Jaguar F-Type 2013 News

An all-paw version of Jaguar’s F-Type could be being readied as a British antidote to Audi’s drop-top quattros, if these recent spy photos are anything to go by.Unlike the current rear-drive F-Type Coupe and Convertible, this prototype’s front wheel is spitting snow from its tread at such a rate that suggests a loss of drive traction.Look closely at the tyre tracks behind the front wheel, and it’s pretty clear that the car has travelled about 2 metres since stopping, yet is throwing snow like a bogged front-driver.This is the first tangible hint of a possible all-wheel drive variant of the long-awaited successor to the E-Type, which could make use of the all-wheel drive system currently available in its XJ sedan platform sibling.The AWD XJ is available only with a version of the F-Type’s supercharged 3.0-litre V6, but the cobbled-together bonnet of this prototype suggests something else could be lurking within the engine bay.The quad exhausts at the rear suggest it uses the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 range-topping engine, but the same bonnet was sighted on other prototypes during the European summer, this time with the twin central exhaust tips used on V6 models.This suggests that the mule could preview the rumoured four-cylinder F-Type, which could undercut the current $138,645 base supercharged V6 to bring the model closer to the Porsche Boxster’s $101,500 starting price.The Jaguar Land Rover group (JLR) currently offer a 2.0-litre petrol turbo in the XF, Freelander and Evoque models, which is based on Ford’s 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine. A four cylinder F-Type would probably make use of the group’s new ‘Hotfire’ engine under development, which is slated to appear first in Jaguar’s new 3 Series competitor in 2015.Another long shot could be a version of the Range Rover Hybrid’s petrol electric drivetrain, which integrates a 35kW electric motor within the ZF eight-speed auto also used by the F-Type. However, anyone who’s seen the size of an F-Type Convertible’s boot will wonder where the requisite battery system could hide. 

Carsguide was delighted to learn this week that our free iPad app, CarsMag, has been chosen as a finalist in the Motoring Magazine of the Year category of the prestigious global Digital Magazine Awards. The shortlisting among 10 finalists caps a great 12 months for CarsMag, which has grown to more than 35,000 subscribers.The Digital Magazine Awards are the premiere competitive showcase for the digital publishing industry, and target innovation, creativity and design as prime judging factors.The other nine finalists include some of the world’s leading brands: Auto Bild; BBC Top Gear; Dream Machines; ignition; Jaguar F-Type App; Motor Sport; Ride Through Magazine; and 2010 Motoring Magazine of the Year category winner Zoom-Zoom (Mazda magazine).Some of our own favourite reading is on that list and we’re truly honoured to be on it as well, no matter which way the judging goes when the winners are announced in London on November 26.To download the free app for iPad, visit the iTunes store here. 

The Jaguar F-Type starts from just under $140,000, so we were sceptical when we heard  that one was being given away. However, it turns out to be true -- with a catch: it comes with a house you have to buy first. While it might be the most expensive Jaguar F-Type ever, this deal from Surface Developments also includes a shiny designer home on Melrose. That's Melrose Avenue in Ottawa, Canada, not the Melrose Place in California (or your sweat-soaked college flashbacks). The house itself is stunning, but Surface Developments doesn't list the price on its site. And if you have to ask, well, you know the drill... The offer of a free F-Type with purchase of the home is a limited-time deal (though it's not clear how limited), so if you're interested in some swanky Canadian digs with a ride to match, you'd better act quickly. www.motorauthority.com

Anyone who wants a truly affordable F-Type Jaguar will have to wait a while. The starting price for the F-Type convertible is set today at $139,000, right between the Porsche Boxster S and 911, but the bottom line is likely to fall by at least $10,000 in late 2014 when the Cat coupe arrives. The convertible is the obvious early focus as Jaguar finally gets serious about sports cars for the first time since the 1960s, with a car that reinvents the classic E-Type. There are three models of F-Type convertible - at least for now - with the V6-powered starter car at $139,000, the F-Type S V6 at $171,400 and the V8 S at $202,300. “It's a relative bargain in Australia. And it is a lot of car,” says Jaguar's brand manager for Australia, Mark Eedle. “This car does what the box says. This is all about performance.” He rejects any suggestion that the F-Type is over-priced, and says the car sits right on target and that Australian buyers are getting a good deal. “We have worked very hard to make this car as affordable as possible. If you look at some of the other markets, we're doing alright. Some people might think it's not as affordable as they hoped, but it is more affordable than lots of other countries,” Eedle says. But the timing for the F-Type announcement is not good, as the Boxster S has just had a $6000 price cut in Australia that means it's now starting at $126,500. “There is white space between the Boxster S and 911. All along we've been talking about where we are positioning the car, and the pricing is exactly that,” says Eedle. “It wasn't intended to be head-to-head against Boxster S. So it shouldn't have been expected to be on their pricing.” Carsguide gets a first drive in the F-Type later this week in Spain, driving all three models. The basic F-Type has a 3-litre supercharged V6 that makes 250 kiloWatts for a claimed 0-100km/h time of 5.3 seconds - with standard equipment including 18-inch alloys, performance brakes, sports suspension and exhaust - while the V6-powered S jumps to 280 kiloWatts and 4.9 seconds, with the supercharged 5-litre petrol V8 producing 364 kiloWatts for a sprint time of 4.3 seconds. “We're talking about the sporting bloodline with this car. It you look at the E-Type it was 1961. It's been a lazy 52-year break since then,” Eedle says. “The F-Type was designed as a true sports car, not a grand tourer. This is taking us into the hard-core driver's segment. It's 911 all over.” Eedle refuses to discuss the upcoming F-Type coupe, or the potential for R and RS models with even better performance, even though they are clearly part of Jaguar's planning. “We don't comment on future product. But Jaguar's brand ambassador Adrian Hallmark is on record as saying 'It's a car we can do so many things with',” he says. This reporter is on Twitter: @PaulWardGover  

“His job was simple: deliver a car. But in the desert, nothing is simple.” And with those catchy phrases, Jaguar manages (quite nicely, we might add) to suck you into Desire, an upcoming short film by Ridley Scott Associates that makes us want the 2014 Jaguar F-Type more than we already do. Piecing the plot together from earlier teasers, Desire is the ageless boy-meets-mysterious-girl-and-heavily-armed-drug-lord story, set in the “middle of a lawless desert.” Damian Lewis plays the ever-composed delivery driver, Sidney Clark, while Shannyn Sossamon portrays the mysterious woman on the run. All is not as it appears, and when asked “Who are you,” Lewis delivers what may be the film’s best line. “Like I said, I do deliveries,” Lewis quips in a flat voice, clearly after proving that his skills extend far beyond handing over a set of keys. For that brief, fleeting second, the Sidney Clark character manages to come across as cooler than James Bond, which makes us want to see the film that much more. Look for Lana Del Rey’s song of the same name to feature in the film as well, which will really centre around screen time for the Jaguar F-Type. Like the car, we sincerely hope the video lives up to the hype surrounding it. www.motorauthority.com

Supercars stretch alluringly alongside family sedans. Auto exotica co-exist with humble hatchbacks. A good motor show is like that. Having been privy to every exhibit on view at the Australian International Motor Show, Carsguide was struck afresh that AIMS serves two purposes. The first is to provide car porn, to enable you to stare wantonly without risking arrest or society's censure. The second reason -- and this, ultimately, is why car makers gather their wares in vast pavilions - is to show you the cars you're going to buy. Given this glaring polarity, there's no single list -- definitive, subjective or otherwise -- of the “best in show”. There must be two lists. This year's AIMS marks the world debut of a unique, purpose-built and probably priceless German supercar and a little French five-door that's one of the best things you can get under $20,000. Batman's very own Lamborghini V12 is just across the room from Ford's 1.0-litre mini-SUV. The world debut of a Lexus sports coupe is separated by one stand from a returning name in affordable fun, the Pulsar SSS. Take it all in. If you can't be there to see it in person, see our iPad app. If you are at Darling Harbour in Sydney over the next week, family in tow, Carsguide asks only that you remember the cars are not creches. Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster  Price: $600,000 (est) Engine: 6.2-litre V8, 420kW/650Nm Thirst: 13.3L/100km Ably supported by two other special-edition AMGs, this topless, lustrous two-seater was created especially for AIMS. As with the Jaffa C63 and SLS Coupe of 2010, it comes with unique paint itself worth $20,000. See it while you can. 'see more Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster images and video' Lexus LF-FC II  Price: concept Engine: petrol-electric hybrid Thirst: N/A A mid-size coupe that retains even half the styling cues of this best-in-show contender is what's needed to shed Lexus's worthy but unexciting image. The Lexus Future-Luxury Coupe II packs a hybrid drivetrain, good for more than 370kW combined that is put to the ground via all four wheels. 'see more Lexus LF-FC II images and video' Lamborghini Aventador   Price: $754,000 Engine: 6.5-litre V12, 515kW/690Nm Thirst: 17.2L/100km This very bull-mobile appeared as Bruce Wayne's daily driver in that ultimate comic character realisation, 'The Dark Knight Rises', fitting in seamlessly with the usual array of stylised fantasy devices. It's in an all-star cast with two special Gallardos - a 550-2 Tricolore and a 570-4 Spyder Performante. 'see more Lamborghini Aventador images and video' Jaguar F-Type  Price: $250,000 (est) Engine: includes supercharged V6 Thirst: N/A Nostalgia isn't what it used to be, a lesson brought home by Ian Callum's roadster. Sure, it's a spiritual descendant of the endlessly feted E-Type but, as the alphabetical designation conveys, it's moved on in the manner of all recent Jaguars. The F-Type reminds us that Indian ownership is the best thing ever to happen to this quintessentially British brand. 'see more Jaguar F-Type images and video' Range Rover Vogue   Price: about $200,000 Engine: 4.4-litre V8 turbo diesel Thirst: 8.7L/100km From Paris in autumn to Sydney in spring, the new Rangie makes its first appearance outside Europe. A stride forward in most respects but the newcomer's most significant advance could be in what it lacks over the previous model - some 400kg. The leaner, meaner but greener turbo diesel V8 is the variant on show, complete with power tailgate and sunroof. 'see more Range Rover Vogue images and video'