Paris show: Jaguar F-Type leaked further

FIRST glimpses of the new Jaguar F-Type sportscar’s rear end and interior have surfaced on the internet following last week’s leaked frontal photo, further spoiling Jaguar’s hotly anticipated Paris motor show reveal on Thursday.

The new set of images reveal the presence of a flip-up rear spoiler and an interior design closely matching the C-X16 coupe concept unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show a year ago, with concealed central air vents that automatically rise from the top of the dashboard.

The production interior moves away from the concept’s garish crimson cabin and impractical race-style bucket seats but retains much of its layout, including the conventional-looking gear selector beside a single buttress that links the dashboard and centre console.

Also faithful to the concept are curved haunches, a distinctive slim, elongated tail-light design and prominent diffuser-like rear bumper, although lost in translation were the concept’s slim door mirrors, low ride height and huge alloy wheels over-filling their arches.

It appears that engine variants – confirmed to comprise a supercharged 3.0-litre V6 in 250kW and 280kW tune plus a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 producing 380kW – will be distinguished by their exhaust tail-pipes.

The two cars shown have either quad outlets with twin pipes at each edge of the rear bumper or a pair of fatter central exhaust tips – but curiously, both bear an S badge at each end resembling half of the R-S motif used on Jaguar’s $340,000 flagship XKR-S.

There is no official word on a production version of the hot V6-based hybrid that powered the C-X16 concept, which Jaguar said could yield similar performance to the XKR-S but use half the fuel.

As reported when the original image was leaked, the F-Type’s styling – apart from the move from coupe to convertible – is almost unchanged from the CX-16.

In the transition from concept to production model, the F-Type has retained the chrome-rimmed mesh grille flanked by gill-like air intakes, triangular headlights framed by strip-like LED daytime running lights and indicators and vents on the bonnet and front guards.

Sheet metal on the bonnet, front guards and doors appears unchanged, while the front splitter and side-skirt design has also been retained, as have the Aston Martin-style flush door handles.

The F-Type’s flowing curves, power bulges and gaping air intakes of the front end and heavily scalloped flanks appear not to acknowledge the iconic E-Type and Jaguar has even dropped the oval grille that has linked many of its sportscars over the decades.

However the way the F-Type’s rear deck remains relatively featureless and nestled low between the muscular rear guards appears to reference its spiritual ancestor – which would often be seen fitted with a chrome luggage rack for weekends away.

A coupe variant is expected to emerge in 2014 and is likely to share the CX-16 concept’s roof line, which flows right to the rear of the car, aping the E-Type’s boot access via an unusual side-hinged rear window.

Like the BMW with the 6 Series, Jaguar has decided to debut the F-Type as a convertible, perhaps to demonstrate that the car’s performance is not compromised by the lack of a roof.

The compact sportscar is part of Jaguar Land Rover's five-year product development blitz that will also result in the big cat brand releasing either a competitor to the BMW 3 Series or a luxury SUV.

Jaguar’s sales in Australia are up 25.9 per cent year-to-date and sister brand Land Rover is enjoying 38.1 per cent growth.

Strong sales performance in Australia, plus this country’s proximity to key emerging markets in the Asia-Pacific region will have no doubt helped the local Jaguar Land Rover outfit to secure the F-Type and Range Rover Vogue for the Sydney show fresh from Paris.