamed super-luxury car” Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has embarked on a two-year programme of new vehicle launches and massive industrial investments designed to transform the company’s financial fortunes and put it on a long-term, stable footing. As well as three entirely new model lines – the new Defender family, the luxury Jaguar J-Pace SUV and a new Range Rover crossover – JLR engineers are replacing the XJ with an electric super-saloon next year and creating a new version of the evergreen Range Rover by 2022. All of these new models will be built on JLR’s brand-new ‘flex’ MLA architecture, which offers mild- and plug-in hybrid drivetrains as well as a pure-electric option. According to official company documents, there will also be…

The UK government’s surprise £500 million loan guarantee for Jaguar Land Rover investment comes exactly 20 years after the then-Labour administration turned down BMW’s request for aid to try and save Rover from the scrapheap. In March 1999, the BMW board was shocked when government ministers rejected the request for £240m, much of which would have been spent levelling and rebuilding Longbridge ahead of the investment in the new Mini and new R30 compact hatch. After all, the sum was a fraction of what BMW had poured into the Rover Group over five years. With 11,500 people then employed directly at Longbridge, BMW bosses expected the government to understand how finely balanced Rover’s future was – but the trade and industry secretary offered just £100m, with another £30m or so coming from…

SCHEDULING THE RECENT British Grand Prix to clash with the Cricket World Cup and Wimbledon finals was perhaps peak F1 in its ability to find ways to limit its broader appeal. Yet what headlines did emerge following Lewis Hamilton’s record sixth British GP win were not about his latest incredible success but whether or not he’s actually British. How absurd. Hamilton is a British sporting great, pure and simple. He is the best driver of this generation, if not arguably the greatest of all time. He is a serial winner yet also a brilliant racer, able to go wheel-to-wheel with his peers without crashing into them or causing controversy. Yes, he’s in the best car, yet that has not clouded the legend of drivers before him. In sport, the best…

Jaguar XJ: late 2020 When launched in 1968, the XJ was a benchmark for smoothness, fine handling and easy speed. Perhaps the old catchline of ‘Grace, pace and space’ will be perfect for the all-new XJ, which is expected to arrive as a pure EV. JLR has said virtually nothing about the MLA-based car. Recently departed design chief Ian Callum hinted the new XJ will offer serious luxury and still give a Jaguar driving experience. Perhaps the EV – ideal for high-end chauffeuring – will come as LWB only. Range Rover ‘Road Rover’: late 2021 Although JLR’s rocketing sales went into reverse in 2018 and 2019, it is still heading for 700,000-plus units annually. That means it could lose its current derogation from onerous EU fleet CO2 rules. If it needs to meet…

“The new XJ, due in around 12 months, is expected to be an unashamed super-luxury car” Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has embarked on a two-year programme of new vehicle launches and massive industrial investments designed to transform the company’s financial fortunes and put it on a long-term, stable footing. As well as three entirely new model lines – the new Defender family, the luxury Jaguar J-Pace SUV and a new Range Rover crossover – JLR engineers are replacing the XJ with an electric super-saloon next year and creating a new version of the evergreen Range Rover by 2022. All of these new models will be built on JLR’s brand-new ‘flex’ MLA architecture, which offers mild- and plug-in hybrid drivetrains as well as a pure-electric option. According to official company documents,…