Jaguar adds AWD, new four- and six-cylinder engines to 2013 lineup

Jaguar is offering the option of all-wheel drive on the XF and XJ sedans for 2013 models, and adds supercharged four- and six-cylinder engines to the XF.

Also, all automatic XF and XJ sedans will use a new eight-speed transmission from German supplier ZF, as Jaguar looks to boost the fuel economy of its vehicles.

Powertrains get the most significant changes for Jaguar in the 2013 model year. The U.K. luxury-car maker, owned by India's Tata Motors, launched a restyled XF sedan for the 2012 model year and a redesigned XJ sedan for 2011.

In the 2012 model year, XF buyers could choose only between naturally aspirated and supercharged versions of a 5.0-liter V8. For 2013, the XF's powertrain lineup ranges from a 240-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four to a 340-hp, supercharged 3.0-liter V6 to the 470-hp, supercharged 5.0-liter V8.

The turbocharged four-cylinder, rated at 251 lb-ft of torque, is shared with the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque SUV. Jaguar says the engine returns 29 mpg highway in the XF.

The supercharged V6 replaces the naturally aspirated V8 in the XF lineup. Jaguar says it delivers 28 mpg on the highway. The supercharged V6 is based on the same engine architecture as the supercharged V8.

The supercharged V6 is also the only engine available with the all-wheel-drive option. The system sends a small amount of drive torque to the front wheels at launch. On dry roads, most of the torque is sent to the rear wheels. Jaguar says the system can send up to 50 percent of the drive torque to the front wheels. In Winter mode, the system sends 30 percent drive torque to the front wheels.

The supercharged 3.0-liter V6 becomes the base engine for the XJ sedan for the 2013 model year. Buyers can also choose from naturally aspirated and supercharged V8 engines.

The XF and XJ will also offer optional start/stop technology to boost fuel economy.

The two-door Jaguar XK adds a Touring trim level for 2013. Jaguar says it will also offer another 100 copies each of the XKR-S coupe and convertible for U.S. buyers.

By Dale Jewett