Thursday 6th November 2014

Jaguar F-Type goes four-wheel drive

Winter's coming; an all-wheel drive F-Type might actually be a good idea [Updated with vid!]

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Hilarious though it can be in the right circumstances, the Jaguar F-Type R's surfeit of torque over traction may not exactly suit all customers at all times. Hence the arrival of the all-wheel drive F-Type.

Styling unchanged; fine by us!

Being a 2014 JLR launch, there was no danger of the latest F-Type model being announced to the world meekly. At the same time as the AWD F-Type Jaguar has confirmed its partnership with the Bloodhound SSC team. So how better to show the car than at the Hakskeen Pan desert in South Africa? Better than that, the F-Type 'was driven head-to-head at top speed with a... jet flown at 500 knots and just 50 feet above the ground'. Apparently this was to conduct to test of the radio communications that the SSC team will use to keep in touch with Andy Green. It's just a fortunate consequence that it also sounds amazing.

Apparently so caught up in flying jets towards the new car, Jaguar hasn't yet released too many details on the F-Type R AWD. We know it will reach 62mph in 3.9 seconds and the same 186mph limited top speed as the two-wheel drive car. Given Jaguar has said the F-Type range will expand from six models to 14 in 2015 we can probably surmise that means every coupe and convertible model will be offered with four-wheel drive. Are the final two derivatives a RWD coupe and convertible with four-cylinder engines? Or perhaps R-S version of both? Make your own guesses now! All will be confirmed at LA...

Apparently this was a very important test

We have been given some suggestion of the car's handling though. Jaguar's Vehicle Line Director Ian Hoban says of the AWD F-Type that the target "was to maintain the engaging rear-drive character... yet offer even greater dynamic capability". According to him the resulting V8 AWD version is "a controllable, exploitable and blisteringly fast performance car in all weather and road conditions". So it will probably still do the skiddy stuff, don't worry.

The F-Type AWD will be shown to the public at the LA show on November 19, where the rest of the 14-model F-Type range for 2015 will be detailed along with the full extent of Jaguar's partnership with Bloodhound. Low-flying jets are unconfirmed but we'll be there just in case!

Jag promo vid

[IN51GHT]

Why is this not on the front page of PH, Jaguars commitment to Bloodhound is a pretty big deal to us, not least from a financial viewpoint.

[CraigyMc]

IN51GHT said:

Why is this not on the front page of PH, Jaguars commitment to Bloodhound is a pretty big deal to us, not least from a financial viewpoint.

It is (now)

[Jim the Sunderer]

Puts me off buying one



in 15 years when they've depreciated enough.

[sanctum]

Lets see, Jaguar are just launching the Ingenium engine family from their new Wolverhampton facility. Wouldn't be surprised to see them put part of that family into the F-type.
Looking at the ageing XK, that got an R, RS and an RS-GT version thanks to the SVO department at Jag, can't see why they wouldn't do the same to the F-type.

Lovely car, so glad the 4 wheel drive is coming out. Fingers crossed they do put a 4 banger in and drop the price to something vaguely attainable.

[kambites]

Not the variant I'd choose, but looks like a sensible addition to the market.

[J8 SVG]

sanctum said:

Looking at the ageing deceased XK

[TWPC]

Car Mag reported that the engine in the 4wd F-Type is positioned higher than the 2wd model in order to accommodate front drive shafts and gubbins.

Higher CoG, more weight, more money etc etc... it wouldn't be my model of choice, but I guess it is good to have the choice.

The hardtop F-Type does look wonderful though. I haven't seen many around yet.

[Defconluke]

Just how heavy is this going to be? The F-Type isn't exactly a light car to start with.

[Blayney]

Is there a video? Or did I miss it?

edit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5x0owty4Tg

Edited by Blayney on Thursday 6th November 08:14

[gigglebug]

Jim the Sunderer said:

Puts me off buying one



in 15 years when they've depreciated enough.

I don't get this comment. If you've got to wait 15 years to afford one you're obviously not in the market for one in the first place and if AWD puts you off a car why not just buy the 2 wheel drive version instead??


TWPC

Car Mag reported that the engine in the 4wd F-Type is positioned higher than the 2wd model in order to accommodate front drive shafts and gubbins.

Higher CoG, more weight, more money etc etc...


This may well be the case but ask yourself this. What percentage of actual users (not professional journalists or ex racing drivers) would be able to feel the negative benefits of the higher COG and added weight in normal everyday driving (not thrashing it around a track with full opposite lock) compared to how many would would be able to feel the benefits of the added traction to help keep control all of that power?

[oldtimer2]

Sounds sensible to me and probably necessary for the USA and Canada to sell more. The addition of the new 4 cylinder looks like an obvious move to make too. Jaguar needs to buck up its US sales. They have been outsold by Maseratis in the past three months.

[jason61c]

IN51GHT said:

Why is this not on the front page of PH, Jaguars commitment to Bloodhound is a pretty big deal to us, not least from a financial viewpoint.

It gets more than enough coverage on here as it is.

[daveco]

Will be an interesting alternative to the GT-R and 911 Turbo.

Granted those two cars are far more focused dynamically, however the Jag looks and sounds better (V8 version).

[StottyEvo]

I really didn't see that one coming but I'm glad it did! I didn't think that 4wd would suit the ethos of the F-Type. I am wondering what the weight will come out as, and also the 0-60 time seems a little slow for 550hp ~1700kg and an auto box. Comparably it should be a similar performance to the Turbo S and GT-R.

[TSS]

daveco said:

Will be an interesting alternative to the GT-R and 911 Turbo.

AWD is a great idea for this car, and Car Magazine’s website mentions rumours of a manual version. I’m looking for a GT-R alternative and this sounds perfect to me!

[MyCC]

A manual is definitely coming as is 4 cylinder power, I know that much.

Regards,

MyCC.

[soad]

daveco said:

Will be an interesting alternative to the GT-R and 911 Turbo.

Granted those two cars are far more focused dynamically, however the Jag looks and sounds better (V8 version).

Don't forget RS5.

[esuuv]

The noise !!

[unpc]

MyCC said:

A manual is definitely coming as is 4 cylinder power, I know that much.

Regards,

MyCC.

What he says ^

There's a lot of new stuff coming to the F-Type. I'll take a RWD V6 manual thanks.

[RenesisEvo]

I'm a bit concerned some will get carried away in winter, 4WD can only do so much with those really wide summer tyres. But it's nice to see the option, it won't harm sales. But it does raise the question - has the industry got so carried away with heavy sportscars with large power outputs that 4WD is becoming a necessity? With yet more weight, more power is needed, and round it goes. You only have to look at what happened with the performance saloons now on the market to see the future, and it's not one I'm confident about for the interests of the driving enthusiast.

Personally I'd like to see a 4WD XE S estate, petrol or diesel. I'd prefer the XF in 4WD but I suspect that will be replaced/refreshed before that could happen.