Commenting on the new Jaguar, the company’s Global Brand Director, Adrian Hallmark, said: “That car will be called the F-type, and it will be unveiled in production form later this year.
“The core appeal of Jaguar's cars is their sporting heart, and that heart will beat stronger than ever before in the F-type. Its development is a vivid representation of the confidence and ambition of the Jaguar brand, and the desire amongst our engineers and design team to produce a world-leader in a market segment that we have been absent from for too long. But no longer – the F-type is coming."
Okay, so what sort of car will be made? It’s likely to be priced mid-way between the Porsche Boxster and the current XK sports cars. Not ‘bargain basement’. This will be a tough ask as the latest Boxster has finally shaken off its ‘hairdresser, not-a-911’ image and is a very fine driver’s car indeed. When the German company produces a Cayman version – as it will surely do – Jaguar will have some tough opposition. An F-type coupé is likely in years to come.
That said, the Jaguar/Land Rover company makes a range of superbly engineered cars and is currently enjoying sales success worldwide. No details of engines or likely performance were given in New York, although “a new powerplant family” was promised. Small-capacity, turbocharged petrol V6s – say – would make a lot of sense for this car and the brilliant Range Rover Evoque, currently a touch ‘under-engined’ for its price.
Photos: Jaguar
