Out of Nowhere, Jaguar Has a Hybridized, Turbocharged, and e-Supercharged Inline-Six
Jaguar Land Rover debuts an all-new, hybridized 3.0-liter inline-six engine.
The engine benefits from both turbocharging and an electrically powered supercharger, as well as a 48-volt electrical system.
For now, the 395-hp engine is being installed in a U.K. version of the Range Rover Sport, but it likely will spread to other vehicles and other markets soon.
We knew Jaguar Land Rover was planning on adding an inline-six engine to its budding family of modern Ingenium engines, which until now has consisted entirely of four-cylinder gas and diesel options. But we didn't realize the 3.0-liter straight-six would be so high-tech: This turbocharged engine is supported by a 48-volt electrical system, which powers an electric supercharger and an electric motor.
Whoa. That makes the new Ingenium inline-six, at least in the configuration Land Rover is debuting it in, a hybridized mill with traditional turbocharging and electric supercharging. If this setup sounds familiar, it's because Mercedes-AMG's new E53 models have a very similar arrangement (right down to their inline-six engines). Thanks to its dual forced induction and electric assist-the electric motor aids the gas engine and also is used as its starter and as a generator to replenish the 48-volt battery pack-the 3.0-liter inline-six produces a stout 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque.
Jaguar Land Rover says the electric supercharger sharpens the engine's throttle response, as it can spin up to its 65,000-rpm peak within half a second. That masks any turbo lag that might crop up from the turbocharger between the time the driver presses the gas pedal and the engine responds. (Remember, turbochargers are driven by exhaust gases-meaning there is a slight delay between the engine revving up and the exhaust-driven turbocharger having sufficient speed to generate meaningful boost.) The hybrid bits and 48-volt system enable extended periods of fuel-saving engine-off scenarios when, say, the vehicle is stopped at a red light or in traffic.
For now, the new engine is available only in a special-edition Land Rover Range Rover Sport HST model (pictured here) in the U.K. But look for the powerful new engine to make its way into other Land Rover, Range Rover, and Jaguar products around the world soon. More details, including performance estimates and fuel economy benefits, likely will land closer to the six-cylinder's arrival in North America.
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