Under the guidance of new boss Carl-Peter Forster, Jaguar and Land Rover will work closely together to cut their combined lineup of vehicle platforms from the current six to just two over the next several years. The move will see the unlikely scenario of the next-generation Range Rover luxury SUV sharing the aluminum spaceframe architecture of the recently revealed 2010 Jaguar XJ sedan.

The beauty of the XJ’s platform is that it doesn’t have to be too extensively modified for application in the new Range Rover SUV.

According to Autocar, the floor and front crash structure will remain the same but the bulkheads, front and rear, will be made taller for the SUV. Other changes will include the addition of taller front strut towers to accommodate the taller ride height and greater wheel articulation.

Other models spawning from the modified XJ platform will be a new Jaguar roadster possibly dubbed the XE, as well as a rumored sportback five-door coupe.

The second platform that will be used by both Jaguar and Land Rover for its future models will be a modified version of the older Ford C1 platform. The conventional steel structure will be available in three different lengths and will spawn new models like the next-generation LR2, which will for the first time be available with a seven-seat option.

[Autocar]