Skip advert
Advertisement

Jaguar Land Rover launches new car body development cycle

JLR has entered a two-year material testing programme that will hopefully produce harder-wearing body panels for its future cars

Jaguar Land Rover has entered a two-year research programme that will see the brand use aerospace technology to assist the development of its next-generation vehicles.

The British company’s aims for the project are to produce bodyshells for its future models that are more resistant to corrosion and shock impacts. So far, the shortlist of materials includes a range of lightweight metal alloys and composite plastics – although JLR has yet to issue an itemised list of test substances.

To study the materials, JLR will build a sample of each into an aerospace-grade sensor which tests for humidity, surface temperature, corrosion, stress and contaminants such as dirt and salt. The sensor will then be strapped to a development vehicle and driven across 400,000km of North American wilderness to tease out any weaknesses.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The project also builds on Jaguar Land Rover’s research into recycling aluminium waste from household appliances and scrap vehicles into its vehicle bodies. The firm’s initial estimates suggest that the process could cut CO2 emissions from aluminium manufacturing by as much as 26 per cent over the current industry standard.

This recycling scheme is something that JLR is already implementing. Between September 2013 and March 2020, the company reprocessed around 360,000 tonnes of aluminium scrap back into its car body production.

JLR’s latest material research programme forms part of its ongoing Destination Zero strategy – the company’s vision for a future of motoring, with zero emissions, zero accidents and zero congestion. Several of the brand’s recent technological projects have fallen under the same banner, including its new contactless infotainment system, augmented reality head-up display and shift towards recycled plastic interiors, made from repurposed ocean waste.

Click here to take a closer look at Jaguar's design future…

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Controversial new Jaguar GT caught prowling in the snow
Jaguar Type 00 (camouflaged) - front 3/4 tracking

Controversial new Jaguar GT caught prowling in the snow

The latest spy shots provide more insight into what we can expect from this eagerly awaited EV
News
7 Feb 2025
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the biggest and most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
1 Jan 2025
It would be great to see Jaguar prove the doubters wrong in 2025
Jaguar Type 00

It would be great to see Jaguar prove the doubters wrong in 2025

Can Jaguar make its mark as a luxury, electric car brand in 2025? Editor, Paul Barker hopes so...
Opinion
27 Dec 2024
New Jaguar Type 00 teased further with rising rear ‘window’
Jaguar Type 00 Miami reveal event

New Jaguar Type 00 teased further with rising rear ‘window’

The Type 00 concept was unveiled weeks ago – although Jaguar isn’t finished with it just yet
News
23 Dec 2024

Most Popular

BMW X3 vs Lexus NX: which premium mid-size SUV takes top honours?
BMW X3 and Lexus NX - front tracking

BMW X3 vs Lexus NX: which premium mid-size SUV takes top honours?

BMW’s much-lauded new X3 is one of the best luxury compact SUVs on the market – but is it good enough to topple the cheaper hybrid-powered Lexus NX 35…
Car group tests
8 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: handsome, sporty Mazda CX-5 dips under £250 per month
Mazda CX-5

Car Deal of the Day: handsome, sporty Mazda CX-5 dips under £250 per month

The Mazda CX-5 is fun to drive, features a driver-focused, premium interior and is our Deal of the Day for 9 February
News
9 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Bag one of the last Jaguar I-Pace electric SUVs for under £400 a month
Jaguar I-Pace - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Bag one of the last Jaguar I-Pace electric SUVs for under £400 a month

The I-Pace shows how good an electric Jag can be. It’s our Deal of the Day for 7 February
News
7 Feb 2025

Find a car with the experts