New Jaguar F-Type looks better than ever.
The 2020 Jaguar F-Type comes in for a visual makeover that delivers a much sleeker design, while under the skin there are new engines and more in-car tech.
The Jaguar F-Type has always been a good looking car, with great proportions. Jaguar is giving it a thorough workover for 2020 that sees the introduction of new styling that gives it a very different look than before, but it stops short of being a completely new model. A new clamshell bonnet sees Jaguar use terms like ‘liquid metal’ to describe it, though this is far from being some kind of melted mess.
The combination of that bonnet, a new front bumper section that features enlarged apertures and a new hexagonal mesh insert, and what Jaguar refers to as ultra-slim Pixel headlights. The result is a noticeably more aggressive front end design that includes bonnet vents that are located further down the bonnet. The side vents on the wings also carry the Jaguar Leaper motif.
New tech inside the Jaguar F-Type
Although much of the cabin layout inside the F-Type remains the same, there is now a new 12.3-inch TFT digital instrument display that is configurable. It can display several different screens, including a full map view or more driver-focused things like a large rev counter with shift light. The Touch Pro infotainment system has been enhanced and offers the now usual smartphone connectivity with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Two Meridian sound systems are available, while Jaguar will also introduce over-the-air software updates for the car, thus reducing the number of dealer visits required.
Around the rear of the car, there is a more familiar look, though the F-Type does get new, slimmer taillights that incorporate the chicane lighting signature that we first saw on the electric Jaguar I-Pace. On the R models, the F-Type badging receives a black finish. Depending on which engine you choose, there are three different exhaust setups, ranging from a central quadrilateral unit for the base four-cylinder engine, and a quad-pipe setup for the range-topping F-Type R.
The Jaguar F-Type engine range
Kicking off the 2020 Jaguar F-Type range is the four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that is available with an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. This 300hp power unit may have only half the number of cylinders as the more potent cars in the range, but if you place looks and style over outright performance, then it will make sense for you. This version also has a torque output of 400Nm. At 1,595kg for the coupe (1,615kg for the convertible), it is also the lightest of the F-Type range and is still capable of doing a 0-100km/h run in 5.7 seconds before going on to a top speed of 250km/h.
All markets outside of Europe will get the 3.0-litre supercharged V6 with 380hp and 460Nm of torque. The additional power sees the 0-100km/h dash reduce to 4.9 seconds as top speed increases to 275km/h.
A newly designed V8 engine will top off the 2020 Jaguar F-type range and comes in two versions. The first is a supercharged V8 that produces 450hp and 580Nm, which can be specified with the choice of rear- or all-wheel drive. With either transmission, it will still hit the 100km/h mark in 4.6 seconds and can reach a top speed of 285kmh.
Topping off the range is the Jaguar F-Type R, an all-wheel-drive 575hp beast that offers raucous quad-tailpipes and a supercar baiting acceleration to 100km/h from rest in 3.7 seconds. With both the coupe and convertible, Jaguar quotes an electronically limited top speed for 300km/h. Faster gear changes come from software developed with the limited edition Jaguar XE SV Project 8 car that is said to give a more connected and responsive feel. Other improvements to this version include new springs and anti-roll bars, recalibrated steering and revised upper ball joins to increase camber and toe stiffness by 37 per cent and 41 per cent respectively. Larger brakes can be upgraded to Carbon Ceramic Matrix items, and it runs on new 20-inch wheels.