JLR unveils F-Type Coupe, nine-speed Evoque, Project 7 and C-X17 SUV at 2014 Auto Expo

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Jaguar Land Rover at the 2014 Auto Expo has unveiled a multitude of products across both manufacturers as a part of its display. The line-up from Jaguar includes the F-type Coupe, C-X17 SUV and Project 7 race car while its SUV counterpart unveiled the Long wheelbase Range Rover and the Nine-speed gearbox Evoque.

The Jaguar F-Type Coupe shares much of its DNA with the roadster and this includes the underpinnings, engine options and even the same overall design.  It gets an all-aluminium body with a gentle sloping roof that extends all the way to the rear end much like the C-X16 concept car that was unveiled in 2011.

The interiors are exactly the same as the open top car which means this list includes leather upholstery, touch screen music system and an asymmetric center stack featuring a prominent grab handle.

The engine options for the Coupe are the same as the roadster, which means that the list includes 3.0-litre V6 that powers both the base and the S version. In the former it produces 340bhp and 450Nm of torque, while the S version does 380bhp and 460Nm of torque. The top-of-the-line V8S will now be called the F-Type R and will make use of the same 5.0-litre supercharged V8 that produces 550bhp and 680Nm of torque. All engines have been mated to the ZF eight-speed gearbox.  

The Jaguar C-X17 is a premium all-wheel-drive SUV and is the first time that the British luxury car maker is venturing into a new segment in its 50 year plus heritage. The move by them to make an SUV seems well timed as there has been a major trend in people buying SUVs across various segments and sizes.

It shares much of its design with the XF sedan and this includes external features as well as the entire layout of the cabin as well as the features offered with it. The concept car is powered by the 5.0-litre V8 petrol but we expect that this vehicle will also be offered with a variety of smaller diesel and petrol engines.

The Project 7 race car is a one off machine that was built for the 2013 edition of the Goodwood Festival of Speed. It has been painted in a combination of white and blue and sports large black 17-inch alloy wheels. The car is a single seater built with the purpose of pure speed and cornering ability. While the company has not revealed the details, it is likely that most of the body is comprised of a combination of aluminium and carbon fibre. 

It is powered by the British automaker’s top of the line 5.0-litre V8 that produces 550bhp and 700Nm of torque. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Jaguar has also announced that it will start local production of the 3.0-litre diesel and 2.0-litre petrol version of the XJ L in the Indian market. 

 Land Rover

Land Rover has brought two major concepts to the Auto Expo. The first is the Evoque that has been equipped with a nine-speed gearbox. Dubbed the ZF 9HP, it is one of the most advanced systems to be brought into production and is expected to find major use in transverse engined vehicles as well as for off-roading.

The increase in ratios improves fuel-efficiency as well as reduces emissions.  Due to the close nature of the gear ratios, the acceleration will improve as will the quality of ride. The ratios at the lower end are also much closer than before and this is expected to improve response of the engine during activities like off-roading and towing. The new gearbox has been fitted with a skip-shift function which allows the driver to skip a gear during heavy deceleration or rapid downshifting.