Australian Jaguar Reply on the V8

[jagmag@ecn.net.au (Hughes graphics & Design)]

Before this whole subject of the new Jaguar V8 engine gets way out of 
control, and since Ned (edition #680) is quoting my writings in the 
Australian Jaguar Magazine I would like to correct what he probably has 
mis-interpretted in a well meaning way. His piece has been taken out of 
context which changes the whole focus of what I was saying, and I have been 
writing for a long time now in our magazine that this engine is entirely 
designed, developed and built by Jaguar (it is no secret that it is built 
the the Jaguar-only department in Ford's Bridgend plant) - and is NOT a Ford V8.

I saw the engine well into development and running at the Jaguar Engineering 
Department in Whitley back in early 1990, only a short time after Ford 
acquired Jaguar.  A little Ford engineering was ASKED for by Jaguar 
engineers to save 'inventing the wheel' and assist with meeting the time 
limit, but don't forget Sir William Lyons had Harry Weslake carry out 
further development work on his pushrod and XK engines - so don't be worried 
about Ford's input (which was to a very minimal degree).  Also remember that 
Jaguar have always brought in very many of its parts such as tail-lights for 
the 'Mk1' which were on the Morris Minor and other products, and used GM 
gearboxes more recently, so don't be too concerned if a minor part in a 
Jaguar might have an origin from a Ford or something else.

I have no bias to or against Ford, and like all of us, was very concerned 
when the takeover took place, but the facts are that Jaguar IS autonomous, 
now has the huge budget necessary to develop top quality new luxury cars 
(which it never had before), designs its own cars, builds them and has never 
turned out cars of such fine quality and reliability.

It is fine to be sceptical, but let's support our favourite marque and not 
start having unfounded rumours and scares which will do it no good at all.  
The loyalty which Jaguar engenders largely helped it get through the bad 
times under British Leyland and none of then could have imagined the future 
could be as exciting as it is right now.


LES. HUGHES
------------------------------ JAGUAR MAGAZINE ------------------------------
-----------------------http://www.firehorse.com/jaguar ------------------------
-------------------------email: jagmag@ecn.net.au -----------------------------

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