A significant way to increase new car sales is to increase the number of ranges and derivatives they offer,
more models attract a wider range of customers – Audi’s sales growth has been done that way.
With the new Jaguar XE compact sports saloon now going on sale, with the larger new XF shortly to arrive, the XJ limousine already updated and the F-Pace SUV based on the XE due to go on sale early next year, Jaguar has picked up the pace with more new and updated models.
As an example the 2016 model year Jaguar F-Type two-seater range has been increased from six to 14 models, equally split between the two door Coupe and Convertible body styles. Prices range from £51,250 to £91,650 for the F-Type Coupe and £56,735 to £97,135 for the Coupe.
The 2016 changes are detailed but significant and should boost appeal and increase sales of these niche supercars from the hundreds into the low thousands. The main additions to the range is a torque on demand all wheel drive option and a six-speed manual gearbox option instead of just the previous rear wheel drive all automatic models. However these new 2016 additions are not all available for all models.
Other 2016 enhancements include electric power steering which reduces CO2 emissions by up to 4g/km on the Combined Cycle, torque vectoring by braking which was standard on R derivatives and still is and becomes standard on S versions and an option on the entry level V6 340hp models. Sport Design Packs standard on R versions are options for other versions and there are new InControl Touch and InControl Touch Plus infotainment systems which support Apple and Android smartphone connectivity and even remote engine starting.
The two all aluminium body types now mirror each other in terms of engine and transmission choices. There is a choice from three supercharged petrol engines’; the standard F-Type 3.0-litre V6 340hp or the S spec 380hp units and the R spec 5.0-litre V8 550hp powerhouse. The 340hp engine is available with rear wheel drive with manual and auto gearbox options. The 380hp has manual/auto gearbox choices with rear wheel drive and all wheel drive (AWD) with the auto gearbox. The headline 550hp models are available with rear wheel drive or AWD but only with automatic gearbox. Sharp eyed F-Type enthusiasts will notice the R Convertible now uses the 550hp supercharged V8 engine from the Coupe instead of the previous 496hp supercharged unit.
In terms of performance in terms of top speed acceleration, mpg and CO2 emissions there is little difference between 6-speed manual and 8-speed Quickshift automatic gearbox models and the same applies between rear wheel and AWD models. The V6 340hp unit tops out at 161mph, zero to 62mph is 5.3-seconds, 33.6mpg with 199g/km of CO2. The V6 380hp engine offers 171mph, 0-62mph in 4.9-seconds, 32.0mpg and 203g/km. The hero V8 550hp unit has a top speed limited to 186mph, 0-62mph takes 4.2-seconds returns 26.4mpg with CO2 at 255g/km for rear wheel drive versions but 0-62mph at 4.1-seconds and 25mpg with 269g/km for the AWD drivetrain.
At the media launch for the 2016 model year Jaguar F-Type the new all wheel drive (AWD) system was showcased with the R Coupe with its fearsome 5.0-litre, V8, supercharged petrol engine. This produces 550hp and a mighty 680Nm of torque (502lb ft) at 3,500rpm. The price is a very hefty £91,650. The same F-Type 5.0-litre model with rear wheel drive costs £4,850 less at £86,800, so financially it is a big consideration. With the rear wheel drive and AWD models having 255 and 269g/km of CO2 emissions respectively both are in the top league for VED road tax at £1,100 for Year One followed by £505 for Year Two onwards. The AWD model returns 1.4mpg less in the Combined Cycle at 25mpg and of course both are in the most expensive Group 50 for insurance. For the record our relatively short but fast test drive returned 22.8mpg in real life conditions which included fast opening winding roads and dull stop-start in-town traffic.
The F-Type 5.0-litre AWD gearbox uses the brand’s Quickshift eight-speed automatic and drive most of the time is to the rear wheels. An electronic clutch control unit monitors what throttle and steering inputs are being used, monitors the road grip available and then it transmits up to 30% of the power forward when required during hard acceleration or very fast cornering to reduce understeer. When it’s wet or even worse with ice or snow, the benefits of added traction from both axles has obvious advantages.
For our summer-time dry road test driving experience using the winding roads of Wiltshire there was not obvious experience of the AWD system working.It was totally non-intrusive but comforting to know that with this amount of power and torque available things are going on behind the scene to keep you safe. Under hard straight line acceleration there was less noise and smoke from the rear tyres and no indication that the tail end was going to ‘wag’. Accelerating speedily through corners the AWD Coupe felt really well balanced and the new electronic power steering gave good and precise feedback. The ride was as hard as ever and the rear end shimmied about as the wide fat tyres followed the ruts in the road surface.
In short with the AWD system coupled with this monster of an engine there is no fuss or drama and for some that will detract from the driving thrill. Most of the time it felt no different to driving the rear wheel drive version. Has it become too sanitised – probably yes and it’s expensive so it is hard to justify the price walk up to the AWD models. But for some owners having the top of the range version is good for their ego. In that context there is still the iconic 5.0-litre V8 raucous exhaust note, a signature of the F-Type to stir our driving senses and to alarm pedestrians.
MILESTONES: 2016 Jaguar F-Type 5.0 R Coupe AWD automatic. Price: £91,660.
Engine/transmission: 5.0-litre, V8, supercharged petrol, 550hp, 680Nm (502lb ft) at 3,500rpm, 8-speed automatic, variable AWD. Performance: 186mph (restricted), 0-62mph 4.1-seconds, 25mpg Combined Cycle (22.8mpg on test), CO2 269g/km, VED road tax £1,100 First Year rate then £503 Year Two, BIK company car tax 37%. Insurance group: 50. Warranty: 3-years/unlimited. Dimensions/capacities: L 4,470mm, W 1,923mm, H 1,311mm, boot 407-litres, 2-seats/2-doors. For: Immense power, huge grip, fast and fun race car performance for road/track use, well equipped, classic high quality sports Jaguar interior. Against: Big price increase over rear wheel drive models, fidgety and very firm ride, huge running costs. Miles Better News Agency
