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Is it the end of the road for JLR's D8 platform?

22nd June 2024, 17:06 by Brij Gawde

Tata's further plans are only on ALFARC platform on which the ICE Sierra will also be based and the EVs that will be based on Acti.ev and JLR's EMA architecture for the Avinya brand.

BHPian DRPSREDDY recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Tata Motors proudly brought the D8 platform from JLR that Discovery was based on for the next gen SUVs that are now launched as Harrier and Safari.

Both these cars are doing good. But what next? Tata Motors had announced that there would be more variations of the platform that spin out a sedan, a coupe, or an MPV.

But it seems Tata has lost much focus on more products except to get a 1.5L petrol powertrain and an EV out of the platform. The current and only Fiat-derived powertrain 2.0L Kryotech engine is the current sole engine. This engine is clearly unrefined, underpowered, and outdated in today's terms. Fiat seemed to have asked a bomb to retune the engine with a hike in torque or alternatively asked to choose the 2.2L engine instead which will take the costs off the roof. Fiat (or Stellantis) reportedly stopped working further on diesel engines and is planning to get in Hybrids for next-gen SUVs. Tata is clearly caught off guard as they did not invest in their own engines and rather banked on European partners who foot expensive engineering bills that are not feasible for Tata.

Tata's further plans are only on the ALFARC platform on which the ICE Sierra will also be based and the EVs will be based on Acti. ev and JLR's EMA architecture for the Avinya brand. As of now, no new car seems to be planned that is based on the D8 as it requires a larger, 1.6-2.0L petrol powertrain or Hybrids that TATAs lack or are not interested in developing. They have also haulted the turbocharged variants of the 2.2 varicor engine that just turned reliable with Hexa.

So this seems to be the end of the JLR D8 platform.

Here's what BHPian shortbread had to say on the matter:

Perhaps the answer for future powertrain options comes from JLR as well.
Considering the localisation drive for the JLR lineup recently announced, which will include assembling the Ingenium engines in India (confirmed by Rory O'Murchu JLR's Product Line Director in his Autocar interview) this year. 5 years ago, this might have been farfetched, but now it makes sense. Mahindra has really raised the bar for powertrains in the segment and Tata could really do with the Ingenium's specs. Perhaps reserve the top state of tune for the JLR's India lineup and reserve the lower ones for Tata.
This also resolves the biggest gap in its powertrain lineup, Petrol engines. The current sales of Harrier and Safari are diesel only, a fact that's often overlooked when discussing sales volumes.
Ingenium family has a comprehensive line-up of 3 & 4cyl engines:
PETROL - AJ150 & AJ200
Inline 3: 1.5 L
260 Nm, 160 Ps
Inline 4: 2.0 L
320 Nm, 200 Ps
365 Nm, 250 Ps
400 Nm, 300 Ps
DIESEL - AJ200D
Inline 4: 2.0 L
380 Nm, 163 Ps
430 Nm, 180 Ps
430 Nm, 200 Ps
500 Nm, 240 Ps
The volumes will help JLR's India operations and keep the money flow in-house rather than paying Fiat for its archaic units. The Ingenium engines have been around for some time, and after resolving its previous teething issues, these are proven units now. Instead of the expensive Aisin or ZF automatics JLRs use, continue with the localised Hyundai autos.
This makes better sense than Tata spending time and resources on its own separate lineup of engines for its bigger cars.