With nearly every manufacturer on the planet at least dipping a pinky toe into greener waters, Jaguar’s lack of anything with a hybrid drivetrain sticks out like a sore thumb. It looks like our favorite leaping cap may be taking a long hard look at jumping into the EV game along with Land Rover. Whispers are beginning to dust up that both companies are interested in working together on an extended-range EV based on the next-generation XJ. While an electric motor would handle most of the hauling duties, there would be a small internal combustion engine on board to boost the vehicle’s range and allow the car to tackle long romps in the countryside.

So far details are painfully absent, but Autocar has gone so far as to say the electrified XJ will get its pep from a 194 horsepower motor with close to 295 lb-ft of torque. Depending on battery configuration the set up would allow for a range of around 600 miles at 57 mpg. Now here’s the really cool part – both Jag and Land Rover are turning to lotus for the range-extending engine. Could this be the first commercial application of that company’s Omnivore? Could be.

What does Land Rover get out of this deal? Eventually the company will benefit from the same technology, but exactly which model will get the electric treatment remains to be seen. In the mean time, we’re left wondering: will the XJ EV manage to maintain the performance credentials buyers have come to expect from Jaguar? I think the better question will be whether or not customers will be willing to jump into an EV from a company with a long and storied history of questionable electronics.

Source\ Autoblog