Like all the world’s automakers, Jaguar Land Rover is working hard to build cleaner cars. The European Commission’s emissions mandate requires a 20% reduction in fleetwide emissions by 2015. The venerable British brand isn’t exactly famous for fuel-efficient models – the rugged Defender safari mobile and Inspector Morse’s enormous red Mark 2 come to mind.

Wolfgang Epple, the company’s head of research and technology, told Automotive News that the company is looking for a partner to develop a new hybrid powertrain. No further details are on offer at this point. Epple has worked on electrified powertrains for GM, BMW and Chrysler.

JLR did unveil its Range Rover Hybrid last month at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. The new model has a 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine, a 47-horsepower electric motor and a fuel economy rating of about 37 mpg, and it’s scheduled to go into production in 2014. The company also has an all-electric version of the Defender in real-world trials.

Source: Automotive News via  AutoBlog Green