When it comes to engines, U.S. buyers of Jaguar XJ and XF models have had it pretty easy. On these shores, both Jaguar sedans came packing a 5.0-liter V-8, so the only decision to be made was “normally aspirated” or “supercharged.” Since even the base engine made 385 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, the decision was usually made by the consumer’s budget.
In Europe, there are a dizzying array of engine options available for Jaguar models, starting with a turbodiesel four and running through a variety of gas and diesel V-6 models before topping out at the V-8 variants. Jaguar does this to broaden its appeal to a wider variety of customers, but also to meet stringent Euro 5 emission standards.
For 2013, it looks like buyers in the U.S. will get a broader range of engine options, too. Though market-specific details are still a bit hazy, it looks like Jaguar will drop the normally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 from base XF and XJ models, replacing it with a supercharged V-6.
The new-to-the-U.S. engine will make 335 horsepower and 331 pound feet of torque, which is noticeably less than the previous V-8. The big gains come in fuel economy, and Jaguar reports that the new engine is some 14-percent more fuel efficient than the unit it replaces. It should be lighter, too, which will make the new base XF and XJ models feel less nose-heavy than their predecessors. All engines, regardless of output, now come mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
If that’s not enough horsepower to amuse you, don’t worry: you’ll still be able to get both the normally-aspirated and supercharged V-8s, which also pick up fuel economy gains of 8 and 11-percent, respectively.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
