Jaguar to launch new F-Type sports car

Jaguar has revealed that it will launch a new sports car - named the F-Type. It will be unveiled in production form this September at the Paris Motor Show before going on sale in mid 2013. Smaller than the XK, the F-Type will also be cheaper with prices expected to start at around the £55,000 mark with top versions costing £70k.

Based on the C-X16 concept car shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year, Jaguar says it has accelerated development of the F-Type following a very positive response to the concept car. The two-seater convertible is currently undergoing its final on-road testing around Jaguar's Castle Bromwich plant, where it will also be built.

It should be a very strong alternative to the likes of the new Porsche Boxster, Audi TT RS and Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG, while thanks to the use of aluminium in the construction, it will also be light weight with what Jaguar describes as 'driver reward' when it comes to handling. The interior is rumoured to look pretty much identical to the C-X16 concept.

Power will come from a range of new petrol engines delivering the kind of performance you'd expect from a Jaguar. The C-X16 concept was powered by a 3.0-litre V6 with 380PS and 450Nm that was mated to a hybrid system to boost power further.  The production car will get a similar sized engine, albeit without the hybrid drivetrain, which is based on the 5.0-litre V8 from the XK. Power is expected to be around 250bhp for standard models with R versions producing as much as 375bhp thanks to the addition of a supercharger.