Jaguar F-Type: confirmed
Jaguar F-Type confirmed for production; world asks 'what took you so long?'
About bloody time too!
Rumours of a sportier, Porsche-rivalling Jaguar have been doing the rounds for years - since the late 80s in fact. That project was an ill-fated successor to the XJ-S and, since then there have perioducally been concept cars and rumours reviving the idea of a small sports car, invariably dubbed 'F-Type' by someone. Almost exactly 10 years ago we ran a story saying 'F-Type delayed' and, while most times it's nice to be proved right, nobody could have predicted that delay would stretch to a decade!
The F-Type label of course carries huge emotional baggage for Jaguar - cue the 'spiritual successor to the E-Type' headlines - and Jaguar accepts that this is "a market segment that we have been absent from for too long." Hallmark says "the core appeal of Jaguar's cars is their sporting heart and that heart will beat stronger than ever before in the F-Type."
A more measured view - he's been taking his time over it after all - can be found from design boss Ian Callum, who's mused several times over the years on what the F-Type should be. Discussing the C-X16 concept on PH last year, Callum recognised that the car would need a harder sporting edge. Later in the year PH joined Callum for a talk where he acknowledged that the E-Type's legacy was "a cloud over his head" but hinted that light weight and agility were, perhaps, of greater relevance for future Jaguar sports cars than outright top speedbragging rights.
Hard facts? Limited so far, but the pre-show release boasts that the F-Type will launch not as a C-X16 style coupe but as a convertible "utilising Jaguar's industry leading knowledge of all-aluminium construction." It goes on to say, "A range of petrol engines will be available - including a new powerplant family - and all will deliver stunning sports car performance."
So will it get the full-monty, KERS-enhanced 475hp promised when the C-X16concept was first shown last year? To be confirmed, but the heart of the F-Type is more likely to be rather more conventional and based on a V6 version of Jaguar's AJ-V8, possibly supercharged to 380hp if it makes good on Jaguar's promises for the petrol-powered half of the C-X16's hybrid powertrain.
According to the release, the F-Type's development schedule has now moved to on-road testing so if you live anywhere near Jaguar's Castle Bromwich plant where the car will eventually be built expect to see stickered-up prototypes like the one in the pictures in your area soon.
Full technical details will be released later in the year and, after keeping us waiting more than long enough, now we really can't wait!
Related C_X16 and F-Type stories...
LA show: Jaguar and Land Rover
Jaguar and the future of fast cars
Pic of the Week: Jaguar C-X16
New Jaguar C-X16 concept gets 'KERS'
Jaguar's triple sports car treat
F-Type delayed
Jaguar plans new sports car concept for the Paris show
Although this is going to have to be stonking to be better than a Boxster. Even if it isn't, it will sell by the bucket load.
Jag really are on a roll at the moment, long may it continue!
Anyway, certainly good for a Jag to actually get confirmed rather than the dozen concepts they seem to produce every month that never make it to production, like the afore mentioned XK180 Looking past the camouflage it looks like a decent shape too though Jags of late have been rather easy on the eye (bar perhaps the XJ). Guess it'll be to the XK what the Vantage is to the DB9, looking forward to seeing the un-camo'd pics
Porsche have stuck with the same simular design for the 911 over the years.
Ford built a new GT40 back in 2005 and it sold.
BMW has the new Mini which will continue to sell by the bucket load.
Build a modern E Type which looks like an E Type but slightly more modern.
Bingo a sales success.
DB7 was based on an XJ-S floorpan and running gear and I6 engine.
DB7 was based on an XJ-S floorpan and running gear and I6 engine.
DB7 was based on an XJ-S floorpan and running gear and I6 engine.
preferr this version
loved the curved screen
All depends on the pricing points and performance now. If they can give 350bhp as base and 450bhp or more (please put a blower on it) at "R" spec and keep the price between high 40's and high 50's I think Porsche will feel a draft.
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