LA MOTOR SHOW: Jaguar F-Type Coupe
Leaping cat sharpens claws with "most dynamically capable" car everOne of the year's worst-kept secrets, the Jaguar F-Type Coupe, has officially broken cover in Los Angeles, claiming to be the "most dynamically capable, performance-focused production Jaguar ever".
Stiffer and more powerful than its drop-top cousin and offering significantly more luggage space too, the F-Type Coupe has its sights set on the Porsche 911.
The 300km/h rear-wheel drive F-Type Coupe will follow its convertible cousin's lead with a troika of supercharged engines: two V6s and one V8.
Spearheaded by the 404kW/680Nm supercharged 5.0-litre V8 F-Type R version, the range includes the two supercharged 3.0-litre V6s already familiar in the convertible. Namely, the 280kW F-Type S and the ‘base’ 250kW F-Type – all encased in a full-aluminium body with an outstanding torsional rigidity figure of 33,000Nm/degree, making it the stiffest production Jaguar ever.
Indicative of how strong the soft-top F-Type already was, is the fact that the V6 coupes only weigh 20kg less than the V6 convertibles. The F-Type R coupe is only 15kg lighter than the soft-top V8.
These minimal weight differences show up in the performance figures, where the V6 coupes are no quicker than the soft-top equivalents, 5.3 seconds and 4.9 seconds for 250kW and 280kW versions respectively. Even the Jaguar F-Type R Coupe, at 4.2 seconds, is a mere 0.1 of a second faster to 100km/h than the 364kW/625Nm V8 convertible, despite smashing out an extra 40kW and 55Nm.
All versions drive through an eight-speed Quickshift sequential transmission, while the F-Type R sends torque through to a second-generation Electronic Active Differential which “works in parallel with a new Torque Vectoring system to deliver enhanced agility and exploitable handling at the limit.”
If you’re up for the extra cost, a carbon ceramic braking system is optional on all coupe versions.
Jaguar’s Adaptive Dynamics suspension system adjusts its behaviour according to driver input, controlling vertical body movement, roll and pitch rates to optimise stability. The configurable system in the F-Type R gets a more aggressive tune with spring rates increased over the V8 convertible version by 4.3 per cent at the front and 3.7 per cent at the rear.
The F-Type R also gets its own, switchable exhaust system in which the driver can choose from a muted or more in-your-face exhaust note.
The Jaguar coupe’s exterior design follows the convertible in most areas other than the sloping roof, which “highlights the visual drama of the tapered cabin nestled between the powerful rear haunches” and is terminated by a deployable rear spoiler.
The body is fabricated from a single aluminium pressing and can be specified with either glass or aluminium roof panels without affecting the torsional rigidity.
Boot space varies depending on whether or not you want a clear view through the back window. Measured to the parcel shelf, the F-Type provides 315 litres for storing luggage, while if you load up to the tailgate itself, the space increases to a useful 407 litres. Either way, there’s more to work with than in the convertible's 196 litre boot.
The Jaguar F-Type coupe is scheduled for an Australian launch late 2014. Prices and specifications, according to Jaguar Australia, will be announced during 2014.
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