The new all-aluminum F-TYPE Coupe, including the first F-TYPE R model, expands the Jaguar lineup beginning in spring 2014 starting at $65,000. Available in three versions, the F-TYPE R Coupe is powered by a 550hp
All-new Jaguar F-Type Coupe & R
5-liter supercharged V8 engine and will reach 60 mph in 4.0 seconds, and a top speed of 186 mph (electronically limited)2. The F-TYPE S Coupe and F-TYPE Coupe are powered by 3-liter supercharged V6 engines in 380hp and 340hp forms respectively, giving 0-60 mph in 4.8/5.1 seconds and top speeds of 171/161 mph2.
The F-TYPE Coupe visual message is defined by three key ‘heart lines’, that visual message beginning with the formidable grille. It is from the twin ‘shark gill’ openings that sit either side of the grille that the essential first heart line – which mirrors the design of the F-TYPE Convertible – flows and begins to take shape. Running up through the headlamp, and accentuated by the LED ‘J blade’ signature running lamps, the line then arcs up over the front wheel arch before dropping elegantly as it runs through the door, washing out into the muscular rear haunch.
The second heart line begins at the rear edge of the door, swelling outwards and upwards to create a visually strong wheel arch, emphasizing the car’s rear-wheel drive layout, before dropping vertically through the tail lamp.
The third heart line forms the dramatic, cabin-rearward, sweeping roof profile of the Coupe. Providing an unbroken silhouette, it highlights the visual drama of the tapered cabin nestled between the powerful rear haunches. The distinctive side window design, finished as standard in bright aluminum, accentuates both the compactness of the car and the roof profile.
The expertise at Jaguar in aluminum vehicle architecture has been essential in enabling both the uncompromised design aesthetic, while delivering the fundamental dynamic attributes – essential to any sports car – of low mass and an extremely rigid body.
A fundamental requirement for excellent dynamic attributes, delivering that rigidity figure required some innovative engineering solutions in order to maximize strength without impacting on the design vision. Due to the lack of B-pillars, Jaguar’s engineers were presented with the challenge of keeping the design’s sleek, pillarless, low roofline – combined with the need to create the optimum amount of interior space – while still achieving the necessary rigidity and strength targets. The solution was a high-strength, hydro-formed aluminum alloy beam which runs from the front of the A-pillar through to the back of the D-pillar, through the door opening line and back to the rear quarter window.
The body side of the F-TYPE Coupe is made from a single piece aluminum stamping. This cold-formed aluminum body side eliminates the requirement for multiple panels and cosmetic joints. These exceptionally deep-draw aluminum stampings have totally eliminated the requirement for joints in the panel surface. The body side panel is fabricated from high-strength and formable AC600 aluminum, which has also been used for structural reinforcement. The use of AC300 T61 aluminum in the body structure of the car provides additional strength thanks to its energy absorbing properties, helping occupant protection.
Jaguar F-TYPE R Coupe
The F-TYPE R Coupe represents the pinnacle of the F-TYPE range. Powered by a 550hp 5-liter supercharged V8, the F-TYPE R Coupe achieves 0-60 mph in 4.0 seconds2 with an electronically limited top speed of 186 mph, 50-75 mph takes a mere 2.4 seconds2.
The supercharged engine of the F-TYPE R Coupe delivers not only exhilarating performance but also tremendous efficiency thanks to the technologies incorporated into it, including spray-guided direct injection (SGDI) and dual independent variable cam timing (DIVCT). The high-pressure die-cast lightweight aluminum block is stiffened with cast-iron liners and cross-bolted main bearing caps. The
four-valve cylinder heads are fed by a Roots-type twin vortex supercharger via two air to liquid intercoolers.
The F-TYPE R Coupe is fitted with an Adaptive Dynamics system3 that actively controls vertical body movement, roll and pitch rates. The system is designed to continuously monitor driver inputs and the attitude of the car on the road, adjusting damper rates accordingly up to 500 times a second to optimize stability. For the F-TYPE R, the Adaptive Dynamics controlling software has a bespoke tune, working in tandem with revised spring rates all-round to deliver consistent, progressive and exploitable handling. Compared to F-TYPE V8 S Convertible, spring rates are increased by 4.3% at the front and 3.7% at the rear.
Engaging Dynamic mode delivers firmer damping rates, increased steering weighting, faster gear changes and sharper throttle response. In the F-TYPE R Coupe, Dynamic mode is configurable on the central 8” touchscreen, allowing the driver to save vehicle settings.
In addition to the fundamental suspension changes, the F-TYPE R Coupe features a new second-generation Electronic Active Differential3 which works in conjunction with a Torque Vectoring system. The Electronic Active Differential (EAD) builds on the progressive handling advantages of a mechanical limited-slip differential by precisely controlling the amount of driveline torque fed to each wheel. The EAD utilizes an electric motor which operates a multi-plate clutch; by rapidly and continuously analyzing a range of electronic inputs it is able to immediately vary torque transfer to each driven wheel to
maximize traction.
The EAD system fitted to the F-TYPE R Coupe features a sophisticated second-generation controller. It continuously estimates surface friction, comparing that to the driver’s torque demand and delivering accurate locking torque as a result. A new handling controller also means the EAD has the ability to match the car’s response with the driver’s inputs during both on-power understeer or off-power oversteer conditions. Working in parallel with the Torque Vectoring system3, the controller is capable of reacting to the ECU’s torque request – ranging from open to full locking torque – in under 200 milliseconds.
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