Autoblog

Click on images to view the LRX and F-Type concepts in hi-res

Tata may have spent a huge sum of money in the acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford's Premier Automotive Group, but that won't stop the Indian automaker from approving funding for new projects for its newly-acquired babies.

Among the new vehicles for which Tata has reportedly already given the green light are the Jaguar XE and Land Rover LRX. As we previously reported, the sports car known internally as the XE or F-Type will target the likes of the Porsche 911 and face competition from the upcoming Maserati sportscar in 2012 when it is anticipated to hit the market. Around the same time, Land Rover is expected to bring the LRX to market and produce the sporty ute at Land Rover's plant in Halewood, England. Despite the shift in ownership, the vehicles are tipped to still be produced in the UK, although a large government contract to supply India's armed forces with Land Rover Defenders could result in local manufacturing of that utility vehicle on the subcontinent.



[Source: 4Car]

With the sale of Jaguar and Land Rover really, truly official, it hasn't taken long for every automotive news outlet to come out with its own take on the future of both storied marques.

Autoweek distilled Jaguar and Land Rover's product offerings over the next eight years into about 800 words, beginning with the 2009 Jaguar XFR and XKR. According to its sources, both of these high-performance cats will be powered by all-new 5.0-liter, direct-injected V8s, with the naturally aspirated version producing 380 hp and the supercharged variant knocking on the 500 hp ceiling. Jag is expected to fit the new ZF seven-speed automatic 'box to both models, while the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport will get a mild facelift and benefit from the duo of upgraded powerplants.

Come 2010, the Jag XJ will get an XF-inspired facelift, but will still maintain its regal lines and luxo-cruiser status. The X-type will finally meet its timely demise, while the LR3 will get a nip and a tuck along with the aforementioned 380-hp, 5.0-liter DI V8. By 2011, the LRX will make its production debut, with a possible hybrid version coming later in its lifecycle, along with a seven-seat variant in 2012. That same year, Tata is hoping to release a successor to the F-Type. Based off either the XF or XK platform, the two-seat sports car may finally realize the concept that we saw back in 2000. After that, it's all about refreshes and new variations, including an XF coupe, a new Range Rover that will be chock full of luxuries and carrying a hefty price tag ($200k?!), along with all-new versions of the XF, XJ, Range Rover, and finally, a seriously revised Defender that could underpin the next LR3.

AutoCar's take on the future of Jag and LR is a similar story, with less prognostication about products and more about business practices and platform sharing. You can read all three articles by following the source links below.

[Sources: Autoweek, AutoCar (1) (2)]

According to Automotive News, the deal is done. Today Ford signed a deal with India-based Tata Motors to sell its Jaguar and Land Rover brands for over $2 billion. Ford will supposedly announce the deal officially tomorrow (Wednesday), but sources close to the transaction say the receipt's already been printed, so to speak. While details are scarce, AN does mention that Ford will pump around $598 million into the pension funds for each brand as it sends them on their way. We're waiting to hear more details about how Ford will continue to supply engines and components for these vehicles, for how long and how much. Right now, however, mum's the word, as the Blue Oval has only said that, "our first responsibility is to communicate with our employees." Sorry if they heard it here first, but then again, they should be working now, not reading Autoblog. Right? Right.

UPDATE: Just-auto puts the price tag at $2.65 billion, and reveals we should have official news from Ford before the NYSE opens tomorrow morning.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

Britain's Birmingham Post newspaper has gone out on a limb and reported that Tata Motors will be named the winning bid for Jaguar and Land Rover as soon as tomorrow – Friday, December 21st. Neither the seller, Ford, nor the buyer, Tata, have confirmed that an announcement will be made tomorrow, and in fact Ford has repeatedly said that a buyer will not be named until early next year. The British paper reiterates the same estimate we've heard before, that Tata will be doling out around £1 billion, or $2 billion USD, for the right to own these two storied brands. Of course, we'll let you know tomorrow if the announcement does actually happen.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]