The F-TYPE, Jaguar's all-aluminium sports car, will in 2015 set new standards for dynamics and driver involvement with the addition of intelligent all-wheel drive (AWD) and six-speed manual transmission options, and Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) standard across the range.
The fundamentals remain true to Jaguar's core DNA of lightweight construction, refined power, perfect proportions and outstanding design - but now the F-TYPE Coupé and Convertible models deliver an even more rewarding, intuitive drive across a broader range now spanning 14 derivatives.
The latest driveline and chassis technologies heighten the sense of connection between car and driver and enable the F-TYPE to provide an even greater breadth of dynamic capability.
"Our target with engineering the all-wheel drive F-TYPE was to maintain that engaging rear-drive character that's so important to Jaguar sports car DNA, yet offer even greater dynamic capability. The result is a controllable, exploitable and blisteringly fast performance car in all weather and road conditions.
"With the manual transmission option for the V6 F-TYPEs, we've gone to intricate lengths to engineer a very precise, technical and responsive level of interaction between the driver, the clutch and the transmission shift mechanism. It's one for the driving purists - and I count myself as one of them".
Ian Hoban, Vehicle Line Director, Jaguar
The enhancements broaden the F-TYPE range to 14 models, from the new 340PS Coupé and Convertible with the supercharged V6 driving the rear wheels through a manual gearbox, to the 550PS F-TYPE R Coupé and Convertible with the supercharged V8, AWD and eight-speed Quickshift transmission. Transmitting the V8's 680Nm to the road though all four wheels helps the R models to accelerate from zero to 60mph in just 3.9 seconds on the way to a maximum speed of 186mph.
Integrating AWD required only subtle changes to the F-TYPE's acclaimed styling - a prerequisite which Jaguar's design and engineering teams worked side by side to achieve - and the enhancements give AWD F-TYPEs even more presence.
The aluminium clamshell bonnet gains a deeper central power bulge. Either side are distinctive new vents, positioned further apart and further forward than those of rear-wheel drive F-TYPEs. AWD V6 models also feature unique 19-inch Volution alloy wheels in either silver or diamond-turned Technical Grey.
From behind the wheel drivers will quickly notice the extra dimension that AWD adds to performance, handling and road holding in all conditions - and especially on slippery road surfaces.
The AWD system features Intelligent Driveline Dynamics (IDD), a control system designed and developed in-house to exploit the maximum benefits of AWD without any compromise to Jaguar dynamics DNA. IDD is networked to the powertrain, rear differential and centre coupling and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system to provide optimum torque distribution.
Operating on the torque-on-demand principle, the AWD system sends 100 per cent of the engine's torque to the rear wheels under normal driving conditions. This maintains the F-TYPE's rear-wheel drive handling characteristics and also reduces parasitic losses in the drivetrain.
If the system determines that the rear wheels are approaching the limit of available grip the electronically-controlled centre coupling transfers torque to the front axle, improving traction.
Another benefit of AWD is the ability to vary the front: rear torque split to mitigate oversteer during fast cornering by providing yaw damping. Combined with even higher levels of feedback from the new EPAS system - a technology Jaguar's chassis engineers have spent more than five years perfecting - the F-TYPE's performance is now even more accessible and exploitable.
While Jaguar's eight-speed Quickshift transmission offers an unequalled blend of shift speed, comfort and refinement, there will always be a select group of enthusiasts who want the satisfaction which comes from changing gear manually.
To meet that demand, the F-TYPE's engineering team developed a six-speed transmission exclusively for the high-revving V6 and rear-wheel drive (RWD) configuration. The short-travel gear lever with a throw of only 45mm, closely-spaced ratios, and pedals perfectly placed for heel-and-toe changes define what for some will be the definitive Jaguar sports car experience.
The F-TYPE becomes the first Jaguar sports car to use EPAS. Years of development ensure that the technology is now mature enough to deliver the benchmark response and feel expected. And because the system's electric motor provides power assistance only when needed, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are reduced - by up to 4g/km on the European combined cycle.
The Torque Vectoring by Braking (TVbB) function first developed for the F-TYPE R Coupé is now available on all models. Integrated into the DSC system, selectively braking the inside wheels mitigates understeer, helping the driver to take the ideal line through the bend. TVbB also helps to stabilise the car and minimise steering input during manoeuvres such as emergency lane changes.
Those seeking the ultimate in style and performance will now find it in the new F-TYPE R Convertible, available in RWD and AWD form and replacing the RWD-only 495PS F-TYPE V8 S. Jaguar's renowned 5.0-litre V8 combines direct injection and a twin-vortex supercharger to provide immediate response to the driver's request for power. With the roof down and an open road, this engine's unmistakable soundtrack becomes even more exhilarating.
Developing 550PS and 680Nm, the all-alloy quad-cam unit is matched exclusively to the Quickshift transmission and the choice or rear- or all-wheel drive. The extra traction of AWD enables the R Convertible to accelerate from 0-60mph in only 3.9 seconds - matching the AWD R Coupé - before reaching an electronically-limited top speed of 186mph.
Enhancements are not limited to the chassis and driveline technology. The instrument cluster features new dials and gauges. The infotainment system is upgraded too: navigation routing is much faster than before and SD card-based mapping is available for the first time.
And the F-TYPE can now be specified with InControl Secure and InControl Remote telematics functions. Should the vehicle be stolen, InControl Secure alerts the driver via a smartphone app and works with law enforcement agencies to locate and recover the vehicle. When away from the vehicle, InControl Remote makes it possible to check information such as the fuel level or the door lock status using a smartphone.
For the ultimate in comfort and convenience, the driver can use a smartphone to start the engine, enabling the climate control system to bring the cabin to the desired temperature before the journey even begins.
Customers who wish to make their F-TYPE look even more exclusive have the option of a Sport Design Pack: the bespoke splitter, sills, venturi and, for the Coupé, fixed rear spoiler, subtly enhance the styling without affecting the purity of line which sets the F-TYPE apart in the sports car segment.
Applying composite technologies first developed in motorsport and aerospace, Jaguar has engineered a carbon-fibre roof option for the F-TYPE Coupé. At just 4.25kg, the carbon-fibre panel is even lighter than the aluminium pressing. The high-gloss lacquer finish leaves the distinctive 'twill' weave of the fibres clearly visible.
The new 2016 model year F-TYPE Coupé range will consist of: F-TYPE Coupé (340PS, RWD Quickshift / RWD manual), F-TYPE S Coupé (380PS, Quickshift RWD or AWD, RWD manual), F-TYPE R Coupé (550PS, Quickshift RWD or AWD).
The new 2016 model year F-TYPE Convertible range will consist of: F-TYPE (340PS, RWD Quickshift / RWD manual), F-TYPE S (380PS, Quickshift RWD or AWD, RWD manual), F-TYPE R (550PS, Quickshift RWD or AWD).
