Jaguar F-Type gains four-cylinder option

Due to be launched locally in the fourth quarter of this year, a turbocharged four-cylinder variant of the Jaguar F-Type has been revealed internationally. The four-cylinder model coincides with the MY18 update of the sports car, and is aimed at a broader range of buyers, including those who don’t need the performance of the V6 and V8 models in the range, yet still want the F-Type’s styling and dynamic ability.

The four-cylinder engine is the latest addition to the Jaguar F-Type range, and pricing starts from $107,300 plus options and on-road costs, more than $12,000 less expensive than the 250kW V6 model.

The latest Jaguar F-Type variant uses the same 2.0-litre Ingenium tubro petrol engine in the XE sports sedan, albeit with a higher tune. It produces 221kW of power and 400Nm of torque, placing it below the 250kW supercharged V6 variant. While the four-cylinder variant has less engine than other F-Type models, it also has less weight – 52kg, to be precise. This means that its total weight has fallen to 1,525kg.

“Most of the weight reduction is over the front axle, making the car beautifully balanced and really agile to drive – as you’d expect, the car is really at home on beautiful twisty roads. Couple that with a four-cylinder exhaust note and this particular F-TYPE has a character all of its own. I like to think of it as the feisty younger brother of the V6 and V8 models” said Erol Mustafa, Chief Product Engineer, Jaguar Sports Cars.

Like other F-Type variants, the four-cylinder is mated to an eight-speed Quickshift automatic as standard, though unlike some variants, no manual transmission is available. Jaguar claims a 0-100km/h time of 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 249km/h. The new engine is also the most power efficient engine in the Jaguar range, with just over 110kW per litre. Jaguar claims a fuel consumption average of 7.2L/100km, with emissions of 163g/km of CO2.

The four-cylinder turbo F-Type also coincides with the launch of the MY18 F-Type, with subtle updates around the car to ensure that it remains fresh. Redesigned bumpers are immediately noticeable, as are all-LED headlights. On the inside, new slimline sports seats are available, as is the new Touch Pro infotainment system and added chrome interior trimmings. Exterior and interior colour combinations have been revised for the MY18 model as well.

Safety features have also been given a boost, with a new forward-facing stereo camera including Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist and a Driver Condition Monitor.

With the addition of the four-cylinder to the Jaguar F-Type lineup, the model range now looks like this:

F-TYPE Coupé and Convertible:
221kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder; Quickshift RWD
250kW 3.0-litre V6; Quickshift RWD/ manual RWD
280kW 3.0-litre V6; Quickshift; RWD/ AWD, manual RWD

F-TYPE R-Dynamic Coupé and Convertible:
221kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder; Quickshift RWD
250kW 3.0-litre V6; Quickshift RWD/ manual RWD
280kW 3.0-litre V6; Quickshift; RWD/ AWD, manual RWD

F-TYPE 400 SPORT Coupé and Convertible:
294kW 3.0-litre V6; Quickshift RWD/ AWD
F-TYPE R Coupé and Convertible:
404kW 5.0-litre V8; Quickshift AWD

F-TYPE SVR Coupé and Convertible:
423kW 5.0-litre V8; Quickshift AWD

Full Australian pricing and specification for the MY18 Jaguar F-Type range is yet to be announced. Four-cylinder models arrive from the fourth quarter of this year.