Unravelling the JLR product portfolio

The Jaguar onslaught is spearheaded by the flagship XJ range powered by a variety of engines ranging from a 2.7 litre diesel, 3.0 and 4.2 litre naturally aspirated petrol engines and a monster of a 4.2 litre supercharged petrol engine churning out 416PS of power. All of this firepower is directly aimed at the likes of the 4.2 litre petrol Audi A8, Mercedes S 320 CDI and S350 and more importantly the BMW 7-series offered with similar engine configurations as the Jag. Next in line is the Jaguar XK pitted against the sporty BMW 6-Series Coupe and Convertible, Mercedes SL 350 and the mighty Porsche 911, while the supercharged XKR takes on the BMW M6 and Aston Martin Vantage in European markets. Next in the pecking order is the XF range of Jaguar luxury sedans with their 2.7 diesel, 3.0 and 4.2 litre petrol engines battling with most of the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes E-Class variants as well as the Audi A6. And then of course is the small X-type with its 2.0 and 2.2 litre diesel engines that falls directly in BMW 320d and Mercedes C 200/220 CDI territory. A 3.0 litre V6 engined variant of the X-type is also a great option for someone considering the Mercedes C 280 and the BMW 325i.

Land Rover's model structure shares similar diversification in the world of SUVs. The top of the line Range Rover is highly touted as one of the best off-roaders in the world and competes directly with the BMW X5 SE and Porsche Cayenne. The Range Rover's 3.7 litre diesel and 4.2 litre petrol engines also position the big SUV bang in between the Mercedes M 320 / 420 CDI and the petrol M 350 / 500. The Range Rover is also offered with a smaller 'Sport' version that is powered by a 2.7 litre diesel as one of its options. The same 190 PS engine also powers the Land Rover Discovery 3 which is a nice mix of luxury and rugged off-road credibility contending the likes of Volvo's XC90 and the sales heavyweights - the Toyota Land Cruiser and Nissan Pathfinder. Moving lower down the price bracket is the Freelander 2 soft roader that comes equipped with a 2.2 litre diesel and a 3.2 litre petrol engine much like the Honda CR-V, the Toyota RAV4 and the Subaru/Chevrolet Forester. The cheapest of the Land Rovers is the Defender with its 122PS 2.4 litre diesel engine that drops it in Jeep Commander and Grand Cherokee territory.