Tuesday 10th January 2017

New Jaguar F-Type Sport 400

Updated F-Type range gets visual tweaks, updated infotainment and limited run Sport 400 model

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Given we're running a Jaguar F-Type S Coupe on the PH Fleet at the moment news of a range of updates for the 2018 model year (in this Detroit week we'll grant them the American terminology) is of particular interest.

Now comprising a total of 22 different models there's no lack of choice in the F-Type range, prices starting at £51,450 for the rear-wheel drive 340hp 3.0-litre V6 and stretching to £110,000 for the 575hp all-wheel drive SVR. You can have a Coupe or Convertible and - on certain models - the choice of manual or auto and option for rear- or all-wheel drive. And at the centre of it all a new 400hp Sport 400 model, which will be built for just one year and adds a welcome boost over the 380hp V6 of 'our' long-termer.

Visual changes include the usual stuff of new colours, trims and wheels with all models dropping the shark-like vertical strake in the front bumper intakes and adopting an SVR-style single one. V8s get a horizontal line across them to mark them out from V6s, there are new headlights and a new R-Dynamic model adds black trim (AKA 'PH spec'?) and a few other bits and bobs to mark it out.

Confused? Let's try and make sense of it. Standard V6 models are available in 340hp and 380hp with the choice of manual or eight-speed automatic and in rear-wheel drive form as standard. The 380hp version adds a mechanical limited-slip diff and the option of AWD but only with the automatic. R-Dynamic spec is available on both V6s. The Sport 400 gets the upgraded power, a plethora of trim additions, the bigger Super Performance brake option, Configurable Dynamics for the steering and adaptive dampers and dark grey 20-inch wheels. Pricing starts at £70,115.

The 550hp V8 R is now AWD and automatic only (oversteer addicts wanting a rear-driven V8 get your orders in fast for the current car) and starts at £89,980 and the SVR carries on as-was.

If you've been reading our updates on the current S version you'll be aware we've been moaning about the somewhat outdated infotainment interface; the good news is this has been upgraded to the latest Touch Pro system with new graphics, more functions and greater connectivity. This is standard across the range, with options to add additional features as you go. One includes a new GoPro function called ReRun, an app-based feature that overlays graphics and data onto your heroic footage and helps prove to your track day buddies that, yes, you really were flat through Flugplatz.

Other changes include a new magnesium framed slimline seat that both saves weight and adds a further 50mm of travel to accommodate powerfully built types. It's available in Sport and Performance versions, the latter standard on Sport 400 and SVR.

Updated LED Adaptive Front Lighting also features and has four modes through which it can cycle, including wider beamed City to pick up pedestrians and cyclists, Bad Weather, Country and Motorway. Interestingly it switches automatically to the latter with its longer, narrower beam above 56mph which could present challenges for those seeking to make late night progress along sweeping A-roads...

Promising stuff on the whole and, like the GTS version of the 911 announced yesterday, the 400 Sport sounds like a particularly appealing 'best of' compilation of the V6 F-Type's most appealing bits, though it's a shame we've been denied the manual option. Either way, we look forward to trying it out as soon as possible!

[HeMightBeBanned]

Don't like the new front end. They tweaks are slowly turning an attractive car into a far less attractive one.

[jamespink]

What a handsome Jaguar! And whats this? A built in nav system that actually looks built in, such a change from the add on "cheap mini tablet" look from Mercedes...

[Cotic]

So, is the Sport 400 auto only? Doesn't really mention it in the article until the last paragraph...

Pity, 'cos I prefer the manual V6 from the auto V8, and a bit more power is always nice to have.

[unpc]

I heard this was coming a couple of years back but disappointed to see it's a limited run model. Article doesn't say how many though. Probably limited to the number they can sell

[LukeyC]

"The 550hp V8 R is, as before, AWD and automatic only and starts at £89,980 and the SVR carries on as-was."

Is this right? You can still configure a V8R in RWD on the website.

[British Beef]

For that money I would take the Evora 410. Which has some real upgrades and tangible performance gains / weight loss. Has had real effort put into its conceptions, rather than just a marketing gimic, which this appears to be.

It amazes me that the one thing the F type needs more than anything else is LESS weight.

Yet, basically they offer different trims and engines, suspension, gearboxes but all in a lardy arse of a car - albeit a very handsome one!

[Dan Trent]

LukeyC said:

"The 550hp V8 R is, as before, AWD and automatic only and starts at £89,980 and the SVR carries on as-was."

Is this right? You can still configure a V8R in RWD on the website.

Apologies; mis-read the existing pricelist and you're quite right - you can still get a RWD V8 R. But best hurry if that's what you're after!

Dan

[Digga]

I think the F-Type is, without doubt, the best production car jaguar have made since the E-type, no doubt, hands down. This new tinkering with the design does not change my opinion one bit, the tweeks give it an air of brutality (akin to the difference between a standard 911 and a turbo) which suits nicely. jags always were for thugs, even if they were also gentlemen. 11/10

[JonnyVTEC]

British Beef said:

For that money I would take the Evora 410. Which has some real upgrades and tangible performance gains / weight loss. Has had real effort put into its conceptions, rather than just a marketing gimic, which this appears to be.

It amazes me that the one thing the F type needs more than anything else is LESS weight.

Yet, basically they offer different trims and engines, suspension, gearboxes but all in a lardy arse of a car - albeit a very handsome one!

They mention the slimline seats, more travel and 8kg lighter.

[GroundEffect]

British Beef said:

For that money I would take the Evora 410. Which has some real upgrades and tangible performance gains / weight loss. Has had real effort put into its conceptions, rather than just a marketing gimic, which this appears to be.

It amazes me that the one thing the F type needs more than anything else is LESS weight.

Yet, basically they offer different trims and engines, suspension, gearboxes but all in a lardy arse of a car - albeit a very handsome one!

Jaguar are a luxury sports brand. You don't sell luxury cars by removing loads of nice stuff that makes the car have worse NVH.

To me the Sport 400 is the best idea they could have come up with.

[Beefmeister]

I know this is silly, but one thing I love about JLR is that they reveal a car and it's available on the Configurator straight away.

The updated F-Type is on there and the new Discovery was on the moment it was revealed.

Unlike Audi who inexplicably still don't have the TT-RS on theirs, despite them being on the road already.

[Digga]

Beefmeister said:

I know this is silly, but one thing I love about JLR is that they reveal a car and it's available on the Configurator straight away.

The updated F-Type is on there and the new Discovery was on the moment it was revealed.

JLR are really working hard on their part of their IT. You cannot 'see' all of the advances and some have yet to roll out, but they are very much pushing the boundaries in this regard. I only know all this because it is one of the things Mrs Digga has been involved with.

[Ex Boy Racer]

It's a shame that what is a basically lovely design has so much tatty detail put onto it. It was the case at the start and this makes it worse.

Callum seemed to avoid this with his Aston designs (though they also now have tat overload) and has always talked about the importance of form. Too many stripes, vents, holes etc IMO

[SevenR]

Lovely looking car. still wows when I see one on the road.

[nicholasm]

This could be why the TT RS doesn't appear on Audi's configurator:
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/german-cars/audi-t...

Beefmeister said:

I know this is silly, but one thing I love about JLR is that they reveal a car and it's available on the Configurator straight away.

The updated F-Type is on there and the new Discovery was on the moment it was revealed.

Unlike Audi who inexplicably still don't have the TT-RS on theirs, despite them being on the road already.

[Beefmeister]

nicholasm said:

This could be why the TT RS doesn't appear on Audi's configurator:
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/german-cars/audi-t...

Beefmeister said:

I know this is silly, but one thing I love about JLR is that they reveal a car and it's available on the Configurator straight away.

The updated F-Type is on there and the new Discovery was on the moment it was revealed.

Unlike Audi who inexplicably still don't have the TT-RS on theirs, despite them being on the road already.

Well batter my balls and call me Susan I didn't know that. How strange!

[Striple]

the silver one looks classy, the red one looks a bit much. cant argue with the engines tho

[cib24]

Really nice GT-type car and this is probably the best model of the lot. Very handsome-looking but wish it was a few KGs lighter to make it more sporty.

[havoc]

cib24 said:

Really nice GT-type car and this is probably the best model of the lot. Very handsome-looking but wish it was a few KGs lighter to make it more sporty.

That would have required some real engineering investment, rather than developing it on the cheap out of big brother's floorpan and big brother's engine block...

JLR keep marketing "lightweight..." as their mantra, yet their saloons are no lighter than the competition while their sports cars appear to be made out of trans-uranics...

[Hammerhead]

havoc said:

That would have required some real engineering investment, rather than developing it on the cheap out of big brother's floorpan and big brother's engine block...

Weird that the F-type is actually heavier than the larger, plusher XK it borrowed from.