The new Jaguar F-Type has undergone a full overhaul in both the styling and performance departments.
Jaguar claims that this redesign ’embodies Jaguar design DNA in its purest form.’
One of the most controversial changes is the omission of a V6 option. Buyers instead will have the choice of either a 4-cylinder or V8 under the hood.
Regardless of the number of pistons, the new Jaguar F-Type will come with a semi-automatic gearbox with driver’s being able to choose between the wheel-mounted shift paddles or SportShift gear selector on the fly.
According to Design Director Julian Thomson, the updated 2020 F-Type is “something truly extraordinary.”
The Exterior
To the untrained eye Jaguar’s iconic sports car may appear to have not changed much at all, but there have been a number of subtle revisions to the bodywork.
Super-slim pixel LED headlights, with signature ‘Calligraphy’ J daytime running lights and sweeping indicator patterns, blend into the ‘liquid metal’ surfacing of the new bonnet. Jaguar say this exaggerates the car’s width and gives it a more aggressive stance when viewed from the front.
The gargantuan grille has been made even larger, and the front bumper revised for a striking fascia.
The rear lights have undergone the slimline treatment as well with slender LED ‘Chicane signature’ lights replacing the old units. These are inspired by those from the I-Pace performance SUV, and also feature Jaguar monogram pattern detailing.
The Interior
As is the norm with modern luxury brands, the interior is a mixture of premium leather and chrome detailing.
Monogram stitch patterns adorn the seats and door trims, with leaping Jaguar motifs in the headrests.
The new Jaguar F-Type will feature a 12.3inch reconfigurable touch-screen Interactive Driver Display which offers a choice of different modes including satellite navigation, or a music player which can be paired with Apple CarPlay or Android Audio.
The default display is a large rev counter, which shows who Jaguar’s target audience is with this vehicle.
The Performance
As previously mentioned, Jaguar has decided to discontinue their V6 F-Type and instead will only be producing 4-cylinder and V8 models going forward.
The engines on offer will be a 300PS turbocharged 4-cylinder, a 450PS V8 and a 575PS V8, both of which will be supercharged.
The mid-range 450PS V8 will offer 580nm (or approximately 428ft-lbs) of torque at as early as 2,500rpm. This model is available in RWD and AWD, with both accelerating from 0-60 in 4.4seconds to a top speed of 177mph.
The top of the range 575PS V8 AWD generates 700nm (roughly 516ft-lbs) of torque, and will hit 60 in 3.5 seconds, and carry on to reach an electronically limited top speed of 186mph.
All engines on offer will be available with an active exhaust system. Jaguar were keen to keep the signature crackle and pop sounds synonymous with the F-Type, and have tuned the four and eight cylinder engines to achieve this.
Highly efficient close-coupled particulate filters reduce emissions, and customers who chose either of the V8 models will get ‘Quiet Start’ technology where a silencer in the exhaust will remain closed unless under hard acceleration.
The SportShift gear selector has been refined with some inspiration from the XE SV Project 8 unveiled earlier this year. This has resulted in quicker, crisper gear changes, with both upshifts and downshifts being more responsive giving the driver a more connected feel.
The First Edition
Customers who place their order in the first year of production will have access to the new Jaguar F-Type ‘First Edition’.
This model will come with the Exterior Design pack finished in Forchester Grey, five spoke 20inch gloss grey wheels, and finished in either Santorini Black, Eiger Grey, or Fuji White paint.
The seats will come in two colours, either Ebony with Light Oyster stitching, or Mars with Flame Red stitching. Other differences include the instrument cluster being wrapped in Alcantara with Monogram embossing, aluminium shift paddles, a ‘First Edition’ brand on the centre console and Ebony suede headliner.
Alan Volkaerts, Vehicle Line Director of the new Jaguar F-Type said; “The new F-Type is the definitive Jaguar sports car and continues to set the benchmark for design purity, driver engagement and reward, and a truly visceral driving experience – it makes every journey extraordinary.”
You can read more about the new Jaguar F-Type on Jaguar’s official website. Prices start from £54,060.
