SPY PICS: Big updates on the way for 2020 Jaguar F-TYPE
Fast Jaguar coupe and roadster spotted testing, gets new BMW V8 turbo power and new cabin to freshen up aging British sports carA heavily updated Jaguar F-TYPE has been caught hot-lapping the Nurburgring ahead of its global launch in early 2020.
Despite only capturing a heavily disguised Jaguar F-TYPE coupe, a camouflaged roadster has also been spotted being tested too on the car-industry's favourite proving ground, indicating both versions are set to live on following the facelift.
Our first look at the camo'd coupe can't hide that the British car-maker is planning some big stylistic changes for the updated model that points towards a completely redesigned nose, reshaped bonnet and a pair of ultra-slim headlamps.
A larger, more aggressive grille is thought to complete the front-end changes, while at the back of the small Jag a pair of new tail-lights and a squarer rear profile completes the updates to the F-TYPE that has remained largely unchanged since it was introduced back in 2013.
Inside, the F-TYPE is thought to have a completely overhauled interior that bags a new infotainment system and a full digital instrument panel while adopting a design more inline with the latest I-PACE and XE sedan.
Under the bonnet is where you'll find the biggest differences as both the current car's supercharged 3.0-litre V6 and supercharged 5.0-litre V8 will be pensioned off.
The V6 will be replaced by the car-maker's Ingenium 3.0-litre inline turbocharged six-cylinder that will pump out at least 294kW and 550Nm of torque.
The supercharged V8, meanwhile, will be ditched for BMW's twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 that should produce at least 420kW but could muster up to 470kW and around 750Nm of torque – that's around 47kW and 50Nm more than the current F-TYPE SVR.
Helping boost efficiency, the new six-cylinder will come equipped with Jaguar Land Rover's new 48-volt mild hybrid tech that claws back energy under braking.
The hybrid gubbins help the F-TYPE coast more readily up to highway speeds and ensures more performance as the additional lithium-ion batteries power up an electric supercharger that eliminates turbo lag.
It's thought the current 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, that currently produces 221kW and 300Nm of torque, will carry over with only minor updates.
What's not known is if the new inline-six will be adapted to work with the current F-TYPE's six-speed manual or if the DIT cog-swapper will be dropped as part of the 2020 facelift.
As well as the new powertrains, it's been widely reported that Jaguar is considering a pure-electric version of the F-TYPE that could harness the power of the twin electric motors that drive the I-PACE – that version is now rumoured to have been pushed back to around 2023.
What could arrive before then is a roomier 2+2 grand tourer that could even hide a pair of rear doors. If so, the next-gen elongated F-TYPE will finally fill the void left by the discontinued XK.
That said, there's been no stretched F-TYPE mules spotted out in the wild yet, so the F-TYPE four-door might still be some way off.
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