Jaguar Land Rover DIESEL offensive in the USA

Jaguar Land Rover are launching a diesel engine offensive in the US, with diesel versions of the Range Rover and Sport revealed and more to follow.

Car buyers in the USA have not been seduced by the joys of modern diesel engines, and although car makers continue to try and tempt US buyers with diesel engines, the take-up has been poor.

That’s because diesel costs more and fuel prices in the USA are very low compared to Europe, but recent rises in fuel prices has seen a flicker of light for diesel sales in North America.

That’s no doubt why Jaguar Land Rover has decided to launch a diesel model offensive in the US, starting with diesel-engined versions of the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport (pictured above). A plan that was no doubt hatched before oil prices dropped by half in recent months. Which is a bit of a shame.

Still, the plan’s in place and the offensive starts with the TDV6 engine for the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport (for some reason Land Rover aren’t offering the far more appealing SDV6 – we can only assume it doesn’t meet US regs).

Joe Eberhardt, CEO JLRNorth America, said:

We intend to roll out fuel-efficient diesel powered vehicles across Jaguar and Land Rover lineups on virtually every model over the next 3 years.

Starting with the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport Td6 Diesel, this Fall, almost every vehicle in the Jaguar and Land Rover line up will offer an optional diesel powertrain delivering anywhere from 20 to 30 percent improvement in fuel economy versus the comparable gasoline version.

The diesel Range Rovers and Sports will be followed by diesel-engined versions of the Jaguar XE and new Jaguar F-Pace Crossover, with the only JLR model not likely to offer a diesel engine option being the Jaguar F-Type.

It’s an understandable move to try and turn US car buyers on to diesel power, it’s just a shame the timing is about the worst it could have been.