Jaguar celebrates milestone with F-Type special edition
BY TUNG NGUYEN | 30th Oct 2018
JAGUAR has launched the F-Type Chequered Flag Limited Edition to celebrate 70 years of the brand’s sportscars, available with either a turbocharged four- or supercharged six-cylinder engine in either coupe or convertible body styles priced from $139,650 before on-roads.
In fixed-roof, rear-drive form, proceedings kick off with the 221kW/400Nm four-pot version, followed by a 250kW/450Nm and 280kW/460Nm force-fed V6 for $158,050 and $180,450 respectively.
The latter engine tune can also be had with all-wheel drive that ups pricing to $196,250, while drop-top versions of each add a $17,200 premium.
All Chequered Flag Limited Edition grades are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and although performance figures for the new variants are yet to be revealed, the driveline can accelerate the F-Type from zero to 100km/h as quickly as 4.9 seconds.
Taking the F-Type R-Dynamic grade as its base, the Chequered Flag Limited Edition adds Windsor leather interior, dark brushed aluminium centre console and bespoke steering wheel with a red 12 o’clock marker, as well as a black contrasting roof for coupe versions.
From the outside, the Chequered Flag Limited Edition sports the optional Exterior Black Design Pack that adds extended side sills, 20-inch gloss-black wheels and red brake callipers.
Carryover equipment includes 10-speaker sound system, electronic seat adjustment, automatic headlights, lane departure warning and sports exhaust, as well as a 10.0-inch touchscreen display infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
In addition to the Chequered Flag Limited Edition, a model year update for all F-Types will also add retuned dampers and revised suspension for increased comfort at low speeds, as well as a reversing camera and front parking sensors as standard.
Jaguar design director Ian Callum – who oversaw the styling of the F-Type – said the sportscar embodies the British brand’s design ethos.
“Perfect proportions, design purity and visual drama – every Jaguar must express these qualities, and none more so that the F-Type,” he said.
“In creating the Chequered Flag we’ve focused on details which enhance F-Type’s presence and promise of performance – and in doing so, made a fitting celebration of 70 years of beautiful, fast, Jaguar sportscars.”
Year to date, Jaguar has sold only 72 examples of its F-Type, a 28.7 per cent drop over the same nine-month period in 2017.
The F-Type trails the over $80,000 sportscar segment leaders including the Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe and convertible (1328), BMW 4 Series coupe and convertible (557) and Audi A5 (475), but leads the likes of the Infiniti Q60 (65) and Lexus LC (69).
2018 Jaguar F-Type Chequered Flag Limited Edition*
| Coupe | |
| 221kW (a) | $139,650 |
| 250kW (a) | $158,050 |
| 280kW (a) | $180,450 |
| 280kW AWD (a) | $196,250 |
| Convertible | |
| 221kW (a) | $156,850 |
| 250kW (a) | $175,250 |
| 280kW (a) | $197,650 |
| 280kW AWD (a) | $213,450 |
*Excludes on-road costs
