They’ve been teasing us with it all year and now we can finally have a proper look at the new F-TYPE. Well I say new, it’s rather like a film star that’s lived in Malibu too long, it’s had a lot work done to it’s face but the act hasn’t really changed all that much.
But, when a car is already puurrfect, then perhaps a nip and tuck is all that’s needed. We took a look through stats and photographs to give our initial reaction.
Although the facelift is fairly extensive, the obvious Jaguar looks are still intact. This new design look and feel will no doubt be looked back upon as the moment that Julian Thompson, who has taken over lead styling duties from Ian Callum, started making his mark on Jaguar.
The F-TYPE has a great track record already, having won no less than 178 awards since its launch in 2013, including World Car Design of the Year. It forms the latest of a sporting family line that stretches right back to the XK120 of 1948, but perhaps purists may feel that the E Type influence has been dialled down just a little with this re-shape.
Jaguar say they have created a car with a “more muscular, assertive design and a cabin defined by rich, luxurious materials and beautiful details” and certainly the first-look photos seem to back that up.
Jaguar also confirmed that the model would be made at its Castle Bromwich plant and will be priced from just over £54,000 for the base model, with the top – level ‘R’ version coming in at £97,280. All in all, great value given the refinement and performance on offer and in these Brexit obsessed times, British built, which is good – right?
One real surprise though, was the discontinuation of the V6 engine, why? Read on.
The face-lift
The design changes mostly take shape ahead of the windscreen and have all added up to a longer wider look to the car although the dimensions remain unchanged in reality. The bumper line is lowered and sleek and the clamshell bonnet we expected has softened lines. Those slimline headlights have also given room for a wider and deeper grille, adding to the aggressive look for low down.
The slimmed down rear lights give it more of a iPace feel and there are changes to the rear diffusers and also new design options for the front air intakes. Overall there are further subtle changes to materials used, textures and badging.
Full of tech
Jaguar promised us more gadgets as well and certainly the F-TYPE seems to bristling with them. The toys list includes a reconfigurable, high-definition, 12.3-inch Interactive Driver Display, Touch Pro infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard and software-over-the-air functionality so you can update it without having to visit the dealership. The F TYPE comes with an updated Meridian sound system as well for setting the mood with your favourite music on a blast around the country lanes.
Sshhh … quiet!
If you’re one of these owners who has to creep out early morning to get to the golf course, office or a weekend Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club event without disturbing the neighbours, then the new F -TYPE offers buyers of the 450PS or 575PS supercharged V8s a new, Quiet Start function.
This is achieved with silencer bypass valves in the exhaust system that are electrically actuated in the rear silencer until you put your foot down and the engine is under load. Happily, for the show-offs amongst us there is also a button to override the function as well. When the valves do open however, the same familiar snarling crackle remains – phew!
First – edition model for early adopters
Those of us first to the showrooms will be offered the “first edition” model. It may sound like a book or something for a stamp collection, but it actually refers to a fully loaded model that will be made for the first production year only and is based on the R-Dynamic models of old. The goodies list includes; Exterior Design Pack in contemporary Dorchester Grey and five-spoke, 20-inch wheels in Gloss Technical Grey with contrast Diamond-Turned finish, complementing the choice of Santorini Black, Eiger Grey or Fuji White paint. The interior features 12-way Windsor Leather seats in Ebony with Light Oyster stitching, or Mars with Flame Red stitching. Other highlights include the instrument cluster, wrapped in Alcantara, Suedecloth headlining over the top of you and to hand, the aluminium gearshift paddles will feel suitably high-tech.
Engine options in 4 or 8 cylinder guise bid a surprising farewell to the V6
Engine options have been simplified to include the eight-cylinder options you would expect but also now a four-cylinder option with the older and much heavier, V6 consigned to history. These are all matched to eight-speed Quickshift transmissions with full manual control using either the SportShift gear selector or the steering wheel-mounted paddles, so no normal manual option will be made available nor is it needed.
New to the range is the 450PS supercharged V8. Unique to F-TYPE, this 5.0-litre engine has been developed to offer improved performance – its maximum torque of 580Nm being generated from just 2,500rpm and that’s not even ‘R’ spec yet. Nice!
It is offered with a choice of all-wheel drive and – for purists (and the slightly un-hinged) – rear-wheel drive, and all models have a differential rammed with electronics to keep you stuck to the road and safe. You’ll need it to, with 0-60mph in just 4.4 seconds, and a maximum speed of 177mph.
The pairing of Jaguar’s sports car with the 300PS 2.0-litre 4 cylinder turbocharged Ingenium engine delivers enhanced agility and improved efficiency and affordability. Despite the loss of two cylinders, the engine has also lost a lot of weight, meaning that it retains the performance expected from the V6 F-TYPE and can accelerate from 0-60mph in only 5.4 seconds and achieve a top speed of 155mph – impressive from just 4 pots.
The turbocharged engine’s high maximum torque of 400Nm generated from just 1,500rpm, together with technologies including fully variable control of intake valve lift, integrated exhaust manifold and twin-scroll turbocharger with ceramic ball bearings, delivers exceptional response throughout the rev range. It also claims a quite epic fuel economy of 34.9mpg, not bad for such a big bruiser of a sports car! Still not enough? Then read on for news of a more powerful “R” model….
The F TYPE R gets more power
Jaguar also announced that the power output of the top flight, all-wheel drive, supercharged ‘R’ version would also be increased to 575PS and 700Nm (up from 550PS and 680Nm respectively). What difference does this make? Well, check out the stats: 60mph takes just 3.5 seconds, while maximum speed is an electronically-limited 186mph.
The F-TYPE R’s increased power is matched to a comprehensively uprated chassis with new, wider, 20-inch, 10-spoke wheels in Gloss Black with diamond-turned finish,
The suspension has been tweaked as well, with new adaptive dampers, springs, anti-roll bars and stiffer rear knuckles and ball joints, all aimed at making things more communicative for the driver.
The learnings from the awesome prototype Jaguar XE SV Project 8 have been applied here to the R as well, with the Quickshift transmissions promising even faster, crisper gear changes when shifting manually via the steering wheel-mounted paddles or the SportShift gear selector.
The models on offer
F-TYPE Coupé and Convertible:
- 300PS 2.0-litre four-cylinder; Quickshift RWD
- 450PS 5.0-litre V8; Quickshift; RWD/ AWD
F-TYPE R-Dynamic Coupé and Convertible:
- o 300PS 2.0-litre four-cylinder; Quickshift RWD
- 450PS 5.0-litre V8; Quickshift; RWD/ AWD
F-TYPE First Edition Coupé and Convertible:
- 300PS 2.0-litre four-cylinder; Quickshift RWD
- 450PS 5.0-litre V8; Quickshift; RWD/ AWD
F-TYPE R Coupé and Convertible:
- 575PS 5.0-litre V8; Quickshift AWD
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F-TYPE’s award-winning design has evolved still further with a focus on even greater purity and discipline to the perfectly-sculpted form. Super-slim pixel LED headlights with subtly updated signature ‘Calligraphy’ J daytime running lights, and sweeping direction indicators, blend perfectly into the ‘liquid metal’ surfacing of the new clamshell bonnet, exaggerating the car’s visual width and accentuating its assertive stance. The new front bumper and subtly enlarged grille deliver even more visual impact and presence. The rear haunches enhance the F-TYPE’s inherently dramatic, purposeful form, while the new slender rear lights combine an unmistakable LED chicane signature, inspired by the Jaguar I-PACE all-electric Performance SUV, with subtle monogram pattern detailing and a fine ‘pinstripe’ beneath. The interior combines traditional Jaguar craftsmanship with rich, contemporary materials such as Windsor Leather and satin-finish Noble Chrome. Beautiful details include monogram stitch patterns in the seats and door trims, Jaguar Leaper motifs in the headrests, and subtle ‘Jaguar Est.1935’ markings on the centre console finisher, glovebox release button surround, and seatbelt guides. The 12.3-inch reconfigurable Interactive Driver Display offers a choice of different display modes; including full map mode. As befits a true sports car, the default mode is characterised by the large central rev counter. This feature and the gearshift light subtly convey the F-TYPE’s driver-focused character and performance potential. Even before the drive begins, the F-TYPE delights the driver with the visual theatre of flush, deployable door handles and deployable air vents. Pressing the start button brings the car to life with its hallmark exhaust flare as purposeful as ever.
Julian Thomson
Design Director, Jaguar
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The new F-TYPE is the definitive Jaguar sports car and continues to set the benchmark for design purity, driver engagement and reward, and a truly visceral driving experience – it makes every journey extraordinary. Its timeless looks are more assertive than ever, technologies such as the high-definition virtual instrument cluster deepen the driver-focused feel of the interior, while the range of powertrains offers a breadth of choice unrivalled in the segment. Enthusiasts will appreciate the new F-TYPE R’s 575PS supercharged V8, enhanced chassis and intelligent all-wheel drive system, which deliver truly outstanding performance in all conditions while retaining its inherent tractability and usability
Alan Volkaerts
Vehicle Line Director, Jaguar F-TYPE
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