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With manufacturers updating their current line ups to rival the new cars being released, some are considering adding new engines to their vehicles. Two such automakers are Alfa Romeo and Jaguar, here's an overview of the engine changes they have planned.
Alfa Romeo to gain Ferrari engines?
A recent report has revealed more details on Alfa's fourth turnaround plan in Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne's tenure. This time Ferrari are apparently going to be part of the venture. In December, reports stated that a new Maserati derived rear drive architecture would be used as the centre piece at Alfa Romeo, as well as announcing coming Dodge and Chrysler products. At the time reports stated that the platform would support a new midsize sedan and wagon perhaps called the Giulia, with the product initiative starting as soon as next year. This new venture would be part of Fiat's $12.3 billion spend on new models and European recovery.
The new report says that particulars have yet to be finalized but the plan is to have six new Alfas appear over the next five years, two of which are to be SUVs. The top tier versions of the company's new line up are, according to the report, 'will be equipped with motors developed by Ferrari.'
Marchionne wants to get sales up to 300,000 units per year when the line up is complete, pairing Alfa's sales with Jeep's global dealer network to open up the retail channel. Alfa's direction will be laid out in Detroit in May as part of the overall strategy presentation for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV.
Jaguar Land Rover new supercharged engines
Jaguar has hinted that it will continue to favour supercharging as a way to boost performance in it's larger engines when it introduces it's new range of powerplants, starting with the new XE mid sized sedan being unveiled later in 2014.
Unlike it's major rivals, who use exhaust driven turbochargers to give a blend of high power and relatively decent fuel consumption. Jaguar relies on mechanically driven superchargers to achieve the same end. Having announced a new range of modular V8, V6 and four-cylinder engines under the Ingenium banner to replace its current engine line-up, it seems that trend could continue.
Jaguar's chief performance engineer, Tim Clark, commented, ““When you look at engines with capacities of three litres and above, the pumping losses aren’t that different between turbocharging and supercharging so there’s a good case for supercharging. Ultimately, though, when you want a smaller engine you get lower C02 emissions from a turbo and that seems a path to follow.”
Given that Jaguar’s requirements are for lower vehicle price and emissions from the XE and upcoming SUV model, plus high performance versions of those and its XF, F-Type and XJ sedan, the new engine line-up has designed with flexibility in mind. The Ingenium engine family will also be used by partner Land Rover in its range of SUVs and four-wheel-drives. Jaguar Land Rover has said the Ingenium line-up is the most flexible ever produced by the company, designed to suit in-line and transverse installations for rear and four-wheel-drive.
We'll keep you updated on more manufacturer engine news when it arrives.