1 Jul 2013
JAGUAR has re-entered the compact sports car market with the F-Type.
Slotting in for the E-Type after nearly a 40-year gap, the rear-drive two-seater open convertible adopts an all-aluminium body and advanced double-wishbone suspension, in order to take the fight up to the Porsche Boxster and 911.
Central development pillars included the stiffest-ever structure of any Jaguar convertible, even-balanced front-to-rear weight distribution, a low-slung driving position, high-response drivetrain choices, fast steering, and high-performance braking capabilities.
Adaptive dampers, hydraulic rack and pinion steering, a choice of electronic or mechanical limited-slip differential, a selectable driving mode for uplifts in throttle, transmission, steering, and suspension responses, and an active exhaust system with bypass valves all aim to improve the driving experience.
At launch three supercharged powerplants are available – all paired to a ZF-supplied eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission with paddle shifters that Jaguar dubs Quickshift. No manual gearbox is available for the time being.
The base F-Type arrives in Australia using a 2995cc 3.0-litre V6 producing 250kW at 6500rpm and 450Nm of torque between 3500rpm and 5000rpm.
Jaguar turns the wick up in the S version of the 3.0 V6, upping outputs by 30kW and 10Nm, while the 5.0-litre V8 S flagship delivers 364kW at 6500rpm and 625Nm from 2500rpm to 5500rpm.
A range of driver-assistant technologies are available, such as blind-spot and lane-change monitoring, reverse-traffic detection, bi-function HID high-intensity discharge headlights, adaptive front lighting, and intelligent high-beam adjustment.
To help improve interior/boot packaging, the standard electrically actuated fabric roof uses a folding Z-design, takes 12 seconds to lower and re-erect, and can be done so at up to 50km/h.
A Coupe will be released in the latter half of 2014.
