Introduction
The 2014 Jaguar F-Type is a new 2-seat, rear-wheel-drive sports car with a soft convertible top. When it goes on sale in the United States in the summer of 2013, the new F-Type will be offered in V6, S, and V8 S model designations.
The Jaguar F-Type is also charged with introducing a new design language to the luxury brand. Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director,
Jaguar, said: "The F-Type isn't designed to be like anyone else's sports car. It's a Jaguar sports car--ultra-precise, powerful, sensual and, most of all, it feels alive."
Exterior Features
Constructed upon new aluminum architecture, the 2014 Jaguar F-Type is designed to be as light and balanced as possible. The base curb weight is 3,481 pounds, according to Jaguar.
The F-Type's multi-layer convertible top employs Thinsulate material to insulate and isolate the cabin to the greatest extent. The top can be lowered or raised in 12 seconds, at speeds up to 30 mph, Jaguar says.
Key highlights of the Jaguar F-Type's design include a single-piece clamshell hood, an active rear spoiler that rises at 60 mph and stows if the F-Type drops below 40 mph, and hidden door handles that automatically deploy via the remote entry fob or by touching a sensitive spot on the handle and then retract once the car is underway.
The Jaguar F-Type features xenon headlights, J-blade LED running lights, and LED taillights. The grille and side vents are covered with a hexagonal mesh, and the F-Type V6 rides on 18-inch aluminum wheels.
A center-outlet exhaust system is standard on the F-Type V6 model. The F-Type S and F-Type V8 S models have quad exhaust outlets, two on each side of the car. The V8 S also has side sill extensions to help differentiate it from the V6 and S models.
Interior Features
Jaguar says that one of the goals with the new F-Type's interior was to create a driver-focused environment with logically grouped displays and controls. To this end, the F-Type features an asymmetric cabin design with different finishes used between the two occupant environments to underscore this intent.
Matte black, satin chrome, and dark aluminum are selected as finishes for the F-Type's interior. The F-Type S and F-Type V8 S have an Ignis Orange engine start button, paddle shifters, and Dynamic Mode toggle button, inspired by watches worn by professional divers.
The F-Type's seats offer power recline adjustment and power height adjustment in combination with manual fore-aft adjustment, and a 10-speaker Meridian audio system is standard equipment.
Optional Features
Purchase the 2014 F-Type S, and the car is equipped with gloss black exterior trim and a set of 19-inch aluminum wheels. The F-Type V8 S has 20-inch wheels.
Sport seats, full power seats, and a 770-watt Meridian premium audio system with individual Trifield surround-sound effect technology are available for the new Jaguar F-Type. Jaguar has also announced an optional Performance Pack with a flat-bottom steering wheel.
Under the Hood
The F-Type V6 model is equipped with a direct-injection, supercharged, 3.0-liter V-6 engine that generates 340 horsepower and 332 lb.-ft. of torque from 3,500 rpm to 5,500 rpm. Jaguar says it will accelerate to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds and achieve a top speed of 161 mph.
The F-Type S model has a more powerful version of that same engine, generating 380 horsepower and 339 lb.-ft. of torque across an identical rev range. Acceleration to 60 mph takes 4.8 seconds, and the F-Type S will go as fast as 171 mph.
The F-Type V8 S is equipped with a supercharged, 5.0-liter V-8 engine good for 495 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. of torque from 2,500 rpm to 5,500 rpm. It takes the V8 S 4.2 seconds to hit 60 mph, and Jaguar says top speed is 186 mph.
All three engines are paired with an 8-speed "Quickshift" automatic transmission with adaptive shift strategy, downshift throttle blipping, Corner Recognition technology, and manual shifting via paddle shifters or the gear selector. The gear selector employs F1-inspired manual shifting, which requires a push up on the stick to execute a downshift, and a pull back on the stick to execute an upshift.
Technology
The new F-Type is equipped with Intelligent Stop/Start technology, which shuts the engine off while coasting to a stop and idling in order to conserve fuel. The F-Type V6 model is equipped with an aluminum suspension, mechanical limited-slip rear differential, and Jaguar Performance brakes.
The F-Type S gets an Active Exhaust system (optional on the F-Type V6 model), Jaguar High Performance brakes, and a Jaguar Adaptive Dynamics electronic damping suspension.
Jaguar Super High Performance brakes are installed on the F-Type V8 S, and include the largest brake discs ever installed on a production Jaguar model. This version of Jaguar's new sports car also gets an active electronic rear differential.
The new F-Type also offers Configurable Dynamics technology that allows the driver to tailor specific performance-oriented features of the steering, throttle, suspension, etc. Additionally, Dynamic Launch Mode is available, providing the F-Type with a launch control system.
