The Jaguar F-Type (X152) is a series of two-door, two-seater sports cars manufactured by British car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover under their Jaguar Cars marque from 2013 to 2024. The car's JLR D6a platform is based on a shortened version of the XK's platform.[3] It is the so-called "spiritual successor" to the E-Type.[4]
The car was launched initially as a 2-door soft-top convertible, with a 2-door fastback coupé version launched in 2013.[5] The F-Type underwent a facelift for the 2021 model year. It was unveiled in December 2019, featuring a significantly restyled front end and dashboard, and simplified drivetrain options.[6][7] Jaguar announced that the F-Type will be discontinued after the 2024 model year.[8] Production ended in June 2024, by which time 87,731 examples had been built.[9]
F-Type concept (2000)
The first F-type project at Jaguar was the XJ41/XJ42, begun in 1980 to produce a new sports car, inspired by the E-type, but with a modern interpretation. "The project was canned in March 1990, after management decided the project was ready to slip further back (into the 1995 model year), and this would put it into direct conflict with the upcoming X300 Project (at the time, known as XJ90)."[10] The new F-Type in concept in 2000 was a two-seat speedster with a 3.0-litre V6 engine from the S-Type saloon conceived to compete against light weight sports cars, such as the Porsche Boxster. Geoff Lawson, Jaguar's Head of Design, had been working on the development of the car, leading a team of three designers namely Keith Helfet, Adam Hatton and Pasi Pennanen. His sudden death in 1999 led Ian Callum, the new Head of Design, to continue the project who would present the finalised concept car to the general public at the 2000 Detroit Auto Show to a positive response due to its retro styling which recalled Jaguar automobiles of the 1950s and 60s. At its introduction, the car was quoted to be available with a manual or automatic transmission and an optional all-wheel-drive system. Budget cuts by parent company Ford led Jaguar to pursue its efforts in Formula-One and by 2002, the F-Type project was cancelled due to its failure to meet production feasibility.[11][12]
C-X16 concept (2011)
The C-X16 concept takes cues from the 2010 C-X75 plug-in hybrid concept sports car, including the shape of the front grille and the wrap-around rear lights, along with a side-hinged opening rear window reminiscent of the 1961 E-Type fastback coupé.[13]
The concept car was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. Jaguar stated that the C-X16 was their smallest car since the 1954 Jaguar XK120, at: 4445 mm length; 2048 mm width; 1297 mm height.[14]
The F-Type which was previewed stylistically by the C-X16, was developed under the project code "X152".[15]
Production variants
F-Type Convertible (2013–2023)
The convertible version of F-Type was first unveiled at Sundance, London[16] which was followed by a presentation at the 2012 Paris Motor Show and the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed (with a bare chassis).[17]
F-Type Coupé (2014–2023)
The coupé variant of the F-Type was unveiled at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show (F-Type R Coupé)[18][19] and 2013 Tokyo Motor Show,[20]
Facelift (2019)
The facelifted F-Type was unveiled in December 2019 (with the model-year 2021 vehicle) with design and technological updates, making model-year 2020 F-Types the last featuring Ian Callum's original design.[27] On the exterior, it received new Pixel LED headlamps, new slender taillamps, 10-spoke 20-inch wheels, and a choice of new exterior paint finishes.[27] Interior features include a new 12.3-inch reconfigurable TFT instrument cluster and a 10-inch Touch Pro infotainment system. The V6 engine option is now only available in North American markets, with the SVR variant discontinued. The lineup now consists of the following models:[28]
F-Type P300
The Jaguar F-Type P300 is the entry-level model having a 2.0 L turbocharged inline-4 engine rated at 300 PS. It accelerates to 97 kph in 5.7 seconds and has a top speed of 250 kph. P300 sales in the U.S. were discontinued after model year 2021.
F-Type P380
Technical details
Chassis
The F-Type utilises an all-aluminium unitary chassis, assembled with flush rivets and glue.[29] Sound and vibration insulation is provided by the addition of a special underbody tray and engine mounts, and a double bulkhead between the engine bay and passenger compartment. The convertible roof is an electrically operated retractable fabric piece. Jaguar says by eschewing metal it can keep the car's centre of gravity low, while a Thinsulate layer means thermal and sound insulation is akin to a solid roof.[30]
Powertrain
At launch, the entry-level model used Jaguar's new 3.0-litre V6 supercharged petrol engine, producing a maximum power output of 340 PS, enabling the car to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, and reach a top speed of 161 mph. The F-Type V6 S has the same engine uprated at 380 PS, allowing the car to reach a top speed of 171 mph, and achieve acceleration from 0 to 97 km/h in 4.8 seconds. Next in the range is the V8 S with 495 hp and then the F-Type R, with Jaguar's 5.0-litre, 550 PS supercharged V8 petrol engine, allowing the car to reach a top speed of 186 mph and accelerate from 0 to 97 km/h in 4.0 seconds.
Limited editions
400 Sport
The Jaguar F-Type 400 Sport, a special-edition model that would remain on sale for just one year, was launched as part of a raft of revisions to the British sports car. The F-Type 400 Sport launch edition is powered by an upgraded version of the 3.0-litre supercharged V6 engine producing a power output of 400 PS (hence the name) and the addition of the Super Performance braking system (which features 380 mm front and 376 mm rear discs and black callipers with 400 Sport logo) and a Configurable Dynamics system which allows drivers to select individual settings for the throttle, transmission, steering and dampers. The F-Type 400 Sport features unique 20-inch alloy wheels.
The car features '400 Sport' badges on the front splitter and rear of the car, as well as the centre console, steering wheel, tread plates and embroidered headrests. The F-Type 400 is available as either a coupé or convertible and in either rear or all-wheel drive.[45][46]
Project 7
The Project 7 is based on the F-Type Convertible, and is powered by a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine, generating a maximum power output of 575 PS. The engine is shared with the F-Type SVR.
Motorsport
F-Type SVR GT4
On 11 January 2018, it was formally announced that the F-Type SVR would be entered into GT4 competition, competing in the 2018 British GT Championship with Invictus Games Racing.[49] The team was established in 2018 to offer wounded, injured, or sick members of the armed forces the opportunity to compete in motorsport.[49] The cars were commissioned by James Holder, co-founder of the clothing brand Superdry, and developed by Jaguar's Special Vehicle Operations division. The F-Type SVR GT4 would fail to find much success in its two years of competition in the British GT Championship. Invictus Games Racing fielded two cars for the 2018 season but finished last in the GT4 team standings.[50] Only one car was entered for the 2019 season, with the other relegated to testing duties.
External links
References
- Andy Stoy. Worth the Wait Autoweek, 15 October 2012^
- F-TYPE technical specifications Jaguar Cars, retrieved 7 October 2012^
- Jaguar XE roadster spied Auto Express, July 2011, retrieved 11 September 2011^