I’m an unabashed lover of Jaguar. I don’t care how unreliable they used to be, I don’t care that their technology is two generations behind the Germans and I don’t care that most Jaguar owners skip paying the bill at dinner. I love the brand, its heritage and its cars. If I could afford one, an F-Type would be in my driveway without even considering a BMW M4. So the idea that two of my favorite brands are going to be working together in the future is very exciting.
If you haven’t already heard, BMW and Jaguar have finalized a deal that will see the Bavarians supply the Brits with internal combustion engines, both gasoline and diesel, as well as plug-in hybrid powertrains. At the same time, the two brands will work together on electric powertrains. It’s a great deal for both brands. For BMW, it gets some help from a maker of one of the best EVs on the market — the Jaguar I-Pace — and for Jaguar, it gets some of the best engines on the planet without having to spend R&D that could be spent on EV platforms and tech.
Personally, I love this. While some classic Jaguar engines will always have a place in my heart, it’s no secret that they weren’t ever as reliable as those from Zee Germans. In Jaguar’s defense, its engines have been very good as of late. However, the brand’s relatively small R&D budget has made it rely on older engines for too long and that seem to always been out-powered by their more modern rivals. For instance, my beloved F-Type is easily out-muscled by almost every German in its class, regardless of engine choice.
With BMW engines that are among the very best in the world, the brand will be able to focus on what it does best; make stunning cars that drive with a grace and fluidity that isn’t matched in the industry, that Grace, Space and Pace mantra that’s made Jags so endearing for almost decades and decades. So I love this new deal and partnership between two of my favorite brands and I think it’s going to help both in the long run. Now, if only Jaguar could lend BMW some styling tips as well…
“Now, if only Jaguar could lend BMW some styling tips as well…”
That, I can agree with. I have never been a fan of Jaguar, though. Sure, when I was young, I used to think they were cool, especially, the one our neigbour owned back in the day.
My brother, on the other hand, is a die-hard fan. We both grew up on BMW (my father’s second car) but he chooses a Jag over a Bimmer.
Rather like their new model a few years ago was going to eat into 3 Series because it rode and handled so much better. The 5 Series has not been affected by Jaguar either.
Ihope they get it together, but they do not have the capital.
Agree, the jags are great handling cars for the most part.
The gremlins that almost every reviewer speaks of I can attest to when it comes to my brother’s car. He loves the car but has headaches of mechanical issues that would make me go crazy.
The last issue I had on my E90 was the cracked rear subframe last year, and before that it was rather smooth sailing. I have had to change the fuel pump a few years back, which I would regard as part of the normal wear and tear.
I never have heard of a cracked rear sub frame on an E90 before. Actually any BMW as in the old Z3 and E46 the problem was the chassis mounting points.
I have read of a few, actually. I personally even know of lady’s E46 that suffered from that.
Interesting. Most I have read about have been a failure and/or corrosion around the chassis mounting locations where they bolt through.
Car companies with mergers and tech sharing or future bankruptcies. Switching to an all new infrastructure, EV’s, and self driving will cost billions. Many auto companies must depend on 3rd party suppliers(bottlenecks) for their batteries. These 3rd party suppliers take a huge junk of profits.
Glad BMW working with MB on self driving
I loved the F-Type but did mention to a few people that it would have been perfect with an M4 powertrain!! Very exciting times ahead then. I have both brands in the garage and love them for so many different reasons!!!
Exactly said. If Jaguar could help BMW with the design, it will be spot on. I am not fan of BMW’s late-design adoption.
BMW’s design chief has been with co. 3 decades, Jag just lost theirs. BMW’s model range is the more handsome of the 2, 8 GC alone.
The last great Jaguars of any design note were the 3.8 Mk2 Saloons; possibly the XJ6 and of course the iconic E Type which car designers all over the world still praise as definitive. As for engines – well maybe the v12. As for the rest Jaguar has always had difficulty with engines relying on Ford and and now the Ingenium motor in conjunction with China Chery. Jaguar somehow needs a proper engine maker and BMW with its world renowned engine pedigree is a great choice. Who would have thought German engines in a “British” motor car but that’s EU for you – and Peugeot French engines in a Mini. Some say its progress however!
Well, i have to disagree. I have an F type with s/c 5.0. It is a bullet proof beast of an engine with instant torque. I also had BMW X550 with the 4.4l TT hot V engine. Trouble. Runs hot, heat degrades valve guide seal. Consumes 1qt oil per 1000 miles at best. A known behavior, don’t just my experience. Check it out. I loved the 3.0l TT engine in my BMW135 Dinan stage 2 track car. So BMW can build a straight 6.
Imho, Jaguar should use the MB 4.0 V8 TT. Much better engine.
Aren’t AMG already supplying Aston? BMW & Jag are working together on BEV R&D, isn’t ICE a logical extension? Their partner Range Rover used BMW V8s 4 yrs., as did Bentley.
Yes. Amg supply their 4.0 twin turbo V8 for the Astons. Great decision by Aston imho.
By selling engines they can’t design, engineer & manufacture themselves?! @ a premium? Why buy Aston?
I really like BMWs and would strongly consider a new M5, an awesome car. But my experiences with the N63 engine, and the class action law suite against BMW for overheating, excessive oil consumption, etc. I am very leary about buying an M5 with the S63 engine. What a shame that Jag may replace the well proven Ford 5.0 s/c engine with the S63. Of course a major driver would be meeting European emission standards. But the AMG 4.0 can do that, even though I’m no M-B fan.
Better tell Toyota, not only are they buying BMW drivetrains, they’re being built on same assembly lines. How much of the reliability issue is fuel pumps, which, as with air bags, is a supplier issue & not confined to BMW? Does “well proven”=old?
Well I still like BMW and their sporting roots. Have completed their 2 day M Class in Spartanburg 3 times. Highly recommended, and their cars can take a beating on the track. My 135 M w/Dinan stage 2 was a bullet proof track car. . My only concern is with their 4.4 V8 tt hot V architecture and its heat management issues. I would never own one again, unless it is proven that they get the high oil consumption and other issues under control. It would also help if they could make them sound a bit better. AMG can do it.
Daimler bought AMG because they couldn’t compete with M, Ford ruined Aston (as they tried to with Jag, fortunately Range Rover had already been upgraded by BMW). Given the # of BMW V8s produced in a variety of models, why isn’t this a larger issue?
The class action law suite against the 4.4 V8 might be a clue.
Vague & evasive. Disqus 4 the block.