Euro Emissions Rules May Force Front-Wheel Drive Jaguar

Tightening European emissions rules may force mid-size luxury automakers like JaguarJaguarUnited Kingdom, 1922 > present53 models
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Land RoverLand RoverUnited Kingdom, 1978 > present15 models
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to produce extremely efficient front-wheel drive models. The EU is forcing automakers to have average fleet emissions of 95g/km of CO2 by 2020 for automakers more than 300,000 cars a year. Jaguar believes that it might be easier to develop a single, cleaner model than try to clean its cars up by that much, especially since subsequent legislation that may force cars to be even cleaner in later years. 

Jaguar is already developing a new compact luxury sedan and a crossover that will both be on sale in about the next two years. A small, luxury front-wheel drive model would allow it to possibly meet the legislation. 

The front-wheel drive Jaguar would need its own platform that would likely only be used for one model. It would be a massive investment for a mid-size auto company. 

“As a designer, I’d love to create a small car with Jaguar’s name on. But I have lots of projects I’d like to do — and few expectations of there being a business case for them," said Jaguar Land Rover designer Ian Callum.

Larger automakers have the option of rolling out clean models that do not affect their branding. BMWBMWGermany, 1918 > present87 models
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is launching the i sub-brand, and MercedesMercedes-BenzGermany, 1924 > present197 models
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is investing heavily in the next generation of SmartsmartGermany, 1994 > present13 models
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.

Source: Autocar