Rendered Speculation: 2012 Jaguar F-type
For Jaguar fans, the one car that's been missing from the lineup for far too long is a direct replacement for the legendary E-Type. While Jaguar tried to compete on volume with Mercedes and BMW by producing cars like the S-Type and X-Type, concepts like the 2000 F-Type were left to whither on the vine. Now that Jaguar is under new management from the sub-continent, things are starting to change. A new, smaller sports car along the lines of the F-Type now seems to be set to arrive, perhaps as soon as 2012. Unlike the concept that looked like a smaller version of the previous generation XK, the production roadster is likely to take cues from new Jags, including the recently launched XF and the upcoming XJ. Power is expected to be provided by a variant of the current 3.0-liter Duratec, and while a turbocharged, direct-injected V6 variant of Ford's EcoBoost might not be out the question, it remains highly unlikely. The other question would be the name. Now that Jaguar has a pattern with XF, XK and XJ, it seems unlikely the new roadster will get badged as an F-Type. Do we hear XD, hearkening back to the old D-type?[Source: Road & Track]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
xpolarx 12:41PM (5/13/2008)
No...NO! It's all wrong. R&T, your rendered speculators are f***ing terrible sometimes.
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Mehul 12:41PM (5/13/2008)
Meh....
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anti-believer 12:44PM (5/13/2008)
Can we stop with the render speculation.
We know your just mad cause you're not with whom you like to be and that your stuck with Ford who keeps passing up your designs.
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andybee 1:16PM (5/13/2008)
+1
Alex 12:51PM (5/13/2008)
*THIS* is what Jaguar needs. Jaguar is not a volume brand; they are a manufacturer of lust and adrenaline. I would love to see Tata give Ian and co. free reign to design a sports car truly worthy to be considered an heir to the E-Type.
When the E-Type was launched it was revolutionary. It was powerful, agile, and gorgeous. On top of all that it was affordable. I think today's E-Type needs to stress light weight over raw grunt, and forward design cues over harkening back to former storied designs.
Jaguar is in an amazing position right now. They have arguably one of the greatest car designers of the 21st century and are owned by a company that wants - and can afford - to prove to the world that they are a serious competitor in the automotive industry.
This is all happening at a time when every auto manufacturer is only beginning to realize the need to change the way they design cars. Cars need to be lighter; they need to be efficient; the days of just throwing more cylinders and spark plugs at the added weight resulting from the safety devices are rapidly running out.
I, for one, am very anxious to see what Jaguar has to offer in the coming years. I truly think we all watching the rebirth of one of the most beloved and respected auto manufacturers the world has ever known.
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Terry 2:38PM (5/13/2008)
Very well said! I think this is Jag's time to shine.
Jimbo 12:52PM (5/13/2008)
I think they would have a hard time naming it XD since Scion already claimed it.
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osnofla 1:05PM (5/13/2008)
looks like a maserati
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Yaroukh 6:09PM (5/13/2008)
+1
Beastage 1:23PM (5/13/2008)
I been wondering for long time... what is the point of these renderings? are they released by the makers PR department or what?
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Will 1:57PM (5/13/2008)
There's a ton of S2000 in that nose. If this becomes a reality in a few years, I would expect something a little more in line with the XF, with a larger, higher grille opening. Just sayin'.
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Yaroukh 6:10PM (5/13/2008)
exactly, S2000 or the S2000-like-Maserati
AMcA 2:15PM (5/13/2008)
WAY too much S2000 in the nose.
They need to build that gorgeous E-type they showed a few years back. So what if it's a tad retro. It's so Jaguar, it makes everything that came before it look like, well, just a wind-up.
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British_Rover 2:57PM (5/13/2008)
Bah a V6 would be stupid in this car. The inline six that Volvo and Land Rover have would be perfect. That motor was designed to work in both transverse for FWD/AWD and longitudinal for RWD applications. The NA version of that motor makes around 230 hp and revs nicely. The turbo version makes about 285 and I am sure could be bumped up over 300 which should be just about right for the higher performance version.
Maybe the R model gets a lower power version of the new direct injection V8 or just a direct injected turbo inline six with even more boost.
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mk 4:01PM (5/13/2008)
Blank eyes and a squished XF nose does not a new design make.
If they want to get me away from my future boxster or cayman, they need to do a lot more than that.
A real stylistic harken back to the D-type would be nice. Something with very organic and graceful curves, pulled tight over a purposeful chassis and drivetrain.
It has to be compelling to overcome the 987's inherent mid-engine stability and weight balance, and boxer-engined low Cg.
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Paul 8:32PM (5/15/2008)
Jaguar have recently registered C-XE as a trade mark (along with C-XJ), suggesting a possible name for the new car.
Given the current oil price, thirsty V8s are destined for extinction. Remember the XJ220 only had a V6 and was stupidly fast for such a heavy car. Jonathon Palmer racing cars use the V6 in the JP1 and Formula Jaguar cars. If this new F-Type/XE whatever you want to call it is to be made of aluminium and weigh less than a fairy's fart, 6 cylinders are all it will ever need. I even predict a diesel version with the 2.7l or the predicted 3.0l oilburner.
Oh, the grille will be oval. That's the rule.
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