BMW Will Reportedly Supply Jaguar With Twin-Turbocharged V8s
After years of using old designs dating back to its days under Ford ownership, Jaguar Land Rover is finally introducing new engines into its stable. We know that all its inline-fours will be derived from its Ingenium modular engine family, and that its supercharged V6 will likely soon be replaced by a straight-six from the same family. What we don’t know is what will happen to JLR’s iconic supercharged V8, though there’s now an intriguing rumor regarding its replacement.
JLR will reportedly buy a forthcoming version of BMW’s twin-turbo V8 for future use in various cars. Currently, BMW’s N63 V8 displaces 4.4 liters and makes a maximum of 600 horsepower in certain versions of the M5. BMW will allegedly develop a 4.0-liter version for itself and JLR.
We love JLR’s deranged V8, which makes 575 horsepower and all sorts of goofy noises in the Jaguar F-Type SVR, but it’s not exactly the most fuel efficient thing in the world. Even if you’re very careful with your right foot in a V8 F-Type, you’ll struggle to hit MPGs in the low-20s, and today, that simply doesn’t cut it. A twin-turbo engine would likely be duller in response than Jag’s live-wire supercharged V8, but it will generate better fuel economy numbers.
Additionally, as Automobile’s report says, V8s are becoming somewhat of a “specialty engine,” so deals between manufactures will become increasingly necessary for its survival. JLR will eventually have to replace the supercharged V8, but developing a new turbo’d engine on its own would be prohibitively expensive. A partnership with BMW affords JLR a V8 for all its high-performance cars, and helps BMW justify the cost of developing what is, frankly, a dinosaur. A glorious dinosaur, but a dinosaur all the same.
If this rumor is indeed true, it’s ultimately a good thing, since no enthusiast wants to see the death of the V8. It would be bittersweet, though, to see JLR’s 5.0-liter supercharged V8 depart because, well, just listen to it.
