RE: Jaguar F-Type goes four-cylinder
Sunday 16th April 2017
Given one of the key selling points of the Jaguar F-Type is the brawny and suitably noisy power delivery from its supercharged V6 and V8 engines the news of a four-cylinder one is ... interesting. In a number of ways.
Jaguar is at pains to say the new model sounds good and has included a "meticulously tuned" active exhaust system, in this case with a single central pipe to differentiate it from the E-Type style paired twin one on V6s and the quad exits of the V8s. 52kg lighter over the nose than the 340hp V6, the 300hp Ingenium 2.0-litre petrol is the most powerful four-cylinder engine Jaguar has ever made and boasts the highest specific output of any F-Type engine at 150hp per litre. 295lb ft of torque is an impressive figure too, this coming from just 1,500rpm. Official economy and emissions stats - doubtless the main inspiration for the move - are 39.2mpg and 163g/km for both Convertible and Coupe.
Inevitably this provokes yet another attempt to find an F-Type overlap with an equivalent Porsche, the nearest obvious comparisons being the four-cylinder 718 Cayman and Boxster. Pricing is yet to be finalised but Jaguar is saying it'll start at around £49,000, which is a chunk more than the equivalent 2.0-litre 300hp versions of the Porsches - a 718 Cayman is £42,897 (call it £45K by the time you add the £2,000 for a PDK gearbox) while the Boxster starts at just shy of £47K with PDK. Realistically the Jaguar is competing with the 350hp S versions, which are about £9K more than the base 718s. In all cases, and as discussed extensively in relation to the Porsches, that's a lot of money for a car with a four-cylinder motor, no matter how powerful and equivalently fast by the spec sheet.
Inside you get all the much needed infotainment updates launched earlier in the year and the general 2018 model year upgrades. Standard cars get special lightweight 18-inch wheels while a fancier R-Dynamic spec adds 19s and a switchable active exhaust system. The bigger wheels also mean you can option in the Super Performance Braking System, should you want something to fill them.
Jaguar F-Type goes four-cylinder
New 300hp four-cylinder joins the range - don't worry, V6s and V8s remain
If you're still trying to come to terms with the idea of a four-cylinder engine in an F-Type the performance figures may help - 155mph is enough to get you into trouble but the 5.4-second 0-62mph time is seriously impressive. While the 340hp V6 and 380hp V6 S are still available with the six-speed manual the four-cylinder will be an eight-speed auto only, this benchmark sprint down just four tenths on the base V6 with the equivalent transmission.
The launch release goes into extensive detail - really extensive - about how the new engine delivers that power and there's some impressive tech involved. This includes a twinscroll turbo running on ceramic bearings, an integrated exhaust manifold built into the cylinder head and hydraulically adjustable intake valves that effectively operate like throttle butterflies to reduce pumping losses and improve throttle response.
That significant weight saving off the nose is said to have a big impact on the sense of agility, steering and springs recalibrated to suit. All promising stuff indeed. But is the whole small engine, big car thing really appropriate for a sports car so defined by its chest-wig muscularity and soundtrack? Proof, as ever, will be in the driving. Could be worse though - they could have made it a diesel.
Discussion
It will be interesting to see what it does to sales of the V6S. There seem to be some people (not me) who want that car but don't care about the engine, so just get the most economical / cheapest. Then there are people like me who always want the best possible engine. I guess Jaguar are hoping that overall sales increase and I assume the '4' is still cheaper to produce, despite what sounds like costly parts in it.
Another option might be to update the V6S to 400bhp. That would make lots of sense and re-establish the pecking order.
Another option might be to update the V6S to 400bhp. That would make lots of sense and re-establish the pecking order.
nicfaz said:
Another option might be to update the V6S to 400bhp. That would make lots of sense and re-establish the pecking order.
Well you're in luck - there is a 400PS F-type V6 - https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/new-ja...tomic said:
5.4 seconds to 60? That's not quick for a performance car these days. A 335d would show you a clean pair of heels as well as quite a few hot hatches.
Did I just click on a GT86 thread by accident? Yes please, I'll take the saloon rather than the sports car. I grew up dreaming about the day I could own a 4-door BMW that looks exactly like the model they introduced in 2004 and virtually every other car they've designed since. Just look at those soft-touch plastics! /sarcasmEkona said:
If ever a car was begging for a manual 'box, this would've been it. Save the weight, more involving, could get away with it being a four-pot then.
Now this is a sentiment that I can buy into. 52kg less over the front axle really caught my attention, and then they fit an auto. Given that many US reviews found the car to be slightly nose-heavy (on the scales), this sounds like it might be somewhere close to 50:50 weight. Light wheels too. With a manual box this would be a very attractive alternative to a Cayman/Boxster.Edited by spikyone on Wednesday 12th April 10:26
spikyone said:
tomic said:
5.4 seconds to 60? That's not quick for a performance car these days. A 335d would show you a clean pair of heels as well as quite a few hot hatches.
Did I just click on a GT86 thread by accident? Yes please, I'll take the saloon rather than the sports car. I grew up dreaming about the day I could own a 4-door BMW that looks exactly like the model they introduced in 2004 and virtually every other car they've designed since. Just look at those soft-touch plastics! /sarcasm
Some people just don't get it I'm afraid.As every day goes by, I care about 0-60 less and less.
Fetchez la vache said:
article said:
R-Dynamic spec adds... a switchable active exhaust system.
Any idea / examples as to what this'll sound like on a 4-pot? 
Here's a hint though.
s
t.s
t, with a loud whooshey sound over the top, and a bunch of stupid pops and bangs every time you lift off 
But crucially regardless of the actual noise, it'll be loud, and loud = fast and generally good, so I'm sure it'll be popular.
Whether we think this is a good idea or not, I think Jaguar have got this right.
The "this" in question being to look at what Porsche are doing, and copy it.
Look how far behind the Germans Jaguar was a few (alright, more than a few) years ago, when they didn't have estate cars, or diesel engines. I expect they are still licking their wounds from that one.
As a result, seeing what the Germans are up to, and matching them product for product is likely the best idea.
The "this" in question being to look at what Porsche are doing, and copy it.
Look how far behind the Germans Jaguar was a few (alright, more than a few) years ago, when they didn't have estate cars, or diesel engines. I expect they are still licking their wounds from that one.
As a result, seeing what the Germans are up to, and matching them product for product is likely the best idea.
Might be in the minority here but I really liked the base 718 manual when I drove it. I even thought it was good value for a mid-engine car that handles so well. Think it would have been cool to see a cheaper manual 4-pot F-type. I think it would have swayed more buyers from the Cayman.
In saying that, I havent seen the numbers from the manual v6 sales. It's probably something like 2% of overall sales.
In saying that, I havent seen the numbers from the manual v6 sales. It's probably something like 2% of overall sales.
Owlwood said:
In saying that, I havent seen the numbers from the manual v6 sales. It's probably something like 2% of overall sales.
This. I have no doubt that Jaguar would have made the manual on this model if they thought it financially advantageous. With us puzzled as to why a manual is not being offered and dismissing 4 cylinder engines it's easy to forget how marginal we are on this site. By far the majority of car buyers care not for the cylinder count, transmission and driving dynamics.
paulyv said:
Owlwood said:
In saying that, I havent seen the numbers from the manual v6 sales. It's probably something like 2% of overall sales.
This. I have no doubt that Jaguar would have made the manual on this model if they thought it financially advantageous. With us puzzled as to why a manual is not being offered and dismissing 4 cylinder engines it's easy to forget how marginal we are on this site. By far the majority of car buyers care not for the cylinder count, transmission and driving dynamics.
IanCress said:
tomic said:
5.4 seconds to 60? That's not quick for a performance car these days. A 335d would show you a clean pair of heels as well as quite a few hot hatches.
If you're just chasing the numbers then you're missing the point of a 2 seater sports car. 
/sarcasm
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