Facelifted F-Type caught on video | Update

New footage of Jaguar's revised sports car suggests a V8 is present and correct - but which one?

JLR remains tight-lipped about what is said to be a far-reaching deal with BMW over new petrol (and diesel) engines - which makes the future deployment of German-built motors an intriguing prospect for the outsider. Case in point: the new F-Type, currently testing at the Nurburgring and expected in a showroom near you next year. Many tailpipes and all the right noises from one of the circling test mules suggest that a V8 will remain at the heart of the model's quicker variants - but whether or not the engine in question is JLR's familiar 5.0-litre supercharged unit or Munich's twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 is a matter for discussion.

Rumours have had the latter picked out for the new F-Type for a while - and we certainly know that the Ford factory in Bridgend responsible for supplying the former is due to close up shop in 2020. But if it's BMW's motor doing the pushing, Jaguar has done a remarkably good job of reproducing the huge soundtrack the old V8 is notorious for. It's also been suggested to PH that Gaydon's deal with Ford ought to see its supply of newly-built V8s last well into next year...

So is Jaguar planning on lowering the curtain on one engine? Or raising it for another? Either way, we're expecting a power hike for the range-topping SVR, currently at 575hp. Something close to (or beyond) 600hp would be an ideal way of keeping the F-Type welded to the back of the latest Porsche 911 and both engines are proven at that level. A boost to the most potent two-door Jaguar would have the added benefit of clearing some space to the new inline six-cylinder models expected to sit beneath it. They will of course earn the assistance of JLR’s 48v hybrid electric technology, expected to give the quickest versions an anticipated 400hp – as the British-built powerplant does in the Range Rover Sport HST.

With a 400hp output, Jag’s mid-range F-Type would also hold a comfortable advantage over the 340hp (or 370-380hp as rolling road tests have suggested) BMW Z4 M40i and identically-engined Toyota Supra. And thanks to the introduction of electrification, fuel economy and CO2 should also receive a sizeable cut, helping to enhance the Jag’s appeal into the 2020s. However, the lowest running costs will likely remain with the entry-level four cylinders, which are also confirmed in the video.

Original story - 02.07.2019

Jaguar is working to keep its F-Type fighting fit well into the next decade by giving it a significant facelift and substantial technical updates. Seen here testing with a new design at the Nurburgring, the car looks almost unrecognisable at the front with its longer overhang (probably thanks to the latest crash and pedestrian regs), lines borrowed from the I-Pace and, dare we say it, a face not too dissimilar to the first Audi R8’s. Things are far more familiar at the back and the profile, door and window lines of the F-Type’s aluminium structure are unmistakable, but the overall changes dwarf those applied at the last update in 2017.

It’ll be a similar story when it comes to the technical changes due for the 2020 car, because Jaguar will continue its phasing out of supercharged V6 power by swapping the F-Type’s bent six with the new inline one. The 3.0-litre Ingenium powerplant was first added to the Range Rover Sport HST where it uses 48v mild hybrid technology, which is also expected to be carried over the F-Type and could give it a decent bump in power. In the HST it has 400hp, which is handily 20hp more than offered in the present top six-pot F-Type that already outpunches the Toyota Supra.

This would leave space for a pure combustion version beneath the electrified car, with the current 2.0-litre four-pots retaining their entry level positions, albeit with the usual raft of cuts to CO2 and tweaks to performance. At the other end of the line-up, the V8 range-topper is set to remain safe on its pedestal because a halo SVR is too valuable to the F-Type. Plus, we think an F-Type range lacking a variant that’s brutish and emotional enough to rival Porsche’s 992 911 would no doubt feel lacking. WLTP might strangle the 5.0-litre unit a bit more, but we suspect JLR’s engineers will be working to ensure the supercharged powerplant can at least maintain its 575hp output. Then there's the talk of a late introduction of BMW V8 power...

As for the rest of the changes, the cabin is set for an equally substantial overhaul with more digital infotainment; it’s not ambitious to think the centre console will be given JLR’s longer screen and the instrument cluster will be digitalised to match. The present car’s design is far from unappealing but leaves a lot to be desired compared with interiors from Audi and Porsche, in terms of kit and technology. And we all know how much the general public values infotainment systems these days, even on a car of this stature.

Just how far JLR can push what will be seven-year-old interior architecture to ensure the F-Type remains a competitive offering amongst its younger rivals, remains to be seen. It’ll need to last until an all-new successor can pick-up the baton deeper into the decade, though. Rumour is, that one could be all-electric.