Jaguar F-Type ‘GT3’ spy shots

Spy shots of a Jaguar F-Type R Coupe wearing an outlandish aerodynamics package have boosted anticipation that Jaguar is ready to unleash a lighter, faster F-Type. A hardcore Jaguar F-type ‘GT3’ would be a natural rival for stripped-out specials like the Porsche 911 GT3 and Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale.

The Jaguar F-Type Coupe in our pictures has its engine spec betrayed by its four exhaust pipes. What’s totally new here is the fixed rear wing with racecar-style endplates, fitted instead of the F-Type’s pop-up airbrake.

Plus, the front splitter is extended, ending in two sharp fang-like protrusions aimed at smoothing airflow around underneath the car. That’s then channelled out via a deeper rear diffuser, generating the downforce to up the F-Type R Coupe’s already stellar performance.

The Jaguar F-Type R Coupe’s supercharged 5.0-litre V8 already develops 542bhp and 680Nm, which is enough to power it to 62mph in 4.0sec and 186mph flat out.

Those numbers could be bettered if Jaguar decides to shed weight from the F-Type ‘GT3’ with using measures like fixed bucket seats, carbonfibre components and ceramic brakes. The same tactics were used when Jaguar’s Engineered To Order division dreamt up the limited edition XKR-S GT in 2013.

With the current Jaguar F-Type flagship – the R Coupe – costing £85,000, there’s headroom in the range for faster, more extreme versions of the British two-seater.

Porsche’s 911 GT3 costs £100,540, while the lightweight BMW M3 GTS and Mercedes C63 AMG Black Series both asked in excess of £110,000 when new. Jaguar could potentially tap into this track-ready sports car market, and save an 600bhp-plus F-type R-S for later in the car’s life-cycle.