[car fanatics]

Jaguar Land Rover
Photo credit: Jaguar Land Rover
April 4, 2012
By: CF staff

Today Jaguar confirms that it will bring an all-new sports car to production; the F-TYPE.

Speaking at the New York auto show Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director, Jaguar Cars, confirmed: "We showed the C-X16 concept in September 2011, and the reaction to it has been so positive that we've accelerated our development of an all-new Jaguar sports car.

"That car will be called the F-TYPE, and it will be unveiled in production form later this year. The core appeal of Jaguar's cars is their sporting heart, and that heart will beat stronger than ever before in the F-TYPE. Its development is a vivid representation of the confidence and ambition of the Jaguar brand, and the desire amongst our engineers and design team to produce a world-leader in a market segment that we have been absent from for too long. But no longer - the F-TYPE is coming."

Utilising Jaguar's industry-leading knowledge of all-aluminium construction, the F-TYPE will launch as a convertible, and a strict two-seater with the focus uncompromisingly on delivering driver reward. A range of petrol engines will be available - including a new powerplant family - and all will deliver stunning sports car performance.

Today also marks the point that the F-TYPE's rigorous development schedule moves to final on-road testing, with engineering prototypes now leaving Jaguar's Castle Bromwich plant - the same plant at which the production cars will be built.

Ian Hoban, Jaguar's Vehicle Line Director said: "The engineering development of the F-TYPE has focused on delivering a heightened level of dynamic driving reward. We are excited about our progress to date and are looking forward to soon being able to demonstrate what we have achieved."

Ian Callum, Director of Design, said: "A true sports car needs to be pure in both its purpose and its form; to have the opportunity to produce such a car for Jaguar has been a privilege both for myself and for my team. The C-type, D-type and E-type Jaguars were all sports cars that held true to this principle in their era, and the F-TYPE will hold true to that same principle in its time, a time that is soon to arrive."

The F-TYPE will join Jaguar's existing range of cars - the XF saloon and Sportbrake, XJ saloon and XK coupe/convertible. Full F-TYPE technical and range details will be announced later in 2012. It will go on sale in mid 2013.

[Gixser995]

Such a tease.

[?]

Ewww.

What's that thing in the grill?

[?]

I've just watched the video and it's frakking hilarious!

[lengnert]

I like the small and 'tight' look.

I would almost wish that Jaguar would dig into their roots a little more and give their coupes a little (even just a bit) more pronounced and round front fenders. It would give the front of the car a more classic XKE-ish look and make the front of the car look longer. Now that would be something to drool even more over.

[?]

lengnert;194041 Wrote:I would almost wish that Jaguar would dig into their roots a little more and give their coupes a little (even just a bit) more pronounced and round front fenders.

Maybe...

The 2000 Jaguar F-Type Concept looked pretty much perfect for a new entry-level sportscar, I think. The only issue I think was that maybe it relied a bit TOO much on the lines of the E-Type. The new car strikes a better balance between old and new.

Here's the 2000 concept...



On a side-note, have you SEEN the video??? It's frakking ludicrous! Watch it with sound. You'll piss yourself.

[ArtRiX]

I heard about the car, how it will save jobs and be good for Birmingham in general today on the local radio... I though about taking my bike for a trip around the assembly plant and the parking lots where they keep new Jaaags, but it seems that I have a really bad cold and gonna spend my day off tomorrow with a cup of tea by my laptop

[The Voice of Doom]

Looks promising. Sure sounds good. But "first 2-seater Jaguar sports car in 50 years?" Sounds like somebody wants to forget the XJ220...