2014 Jaguar F-Type Debuts in Paris

The all-new Jaguar F-Type has just been unveiled at an event in Musée Rodin, Paris.

2014 Jaguar F-Type
The all-new Jaguar F-Type has just been unveiled at an event in Musée Rodin, Paris. The Jaguar F-Type two-seater convertible is a big deal for Jaguar, since it is a continuation of a sporting bloodline that stretches back more than 75 years. The F-Type was originally preview by the Jaguar C-X16 concept that debuted last fall. The biggest difference between the concept car and what you see here is that the roof has been chopped off the F-Type. It still hasn’t been decided if Jaguar will build a coupe version.
Jaguar F-Type
“With the F-Type, the Jaguar engineering team focused on delivering greater dynamic driving reward than ever before. To make that a reality, every engineer has had very tough targets to hit: every one of those targets has been met and, in many cases, exceeded, making the F-TYPE a car that delivers precisely the key sporting attributes that we intended.”

Three versions of the F-Type will be available at launch – F-TYPE, F-TYPE S and F-TYPE V8 S. A new 3.0-liter V6, developed from Jaguar’s highly acclaimed 5.0-liter V8, is available in either 335-hp or 375-hp variants, powering the F-TYPE and F-TYPE S respectively. The F-Type S reaches 0-60mph in 4.8 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 171 mph, while the V6 F-TYPE accelerates to 60mph in 5.1 seconds and has a top speed of 161 mph. The V6 models are joined by a newly 5.0L V8. Producing 488-hp and 461 lb-ft. of torque in the F-TYPE V8 S model, it accelerates to from 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 186 mph.

Jaguar F-Type

Taking inspiration from the C-X16 concept, the front of the F-TYPE features a new interpretation of the bold angular Jaguar grille from which flows the muscular hood with its signature ‘power bulge’. The all important heartline begins its journey in the blade dissecting the shark-like gills on either side of the grille before leading the eye to the top of the front wing, emphasized by the bi-xenon headlamp and integral LED daytime running lights, into the door and towards the rear of the car where it gracefully disappears.

Its journey is taken up at this point by the second heartline which swells out to form the muscular rear haunch before sweeping dramatically around the sensual low tail, made possible by the inclusion of an active rear spoiler which deploys at speed to reduce lift by up to 120kg. Full LED rear lamps create a new Jaguar sports car signature by reinterpreting classic cues from the past and, by wrapping around to the trailing edge of the rear wheelarch, emphasise the powerful stance of the car and its rear-wheel drive sporting potential.
The focus on driver involvement and sporting performance in the F-TYPE is emphasised by the ‘one plus one’ layout of the asymmetric cabin. This is evidenced by the grab handle which sweeps down the centre console on the passenger side, delineating it from the driver’s position. Further differentiation is provided by the use of different trim materials either side of the cabin, with a more technical finish on the driver’s side.

2014 Jaguar F-Type

Taking inspiration from cockpits of fighter airplanes, the controls are ergonomically grouped by function. Further aeronautical inspiration can be found in the joystick-shaped SportShift selector controlling the eight-speed transmission. The air vents on top of the dashboard will only deploy when instructed to by either the driver or complex control algorithms, staying tucked discreetly out of sight in other circumstances.

Jaguar hasn’t announced the pricing for the F-Type, but it will arrive in the U.S. as a 2014 model.