Jaguar F-Type To Be Offensively Loud
Among the various rumor-mongers in the automotive world, UK rag Auto Express has a pretty good track record of publishing “spy photo renderings” that look just like the real thing. So when they published some drawings and a video of the Jaguar F-Type, it was worth paying attention.
The F-Type is Jaguar’s long-awaited sports car, designed to be more focused and less expensive than the XK grand tourer. Styling is said to be “95 percent of the C-X16”, that lovely concept that Jag debuted a year ago. The F-Type will apparently use a 3.0L V6, which will be a cut down version of the XK’s 5.0L V8. Like its big brother, there will be normally aspirated and supercharged versions, as well as an aluminum spaceframe chassis.
Two notable absences for the F-Type; a hybrid powerplant, as was used on the C-X16 (it’s apparently not yet ready for production) and a manual gearbox. The only option is said to be a six-speed automatic, something that will doubtlessly attract its share of criticism from the sports car faithful.
A ragtop will debut first, followed by a coupe in the next 18 months following the launch. Jaguar decided to release the droptop first, since it required more engineering, and the release of a coupe down the road could help capitalize on the unending search for novelty that many sports car buyers undertake. Speaking of which, the F-Type’s hallmark is said to be a fantastically loud exhaust. Auto Express claims it resembles the legendary D-Type, but it’s hard to think that a fuel-injected modern V6 could ever equal a carb’d race-spec I6. Check out the video (which was produced for Jaguar’s New York Auto Show press conference)
More by Derek Kreindler
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so the journo is being driven across three lanes and his comment is that his ribs are getting squeezed? yeah that's credible. another car for poseurs. i wonder if Camry SE v6 would beat its ass.
I've never heard an aluminum chassis described as stiff. Flexi-flyer I've heard, but not stiff, then again I been surprised by weirder things.
"By serious bike riders." Oh them...what sort of bike riders? BMXers? Mountain biker? Road Racers? Sprinters? or just ones with a stern disposition? Most cyclists be they serious or jovial, are not materials engineers. Their belief that cycles with aluminium frames give less compliant ride may well be correct (or it may be only perceived), but it may be due to factors other than the frame being made of aluminium. If you can point to some real evidence not just anecdote which may support this assertion that would be genuinely interesting and would add to the debate about the use of alternate materials in vehicle engineering.
For reference: The sound of an original D-type Jaguar...