Fiat still interested in Jaguar and Land Rover technology

With the sale of Jaguar and Land Rover to India’s Tata Group expected to be announced within days, Italian giant Fiat may finally gain access to premium RWD and AWD technologies it’s always dreamt of. Fiat was one of the first carmakers rumored to be interested in buying Jaguar and Land Rover because of its desire to acquire new technologies for future rear-driving saloons and AWD SUV models.

Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne has once again confirmed the carmaker will seek to further its partnership with Tata once the sale of Jaguar and Land Rover. Last month Marchionne told Sunday Times reporters he hoped Tata would be successful in acquiring Jaguar and Land Rover and that the first application of Jaguar’s technology would be for a new high-end Alfa Romeo sedan.

Speaking with the Financial Times yesterday, Marchionne said Jaguar was just one option for RWD technology (Cadillac is another carmaker tipped to be involved with Fiat). "That is one option, as there are others, in terms of a rear-wheel drive option," he said.

Marchionne went on to explain that Land Rover and Jaguar's U.S. distribution network is another area of interest for Fiat, especially as it plans to relaunch the Alfa Romeo and Iveco brands in the world's biggest car market.