JLR to Switch to New Modular Platform

Jaguar Land Rover has announced plans to gradually switch to a new modular platform that it would use for the production of three new models. The company expects that using its new Modular Longitudinal Platform (MLA) will result in cost efficiencies. Currently, the company uses six platforms, including the D7U aluminum platform which is used for the manufacture of the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Discovery large SUVs, and the D7A aluminum platform for the Jaguar XF and XE sedans, Jaguar F-Pace SUV and the Range Rover Velar. It makes the Jaguar E-Pace, the Range Rover Evoque and the Land Rover Discovery Sport on the D8 steel platform, a heavily modified variant of a legacy Ford platform. The F-type sports car, I-Pace EV and the Jaguar XJ sedan are made on their individual platforms.

JLR is planning to transition to the new MLA platform from 2020, with the first vehicle that is made on the platform likely to be the upcoming Land Rover Defender. While making its announcement regarding the new platform, JLR said that the new platform would offer the benefits of greater flexibility, commonality, standardization and scale. The vehicles which are to made on the MLA platform can be mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid or full-electric vehicles.

For small new models, the D8 platform will continue to be used until the 2024-25 financial year, before the switch to the MLA architecture. Prior to that, JLR will further refine the D8 platform, which will be renamed as Premium Transverse Architecture (PTA), to incorporate plug-in hybrid and 48-volt mild hybrid models. The first model using this platform will be the new Range Rover Evoque, which will be launched at the retail level in 2019.

It is expected that the changes to the D8 platform will help JLT to cut CO2 emissions. In order to confirm to EU norms, JLR needs to reduce its CO2 emissions in Europe to 135 grams per kilometer CO2 by 2021. Currently, according to company statistics, this figure is 178g/km, the company said.

Another new technology that will be available with the new implementation of the new transverse engine architecture is a “see-through,” a video technology that will make it possible for the driver to see the ground directly ahead of the car on off-road trips.