JLR reengineers dashboard safety ‘backbone’ in its next gen vehicles

This engineering breakthrough is expected to cut over 50,000 tonnes of CO2 annually - equivalent to the average yearly energy use of around 17,000 UK homes- all without compromising the luxury and refinement for JLR’s clients. This reduction comes from eliminating magnesium from the crosscar beam, which is highly carbon intensive to produce, in favour of a much lower carbon solution.

Thomas Mueller, Executive Director of Product Engineering at JLR said, “This innovation is a testament to the ingenuity of our engineering, sustainability and supplier teams. By reimagining a component that’s hidden from view, we are able to reduce carbon emission from future vehicles, setting a new benchmark for sustainable architectures for our next generation of luxury cars - without compromising on safety or quality.”

Matthew Atkinson, Lead Research Engineer at JLR; “Redesigning a structural component like this isn’t just a straight materials swap - it’s a complex engineering challenge. Working collaboratively with our suppliers, we had to ensure the new hybrid material met exacting standards for safety, refinement and durability, while delivering a significant CO2 reduction. It’s a clear demonstration of how research and collaboration can drive meaningful sustainability improvements without compromise.”

Initially a research project with suppliers Celanese, CCP Gransden and Petford Group, the material underwent rigorous testing, proving that the hybrid structure combines the lightweight properties of fibre-reinforced plastic with the stiffness and strength of steel. Fibre-reinforced plastic can also be engineered to absorb energy effectively during impact, and when paired with steel, helps maintain the instrument panel’s structural integrity.

JLR’s cross-car beam innovation illustrates the luxury automotive’s  Reimagine strategy in action, aiming to deliver a sustainability rich vision of modern luxury by design.