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Dr Mark White* looks at the challenge with light weight vehicles
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has a long history of using aluminium. Early models for both brands used aluminium as part of light- weighting to ensure on and off road attribute performance were amongst the best in the industry. However, most of these applications were low volume and utilised niche-manufacturing technology.
The challenge with the current JLR Light Weight Vehicle (LWV) strategy, which began in the 1990's, was to develop a high volume solution, which benchmarked steel for quality and hours per car, for the lowest incremental cost to the body and chassis.
Since the introduction of the first JLR LWVs in 2003 with the Jaguar XJ, JLR has produced six new LWV programmes in just over 10 years and is now the largest producer of aluminium intensive vehicles in the automotive world. We have just announced the latest LWV with the new Jaguar XE, and using innovative processes to ensure minimum waste and optimum recyclability, we are now considerably reducing C02 output within the manufacturing process.
As part of its approach to sustainability, JLR's LWV strategy takes a holistic approach to C02 reduction. This is achieved using linked approaches for significant weight reduction in the primary body and chassis systems coupled with improved aerodynamics, aided by powertrain matching and related secondary weight saves throughout the vehicle systems. We also maximise recycled material usage and lower energy consumption in the manufacturing stage. The overall result is a stepped change in the carbon footprint of JLR vehicles verified through Life Cycle Analysis tools (by the Vehicle Certification Authority). This approach saves up to 10 tons of carbon for every vehicle produced over the vehicles life* ** (almost a 15% reduction in real terms).
The body and...