Skip advert
Advertisement

Jaguar F-Type revealed

The new Jaguar F-Type sports car has made its world debut at the Paris Motor Show

You’ve seen the leaked images, but now it’s official – Jaguar has revealed its F-Type Roadster, which will start from £58,500, the night before the Paris Motor Show. We have all the details and a huge picture gallery for the model that represents a welcome return to Jaguar’s strongest tradition – the two-seater convertible sports car.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Although the C-X16 concept car that previewed the F-Type was a coupe, not a roadster, the production car’s styling has remained faithful. You might recognise the double blades in the front bumper, the power bulge in the bonnet and the vertical bi-xenon headlights with LED running lights, from the concept.

The front-end is familiar from the rest of the Jaguar range. “The grille is evolved from the XJ and XF – the first iteration of the F-Type had an oval one, but I wanted continuity in the range,” Jaguar’s chief designer, Ian Callum, told us.

At the rear, you’ll find a striking pair of narrow tail-lights – a clear nod towards the E-Type – and a pop-up spoiler that deploys automatically. “The rear spoiler pops up at 60mph with the Jaguar name on it. We needed the Jaguar name to be more prominent to promote the brand in China and the US,” Callum explained.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The interior is more driver-focused than any Jaguar that’s gone before. According to Callum, “it had to be cockpit-like – we wanted something that enveloped the driver.” To achieve that, a grab-handle protrudes from the centre-console on the passenger side. The gearstick and toggle switch for Dynamic mode take inspiration from a fighter jet, while the bank of switches below the air-con dials is another aeronautical reference. Another distinctive feature is the air vent that rises up from the top of the dashboard only when required.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The roof is a traditional fabric construction, which can raise or lower itself in only 12 seconds and at speeds up to 30mph. Much lighter than a folding metal hard-top, it’s one of several weight-saving measures on the F-Type. Not least is the all-aluminium chassis, said to be 10 per cent more rigid than that of the XKR-S. In its lightest form, the F-Type weighs 1,597kg – 198kg less than the XKR-S convertible.

Three models will be available from launch, each with a different engine. The F-Type and F-Type S are both powered by a new 3.0-litre supercharged V6 engine, producing 335bhp and 375bhp respectively. The range-topping F-Type V8 S crams a 488bhp 5.0-litre supercharged V8 under the bonnet. All models are fitted with stop-start and an eight-speed automatic gearbox, while the V6-powered S model gets a launch-control function.

That allows it to cover 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 171mph, while returning 31mpg and emitting 213g/km of CO2. The entry-level F-Type takes 5.3 seconds to go from 0-62mph, tops out at 161mph and returns 31.4mpg and 209g/km. Way out in front is the F-Type V8 S, taking 4.3 seconds to do 0-62mph, with a top speed of 186mph. Even so, it will return 25.5mpg and emit 259g/km of CO2.

An active exhaust, optional on the base F-Type and standard on the two S models, opens a set of valves above 3,000rpm so you can hear the V6 or V8 engine on full song. Select the Dynamic mode – which sharpens throttle response, increases steering weight, speeds up the gearbox, firms up the suspension and widens the ESP’s electronic safety net – and the exhaust valves stay open all the time.

Prices wil start at £58,500 for the F-Type, rising to £67,500 for the F-Type S and a whopping £79,950 for the F-Type V8 S, when it goes on sale next spring.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best used sports cars 2024
Best used sports cars - header image
Best cars & vans

Best used sports cars 2024

These are the top used sports cars for those looking for some fun but usable second-hand wheels
15 Jan 2024
New Jaguar F-Type ZP Edition is the British firm’s last ICE sports car
Jaguar F-Type ZP Edition - roadster front
News

New Jaguar F-Type ZP Edition is the British firm’s last ICE sports car

The Jaguar F-Type bows out with limited-run, V8-powered ZP Edition
10 Oct 2023
New Jaguar F-Type R 75 2023 review
Jaguar F-Type R 75 - front tracking
Road tests

New Jaguar F-Type R 75 2023 review

Jaguar ends its petrol era on a V8-engined high note
18 Aug 2023
New Jaguar F-Type P450 75 2023 review
Jaguar F-Type P450 75 - front cornering
Road tests

New Jaguar F-Type P450 75 2023 review

The F-Type 75 marks the end of an era for combustion-powered Jaguar sports cars
25 Apr 2023

Most Popular

“MG is easily outselling Jaguar, Land Rover and Bentley combined”
Opinion - MG4
Opinion

“MG is easily outselling Jaguar, Land Rover and Bentley combined”

The wave of Chinese cars has arrived in the UK, and Mike Rutherford thinks it’s not about to stop any time soon
17 Mar 2024
New Skoda Epiq electric SUV revives the spirit of the Yeti
Skoda Epiq - front
News

New Skoda Epiq electric SUV revives the spirit of the Yeti

The all-electric Skoda Epiq crossover SUV is set to be fully unveiled next year and is likely to cost around £22,000
15 Mar 2024
Car Deal of the Day: brand new, top-spec VW Tiguan SUV for way less than you think
Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line - front tracking
News

Car Deal of the Day: brand new, top-spec VW Tiguan SUV for way less than you think

The all-new third generation of Volkswagen’s smash hit mid-size SUV is our Car Deal of the Day for 14 March
14 Mar 2024