The Jaguar F-Type coupe embodies the uncompromised design vision of the stunning Jaguar C-X16 concept sports coupe that debuted at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. We here at Autodealer are all in agreement that the Jaguar F-Type is one of the hottest cars around. We found the supercharged 8-cylinder F-Type coupe R to be absolutely brutal when it came to its acceleration. Now though Jaguar has given the F-Type four-claw grip thanks to a new all-wheel drive system.
Jaguar seems to be reviling in their record breaking land speed record accomplishment at the moment. They need to keep that winning spirit alive so it was a given that they would improve on one of their best sports cars. We always had a suspicion that Jaguar would add all-wheel drive to the F-Type. A short, rear-wheel drive car sending 405kW of power to the rear wheels will always be fun, don’t get us wrong however if you want the best traction off the line then you need all four wheels working together.
The F-Types fundamentals remain true to Jaguar’s core DNA of refined power, perfect proportions, outstanding design, and lightweight construction – the addition of all-wheel drive has increased the F-Types weight by just 80kg. The result is a car with a greater breadth of dynamic capability, offering drivers a heightened sense of connection to the road.
Integrating an AWD system required only subtle changes to the F-TYPE’s acclaimed styling and the enhancements give the AWD F-Types even more presence.
The aluminium clamshell bonnet gains a deeper central power bulge. Either side are distinctive new vents, positioned further apart and further forward than those of rear-wheel drive F-Type models.
From behind the wheel, drivers will quickly notice the extra dimension that AWD adds to performance, handling and road holding in all conditions – and especially on slippery road surfaces.
The AWD system features Intelligent Driveline Dynamics (IDD), a control system designed and developed in-house to exploit the maximum benefits of AWD without any compromise to Jaguar dynamics DNA. IDD is networked to the powertrain, rear differential and centre coupling and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system to provide optimum torque distribution.
Operating on the torque-on-demand principle, the AWD system sends 100 per cent of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels under normal driving conditions. This maintains the F-TYPE’s rear-wheel drive handling characteristics and also reduces parasitic losses in the drivetrain.
If the system determines that the rear wheels are approaching the limit of available grip the electronically controlled centre coupling transfers torque to the front axle, improving traction.
We all know that better traction off the line improves a vehicles zero to 100km/h time. The F-Type boasts a sprint time of 4.1 seconds and will easily reach 300km/h.
The Jaguar F-Type AWD R coupe can be customized with many various items according to specific customer tastes.
The starting price for this hot kitten is R1 744 900 (including VAT but excluding CO2 taxes of R15 287).
Is it better than the recently launched Mercedes-Benz AMG GTS? We would live to find out.
