Jaguar recently entered its XJ_e experimental plug-in hybrid into a competition in the United Kingdom known as the RAC (Royal Automobile Club) Future Car Challenge.
This challenge dubs itself “the world’s leading low-energy driving challenge.” The British automaker did well for itself at this event with this green car, being named “Most Energy Efficient Luxury Car Prototype” as well as winning a technical award of merit.
The XJ_e, in being entered in this event, used only .31 gallons of gas and 11 kWh of electricity as it drove a 63 mile course, equating what is said to be an equivalent fuel consumption of approximately 2.5-litres/100km or 112 miles per gallon. Three of the Jaguar prototypes apparently participated with nearly identical results, with assessors finding the total energy used by all three cars being within 0.5% of each other.
This plug-in hybrid, which was first introduced to the public back in July, replaced what was a 5.0-litre V8 engine with a hybrid powertrain consisting of an efficient 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injection gas engine, hybridized 8-speed automatic transmission, 69 kW motor/generator and a 12.3 kWh lithium Iion battery pack. It is designed to achieve a range of about 25 miles in all-electric mode and a maximum electric mode top speed of 75mph. Total driving range is said to be around 679 miles.
When the XJ_e is fully unleashed, it gets what Jaguar said normally is a fuel economy of 87 miles per gallon and a top speed of 150mph. Tailpipe emissions are 75g/km – a 70 percent improvement compared to the standard Jaguar XJ. The vehicle is an advanced research vehicle targeting best-in-class “low carbon premium products” and is partly funded by he UK Government’s Technology Strategy Board through the REEVolution project.
Besides the XJ_e, Jaguar has been busy of late showcasing its hybrid C-X16 concept as well as building a very limited, and uber expensive, run of its C-X75 hybrid supercar.
