Jaguar F-Type coupe kicks off at $120k

JAGUAR’S spectacular supercharged F-Type coupe will cost almost $20,000 less than its soft-top roadster sibling when it arrives in Australian dealers in July.

Kicking off from $119,900 plus on-road costs, the entry F-Type hard-top shares its 250kW/450Nm 3.0-litre supercharged V6 engine with the base convertible but undercuts it by $18,745.

The 280kW/460Nm 3.0-litre V6-powered F-Type S is likewise $18,745 more affordable than the mid-range convertible at $152,300. The range-topping F-Type R V8 rounds out the range at $219,600 – a $17,655 saving over the convertible V8 S.

Further sharpening the Type R value equation is the fact that it forgoes the soft-top’s 364kW/625Nm 5.0-litre V8 in favour of the even more potent force-fed 404kW/680Nm unit from the XFR-S.

As a result, the F-Type R dashes from 0-100km/h in 4.2 seconds – 0.1 seconds faster than the F-Type V8 S Convertible – making it the fastest Big Cat in the range. Its top speed is limited to 300km/h.

The sharper pricing means British-based Jaguar has taken a different approach to arch-nemesis Porsche, which charges a premium of between $5600 and $13,400 for its Cayman coupe over the related Boxster convertible.

This means the F-Type hard-top is a more feasible price-point rival to Porsche’ s offering than the convertible. The less-powerful Cayman with a PDK dual-clutch automatic costs $112,400 – $7500 less than the Jag.

All powertrains will be linked to the ubiquitous ZF eight-speed automatic transmission.

The base F-Type includes standard features such as a sports exhaust with twin, centrally-mounted pipes, 18-inch alloy wheels, sude/leather sports seats, a three-spoke steering wheel with paddles and aluminium cabin trim.

The S adds bigger brakes with red calipers, adjustable suspension, 19-inch alloys, a limited-slip differential (LSD), full-leather seats and ambient cabin lighting. The R adds quad exhaust pipes, 20-inch alloys, torque vectoring and an electronic active diff.

Jaguar says the second-generation electronic active differential and torque vectoring system that can brake an inside wheel when powering through a corner enhances agility and “exploitable handing at the limit”.

The addition of a roof has given the F-Type greater structural rigidity, with Jaguar claiming the aluminium coupe is the stiffest Jaguar ever built.

The styling takes heavy cues from the glamorous C-X16 concept from the 2011 Frankfurt motor show, and features a distinctive roof-line that gives way to fat rear haunches for extra visual drama.

The entire side panel of the coupe is stamped from one piece of aluminium, while the roof can be made of aluminium or – at least overseas – panoramic glass. Both roof surfaces are bonded into the structure with identical rigidity properties.

F-Type R and F-Type S Coupes both can be fitted with optional carbon ceramic matrix brake discs.

"The F-Type Coupé provides its driver with a unique sports car experience. It combines seductive design with cutting-edge technology and performance which is truly breathtaking. Engaging, precise, intuitive and alive – it is the definitive sports Coupé,” said JLR group marketing director Phil Popham.

Jaguar F-Type coupe pricing*

F-Type (a) $119,900
F-Type S $152,300
F-Type R $219,600

* Plus on-road costs