LexFather

Jaguar Land Rover plans to cut down from using six platforms to just two, including a platform share between the Range Rover and XJ.

Building a Range Rover out of the same structure that underpins the new XJ saloon is not as difficult as it might sound, requiring only limited, inexpensive modifications.

While the floor and front crash structure will remain the same, the Range Rover version will get a taller front bulkhead and a modified rear bulkhead, which will accommodate folding rear seats.

The XJ’s front strut towers are cast in one piece and bonded and riveted to the front chassis legs. The Range Rover will simply get taller towers to accommodate the model’s higher ride height and much greater wheel articulation.

Ultimately, JLR wants to have two basic platforms. The basic set-up will be a conventional steel structure (based on Ford’s C1 platform), which will come in three lengths and underpin the three-model Freelander family. Insiders expect a super-size seven-seat Freelander to replace the current Discovery, so that model will not require a direct replacement.

Jaguar’s aluminium architecture is likely to be spun out of today’s wider, luxury version (used for the firm’s three flagship cars) and a new, narrower, more flexible structure for the rest of Jaguar’s future models, including the XE roadster.


http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsAr...Series/247561/

I8ABMR

costs are being cut cut cut. I have said in the past that the drop in the financial strength of the markets will end up producing cars like this. I dont know about quality, but I know the variety of platforms produced will drop. I guess more workers will be cut as well

Faymester

I do not like where this is going. ...

IS-SV

Sign of the times, and Jag/Rover needs to become a viable business under the new ownership, about time.

TRDFantasy

With Tata running the brands, not surprised at all. They are known for cost-cutting.

whoster

but the cars are oh-so British fabulous....

LexFather

My worry is in 30 years we will have 3 car companies and flavor will be lost.

Faymester

^ VW Group, Hyundai & Generic American brand.

TRDFantasy

So you think Toyota would disappear then?

Faymester

I think it goes like this:

VW group buys up all the German brands (they seem to like doing that already)

Hyundai takes advantage of how big Toyota has gotten and Honda's collossal (sp) amount of false promises which will eventually catch up with them

Generic American brand: I dunno, by government mandate or something similar


I hope it doesn't go that way, but if I had to call 3 main brands who make it ... that's them.

I could however see BMW M and MB AMG coming together as a very nieche performance only brand

TRDFantasy

So, what you're saying is Toyota would become some small automaker, or get merged with someone?

Faymester

I'm suggesting they're dangerously big for what they're trying to do and if they continue unchanged they are likely to be bought out / merge with someone.

GFerg

Wondering if there is a possibility of an aluminum space frame Range Rover.

JLR can definitely work with only two platforms. I dont see that as a problem. For example, Nissan has made coupes (XK), sedans (XF, XJ), and SUV's (Range Rover Sport) off of one basic platform.

LexFather

Please don't take my 3 serious....But maybe 10 tops......

As we can see we have less brands every year (mainstream) they are absorbing one another, platforms are shrinking and they collaborate more.

For example if Jaguar goes, even if I don't own one I would miss it. Same with Saab, yeah no one really buys one or cares but it was different.

Faymester

My issue with this Jag and Rover on the same platform is that the Rover Sport and the FFRR are not both Range Rovers.

The Rover Sport is based off the Discovery but it wears FFRR styled clothing. The Range Rover (FFRR) is actually a ridiculously complicated truck.

This is why when people are all on about their Rover being broken, it almost always turns out to be a Rover Sport, not an actual Range Rover.

So, if there are only two platforms that would more than likely mean that the FFRR is about to become a lesser truck - and that makes me somewhat sad