Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Jaguar 4-Cyl. Diesel to Debut in NY

Jaguar unveils its most efficient engine yet: a 2.2L diesel 4-cyl. unit, as well as an advanced 8-speed automatic gearbox from German supplier ZF. The new powertrain will feature in a future XF production car with specifications and an estimated on-sale date to be announced at the New York auto show opening April 22. Jaguar says the new engine develops 187 hp and 332 lb.-ft. (450 Nm) of torque and is capable of returning 52.3 mpg (4.5 L/100 km) on the combined cycle while emitting 149 g/km of carbon dioxide. Debuting in the U.K. in a prototype development vehicle, the new 16-valve common-rail diesel is installed in a longitudinal configuration, a first for Jag. It features a water-cooled turbocharger with low-friction pistons, new injectors and a new crankshaft. Jaguar says the changed configuration allowed Jaguar engineers to add a new oil pan and electronic systems affecting the crankshaft to enable the new Intelligent Stop/Start system to operate more efficiently. Intelligent Stop/Start aims to reduce the prolonged time spent in the shutdown and start-up phase occasionally experienced in these systems. Jaguar says the new crankshaft sensor and fuel-rail pressure-holding system allow the engine to restore power more quickly through an innovative engine restart capability. Future Jaguar XF to feature 2.2L diesel engine. “This is best demonstrated when approaching a busy roundabout – in situations where the driver briefly brings the vehicle to a stop only to move off again quickly,” Jaguar says. “In conventional systems, the engine needs to shut down completely before restarting again, leading to often frustrating delays.” The Jaguar system is able to restart the engine while it's shifting down from as little as 400 rpm, meaning it does not need to come to a stop and drive is restored more efficiently. The inclusion of the stop/start function is estimated to increase overall fuel efficiency between 5% and 7%. The development vehicle also debuts an advanced 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox. With the seventh and eighth ratios effectively acting as overdrive gears, the new gearbox allows the 2.2L engine to be optimized to deliver swift response when required and effortless highway cruising to ensure the ideal balance between efficiency and performance, Jaguar says. The sprint to 62 mph (100 km/h) takes 8.5 seconds before achieving a maximum speed of 140 mph (225 km/h). Jaguar says its engineers emphasized sound deadening around the engine and bulkhead and employed active engine mounts to reduce vibration. The result is a decibel reduction in cabin noise.