Jaguar F-Type 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. 

Continuing the bad boy theme to showcase the F-Type Coupe, Jaguar has revealed the full 60-second commercial that will screen at the Super Bowl."Have you ever noticed that all the villains in Hollywood movies are Brits?"  Oscar-winning actor Ben Kingsley asks, before being joined by other 'bad boys' Tom Hiddleston (Loki in the Thor and Avengers franchise) and Mark Strong (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and a host of other flicks where he plays ice-cold villains).The cast goes on to explain that as villains they're "more focused" and "always one step ahead". And that with British accents they "just sound right".Titled Rendezvous, the ad has been directed by Oscar-winning Brit Tom Hooper (The King's Speech and Les Mis are the latest in his long list of successes) in a mock thriller style, with moody lighting and all the super-villain props of planes, attractive assistants -- and of course the F-Type Coupe.The first Super Bowl appearance for Jaguar, while highlighting the British stereotypes of classy, calculating baddies, the ad takes a similarly sterotypical wry approach, and proves very engaging as a result. Good to be bad? Indeed.Watch the desktop version of the Jaguar full Super Bowl ad here. This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

It's good to be bad, Jaguar claims. And the luxury brand is pushing that theme for their Super Bowl ads, featuring a line-up of British villains."Our gents have the character, intelligence and sheer determination to turn the world upside-down," the ad blurb claims. "These eminently admirable qualities are also present across the Jaguar R Performance line-up - and exemplified in a new British villain. Also known as the F-TYPE R Coupe."We've already seen Ben Kingsley in the main teaser, and now we get Tom Hiddleston in a second spot. Most recently seen playing Loki in the films Thor, The Avengers, and Thor: The Dark World, Hiddleston looks to be getting a final spot of bad boy under his belt before a possibly nicer stint in the upcoming Muppets Most Wanted.Watch the Tom Hiddleston Jaguar ad teaser on our desktop site.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

Lexus claims its cars are all about the pursuit of perfection -- but Toyota’s luxury division has made a less than perfect claim for its new V8 coupe unveiled at the Detroit motor show overnight. The company says the Lexus RC F has the “world-first use” of a Torque Vectoring Differential in a front-engine, rear-drive sports vehicle.The problem with that claim is that both the Jaguar F-Type convertible and coupe and Holden Special Vehicles GTS sedan introduced torque vectoring technology last year; Porsche’s 911 has had it for two years, although it is a rear-engined vehicle. “Torque Vectoring” is geek-speak for technology that can prevent a car from having a rear-wheel skid. Lexus claims its system works differently to others, however, the result is the same. Meanwhile, the world’s motoring media became frustrated with Lexus’ decision to not reveal more details about the performance of its new hero car, a pointer to the upcoming Lexus IS F replacement. Although Lexus appears to have over-hyped that claim too. Lexus said the RC F had the “most powerful ever Lexus 5.0-litre V8”, but the company would not say how much power or how fast the car would complete the 0 to 100km/h dash.One of the most popular automotive websites in the US, Jalopnik, summed up the mood at the show when it vented on Twitter: “The Lexus RC-F is faster than a Shelby Cobra, maybe. We dunno.” “The Lexus press conference debuting the RC F Coupe wasn't just slim when it came to details. It was totally devoid of them. No official specs, no nothing,” wrote Jalopnik.Lexus said the V8 concept coupe had “at least” 335kW of power and 520Nm of torque. The current Lexus IS F V8 sedan has 311kW and 505Nm. So no rocket grenade improvement, then. The end. Next story please.      

Bad boys, bad boys, wotcha gonna do?  Well, for a start, they're going to don some suave kit and help Jaguar sell the F-Type Coupe to the US as part of the brand's Super Bowl campaign. And the first teaser shows they've got some top-shelf baddies lined up as part of the 'British Villains' theme.First off the leash is screen and theatre legend Ben Kingsley -- with a shelf of Oscar, Grammy, BAFTA, Golden Globe and SAG awards, but most recently seen as the Mandarin in Iron Man 3.The Kingsley teaser is titled Rendesvous: The Set-Up, which suggests we could see a series of several pieces before we get to the Super Bowl in February. But its moody start gives little else away. "So they're coming ... all the usual suspects," Kingsley intones. "Oh -- and one new one. You'll be hearing from us." (Cue ominous laugh).The F-Type gets a quick cameo in the teaser as well, suggesting that we're going to see some blasting action in the finished piece. This promises to be one of those times when it's good to be bad.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott Watch the desktop version of the 2014 Jaguar Super Bowl teaser ad here.

There are exciting new releases planned across the board; from budget hatches to practical SUVs, to exotic supercars. We’ve broken them down into segments and likely price categories to help you. We've based our price estimations on the current market, but some estimations could change in the future, and some model ranges span across price categories, so be sure to check our other stories...New cars for 2014 | less than $20,000New cars for 2014 | $20,000-$40,000New cars for 2014 | $40,000-$59,000New cars for 2014 | $59,000-$100,000LUXURY CARSAudi A8: Audi will refresh its A8 flagship sedan lineup by mid-2014, with subtle styling tweaks and interior details, along with shuffled drivetrain options. (Approximately $188,000-$249,000)Audi RS7 Sportback: Essentially a five-door hatch version of the existing RS6 Avant, the RS7 will arrive in February with sleeker Sportback styling than the wagon, and the same 412kW/700Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. 0-100km/h is the same 3.9 seconds too. (Approximately $240,000)Bentley Continental GT S: While Bentley prepares its first SUV model, there’s not much else in store for 2014 from the legendary Brit aside from powered-up new S models added to the V8 Continental GT lineup. (Approximately $380,000)Jaguar XJR: Jaguar will add the new XJR to its XJ big sedan lineup in the first quarter, with the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 performance flagship to sit above the existing Supersport range-topper. (Approximately $350,000)Lexus RC: Lexus’ new RC coupe should arrive before the end of 2014 to take on the BMW 4 Series and Audi A5, with a choice of petrol V6 and hybrid drivetrains likely to expand to include a high-performance 5.0-litre V8 RC-F soon after. (Approximately $70,000-$130,000)Maserati Quattroporte and Ghibli: 2014 is set to be a big year for Maserati, with the new Quattroporte (Approximately from $250,000) arriving in V6 form in January, and V8 form in February, with the return of the smaller Ghibli sedan ( Approximately from $150,000) in March.Mercedes-Benz S-Class: Mercedes will cap its local S-Class sedan lineup in January, with the arrival of the $385,000 S63 AMG high performance model. The 430kW/900Nm twin-turbo V8 S63 will sit above the existing S350 and S500 models, and be joined by the diesel-electric S350 BlueTec hybrid and twin-turbo V6 S400 variants by June. (Approximately $250,000-$385,000)Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe: Mercedes’ upcoming S-Class Coupe is expected down under before the year’s end, with the yet to be officially revealed new model replacing the existing CL coupe models. A drop-top version is also planned, and a V8 and V12 petrol-only lineup is expected with an entry price north of $300,000 likely.Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid: The plug-in Panamera E-Hybrid is also due early in the year, with a supercharged 3.0-litre V6 and 70kW electric motor to enable 3.1L/100km fuel use with 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.5 seconds. (Approximately $296,900)SUV/4WDLand Rover Range Rover: Before mid-year, Land Rover will add a range-topping lineup (Approximately $250,000) with new hybrid versions of it and the Sport expected before the end of the year. (Approximately $102,000-$182,000)Porsche Macan: Porsche will add the new sub-Cayenne Macan SUV to its Australian lineup from June, with the cheapest diesel model forming a new entry point to Porsche ownership at $84,900. Twin-turbo 3.0 and 3.6-litre V6s will sit further up the price scale, with the 294kW top-spec capable of 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds. (Approximately $84,900-$122,900)SPORTS/PERFORMANCEAston Martin V12 Vantage S: Aston will add its fastest model this side of the ultra-exclusive One-77 in the first quarter of this year, in the form of the track-ready V12 Vantage S coupe. (Approximately $450,000)BMW M3 and M4: BMW’s new M3 and M4 mid-size performance heroes are set to arrive after mid-year, with the move to twin-turbo six power resulting in the fastest M3 to date, and matched by the renamed M4 coupe. (Approximately $124,000-$180,000)BMW i8: The i8 plug-in hybrid sports car is expected to arrive before the year’s end, blending grand tourer luxury with 4.4 second 0-100km/h acceleration and 2.5L/100km fuel economy. (Approximately $200,000)Ferrari 458 Speciale: The first of 60 Australian examples of Ferrari’s hardcore 458 Speciale are set to arrive before mid-year, with the lighter, more powerful track-focused special able to lap Fiorano 1.5 seconds faster than the old Enzo flagship. (Approximately $550,000)Jaguar F-Type Coupe: Jaguar will add the recently unveiled Coupe version of its stunning F-Type in the third quarter, with the 20kg lighter V6, V6 S and V8 S variants also expected to slightly undercut their soft-top counterparts on price. The Coupe-only F-Type R will sit at the top of the hardtop range, with the 404kW/680Nm spec V8 promising 0-100km/h acceleration in the order of 4.2 seconds. (Approximately $125,000-$200,000)Lamborghini Huracan: With the Gallardo now officially out of production, Lamborghini is keen to follow with its Huracan replacement to sit beneath the V12 Aventador models before June. The V10 Huracan is set to challenge Ferrari’s 458 with an uprated version of the Gallardo’s 5.2-litre V10 and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. From $428,000Nissan GT-R: Nissan will bring its latest incarnation of the GT-R performance coupe down under from March, with cosmetic upgrades the key changes for 2014. New LED headlights and taillights are changed for the first time since 2007, and mesh wheels keep Nissan’s giant-killer a fresh opponent for Porsche’s new 911 Turbo models. (Approximately from $170,000)Porsche 911 Turbo and GT3: Porsche will launch several key hi-po versions of the 991 911 to its Australian lineup in the first half of 2014, with the $359,800 Turbo and $441,300 Turbo S arriving first in coupe and convertible ($29,000 premium) guises, with the $294,000 track-oriented and now PDK-only GT3 soon after.Porsche 911 Targa: The new semi-convertible unveiled in Detroit will touch down in Australia before mis-year, with a new folding roof mechanism and all-wheel drive 4 and 4S versions. Both manual and PDK auto will be available, and prices will sit $2,300-$3,300 over existing Cabriolet models. (Approximately $247,900-$291,050)CONVERTIBLESAston Martin Vanquish Volante: For those who prefer their V12 Astons roofless and with a back seat, Aston will bring the Vanquish Volante to Australia in the first quarter of 2014. (Approximately $510,000)Bentley Continental GTC S: Like the hardtop GT, the soft top Continental GTC is set to score a powered up S model in 2014. (Approximately $420,000)BMW 4 Series convertible: The folding hardtop version of BMW’s 4-Series coupe is expected by March, and echo its hardtop sibling with 420d, 428i, and 435i drivetrains. (Approximately $85,000-$120,000)   

Official images of the Jaguar F-Type Coupe have been released just hours after leaked ones appeared on the internet earlier today ahead of the car's official unveiling in Los Angeles. The Jaguar shots -- and the leaked ones from the next issue of Germany's Auto Zeitung magazine -- show the new hardtop in all its gorgeous glory. Based on the C-X16 Concept unveiled at Frankfurt two years ago, the F-Type Coupe has fairly closely echoed that blueprint.Jaguar Australia hasn't released local pricing for the Coupe, which is expected to arrive here from the third quarter of next year. And the prices of the convertible -- from $138,645 to $201,945 -- may be repositioned, with the local HQ  suggesting they may reposition pricing to retaliate against Porsche price cutting.  "The F-Type was never going to be a volume-seller but it is a halo car for the brand and we'll defend its position in the segment as required," Jaguar Land Rover Asia-Pacific boss David Blackhall told Carsguide.

Jaguar unveiled the new F-Type Coupe in all its gorgeous glory just an hour apart at motor shows on two sides of the world, with both Tokyo and Los Angeles getting to see the car. Based on the C-X16 Concept unveiled at Frankfurt two years ago, the F-Type Coupe has fairly closely echoed that blueprint with its streamlined design, and showcased it by debuting the car in race-inspired top spec.The three-model line-up is led by the show star F-Type R Coupé powered by a 404kW/680Nm 5.0-litre V8 supercharged engine that gets to 0-100km/h in 4.2-seconds, and to a top speed of 300km/h (electronically limited), making it more powerful and swifter than the top-spec convertible V8 S, with its 364kW/625Nm and 4.3 sec time.The two other variants have the same power outputs and acceleration as the convertible, with the entry' F-Type’s supercharged 250kW/450Nm 3-litre delivering a 0-100km/h time of 5.3 seconds, while the mid-spec 'S' is powered by a 280kW/460Nm V6 for a 4.9sec sprint. A fourth engine -- tipped to be the 180kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder borrowed from Jaguar Land Rover stablemate Evoque -- could slot in to make a new entry level for the Coupe.An eight-speed 'Quickshift' sequential auto transmission with paddles delivers drive to the rear wheels, for which the R and S coupes  can option a carbon-ceramic matrix brake package with 398mm discs on the front and 380mm on the rear. An electronic active differential works in concert with a new torque vectoring system to optimise handling.A panoramic glass roof features in the official images, but not on some of the leaked ones, meaning it's likely to also be an optional extra for those who still want a bit of air in the cabin but don't want to go the full monty with the convertible. Jaguar Australia hasn't released local pricing for the Coupe, which is expected to arrive here from the third quarter of next year. And the prices of the convertible -- from $138,645 to $201,945 -- may yet be altered, with the local HQ  suggesting they may reposition pricing to retaliate against Porsche price cutting.  "The F-Type was never going to be a volume-seller but it is a halo car for the brand and we'll defend its position in the segment as required," Jaguar Land Rover Asia-Pacific boss David Blackhall told Carsguide.

Jaguar has booked into the world's most expensive ad programming, the annual US Super Bowl -- which sees more interest in its ads than in the football final being played out on the field.

The Jaguar F-Type Coupe will get its official unveiling at the Los Angeles motor show later this month, but the brand has released the first official teaser image giving us a glimpse of the hardtop. Based on the C-X16 Concept unveiled at Frankfurt two years ago, the F-Type Coupe is expected to stick closely to that blueprint. The birds-eye photo they've released shows little of the styling -- which will echo the F-Type convertible -- but does reveal a glass roof and hatchback tail carrying the active spoiler. Under the bonnet is most likely to be the same engine line-up as the convertible. The 'entry' F-Type is powered by a supercharged 250kW/450Nm 3-litre that delivers a 0-100km/h time of 5.3 seconds, while the mid-level 'S' gets a 280kW/460Nm V6 for a 4.9sec sprint, and the top-spec V8 S gets the 364kW/625Nm snarler clocking a 4.3sec time. There's no indication yet of the coupe's Australian pricing when the Coupe goes on here from the third quarter of 2014. The convertible ranges from $138,645 for the base supercharged V6 up to $201,945 for the V8 S. However Jaguar's local HQ has already said they might reposition prices to better equip the F-Type against price cuts from Porsche. This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott