After countless spy shots and spy videos of the Jaguar F-Type wrapped in newsprint camouflage, Jaguar has finally taken the wraps off its eagerly awaited sports car. As we expected, the new F-Type is a stunner, and it sounds like it has the potential to reestablish Jaguar as a builder of legitimate sports cars.
Three models will be offered, starting with the 335 horsepower, supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 powered base F-Type. Next up the food chain is the F-Type S, which makes 375 horsepower from the same forced-induction 3.0-liter engine. If that’s still not fast enough for you, a supercharged 5.0-liter version, called the F-Type V8 S, will make around 495 horsepower.
Base models will run the dash from 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 161 mph. Stepping up to the F-Type S lowers the 0-60 mph time to 4.8 seconds, while raising top speed to 171 mph. Finally, the F-Type V8 S delivers a 0-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds, along with a top speed of 186 mph. Both F-Type S variants come with limited-slip differentials, but only the V-6 version’s is mechanical (the V-8 gets an electronic limited slip differential).
Also, don’t forget that you can get discounted new car pricing with a free quote through qualified local dealer partners.
Jaguar says the interior design was inspired by the cockpit of a fighter jet, so controls are grouped by function and angled towards the driver. Don’t expect Jaguar’s usual gear selector knob in the F-Type; instead the eight-speed automatic transmission can be shifted via a console-mounted shifter or steering-wheel-mounted paddles. Sadly, a manual gearbox is not offered in any version.
Look for sales to begin next summer, with pricing to be announced closer to launch.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.