Jaguar has revealed the all-aluminium F-TYPE coupe at the start of this year’s LA Auto Show. The new car will come in three versions: F-TYPE R, F-TYPE S and the F-TYPE.
The range-topping F-TYPE R coupe is powered by Jaguar’s 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine in 550PS/680Nm tune, delivering acceleration to 60mph in 4.0-seconds, and a top speed of 186mph (electronically limited).
The F-TYPE S and F-TYPE coupes are powered by Jaguar’s 3.0-litre V6 supercharged petrol engines in 380PS/460Nm and 340PS/450Nm forms respectively, giving 0-60mph in 4.8/5.1-seconds and top speeds of 171/161mph.
The F-TYPE coupe translates into production form the design vision of the Jaguar C-X16 concept sports coupe that debuted at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, with its cabin-rearward stance being defined by three ‘heartlines’. The first two heartlines – shared with the F-TYPE convertible – form the front and rear wings, the third heartline being the sweeping coupe roof profile.
“The purity of the C-X16 concept has been retained without compromise; the F-TYPE coupe’s long bonnet, low roofline and tapering cabin inspire me every time I see it,” said Ian Callum, Jaguar’s Director of Design.
The coupe’s body side is made from a single-piece aluminium pressing, which Jaguar designers claim is the most extreme cold-formed aluminium body side in the automotive industry, eliminating the requirement for multiple panels and cosmetic joints. The roof panel itself is available in either aluminium or panoramic glass form. A deployable rear spoiler sits within the tapered shut-line at the back, while slim, wrap-around LED lamps flank the tailgate, with optional powered open/close functionality. Measuring 33,000 Nm/degree, the F-TYPE coupe is the most torsionally rigid production car Jaguar has ever built.
To deliver improved handling in line with its 550PS output, the range-topping F-TYPE R features a custom suspension set-up that includes a second-generation Electronic Active Differential (EAD) and – for the first time on a Jaguar – Torque Vectoring by braking. A Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) braking system – featuring 398/380mm discs front/rear – is optional on both F-TYPE R and F-TYPE S Coupe models.
Every F-TYPE coupe model utilises Jaguar’s eight-speed close-ratio ‘Quickshift’ transmission, with full manual sequential control from the central SportShift selector or steering wheel-mounted paddles.
Source: Jaguar
