F Type

Author
Discussion

rick.e

Original Poster:

768 posts

278 months

Wednesday 26th December 2001
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Does anyone know the current status (Spec, timescale, price etc) of the jag F-Type? Also, how different is it from the show car given the (rumoured) change to mid engine?

adeewuff

567 posts

277 months

Friday 28th December 2001
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It's supposed to be out in 2004, get the latest Autocar they have a large article about it. However, I really think Jaguar are going to come unstuck with the project. My friend, who I won't name, was involved on the project and says it is hugely over budget.

Also the car is terribly under powered and only has a speed limiter placed on it to hide its low top speed.

If you look at the pictures in Autocar they seemed to have missed off the side intakes which are a major feature of the car.

Anyway, if the choice ever came for me to replace my Elise with the Jag/Boxster then it would be the Porsche every time....

Edited by adeewuff on Saturday 29th December 18:14

Edited by adeewuff on Friday 4th January 16:42

McNab

1,627 posts

281 months

Saturday 29th December 2001
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Sad, but you don't surprise me adee. I didn't realise the F was a runner, and it would be interesting to know a bit more about it. The speed limiter excuse is a subtle cover-up, but the other performance figures will give the game away. Can you get any more of the story from your friend? (Which engine, where, etc etc).

The only Jaguar person I could ask is Norman Dewis who used to be their kamikaze man. He tested things which had no hope of succeeding, in the fifties and sixties, but he will be about as ancient as me now so may have lost touch with the goings-on at the factory.

I have never believed in this project - it didn't seem practical from the outset, and I don't quite see the point of producing a watered-down XK8/XKR no matter how beautiful it looks. Surely they would have been wiser to concentrate on an XK replacement?

Hard to see how the F-Type could incorporate a roof, and without one it's on a hiding to nothing. You either manufacture something like a competition C or D-Type plus a civilised road car, or stick to road cars only. The F Type is neither.

Maybe they intended to do a Mercedes disappearing roof with all the extra weight and cost and wind noise etc etc built-in. Who knows? I wonder too whether or not Porsche regret the Boxster, because they seem to be spending an awful lot of money upgrading it, and at the same time avoiding too much similarity to the 996.

Better shut up - reading the above proves that if I was a car manufacturer I'd go bust inside of a month!

adeewuff

567 posts

277 months

Saturday 29th December 2001
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Yeah you've got some good points there. It seems that Jaguar seem to be diluting the core values which made it so great in the first place. Jaguar can never compete in the same way as BMW & Mercedes i.e. Have a car in every single category of vehicle. So why should they try? Since Ford has been improving its range, why should they bother producing a luxury Mondeo and then sticking a Jag badge on it. It isn't a real Jag and the buyers know it.

The X-Type diesel idea is also been withdrawn, thank god, at least for the time being. Apparently, NCAP didn't take to the passengers being filled with diesel engine components in a head on collision.

Oh in response to your question about the F-type engine it's a midmointed, tuned version of the 3.0 currently in the X-Type.

Edited by adeewuff on Friday 4th January 16:45

hoganscrogan

725 posts

291 months

Saturday 29th December 2001
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>>I wonder too whether or not Porsche regret the Boxster, because they seem to be spending an awful lot of money upgrading it<<<

As far as I can remember if it wasn't for the Boxster there would be no independant Porsche as we know it -the Boxster saved the company! Also they are one of the best performing (financially) car companies at the mo' (because of the Bosxter/996 platform). I would think they are spending money upgrading the Boxster/996 because they can afford to now!

BTW I like the sound of Jaguars F type.

McNab

1,627 posts

281 months

Saturday 29th December 2001
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H'scrogan, what you say proves I was right: 'If I was a manufacturer I'd go bust inside of a month!!

hoganscrogan

725 posts

291 months

Saturday 29th December 2001
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He he - not an easy job! (Ask Strathcarron, Daewoo etc etc.)

adeewuff

567 posts

277 months

Sunday 30th December 2001
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Incidently if Ford were to sell Jaguar, as has been rumoured, who do you think would buy it?

PetrolTed

34,443 posts

310 months

Sunday 30th December 2001
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quote:

Incidently if Ford were to sell Jaguar, as has been rumoured, who do you think would buy it?


Hardly likely given the consolidation of Ford's luxury marques that has gone on recently.

eddy_hyde

153 posts

282 months

Wednesday 2nd January 2002
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Not all true, the F-type is still going, aimed at 2005 ish but is in discussion due to manpower & manufacturing issues, as all our plants are running full pelt with no space. It will be an alu bodied mid engined 6 speed, with around 250 bhp standard, and a r version to come with 320bhp, so should make M coupe/roadster and boxter s think a bit. seen rough styling shots recently and it looks good, not as good as the show car, but less retro.

We are not being sold yet well i havent heard anything, ford invested a fortune in us and we are making a profit so volvo, lincon and aston would go first.

The new XJ was having a few noise issues but sorted now, but is not overweight, infact it will be the lightest in the class, and in recent tests we did it was faster and more efficient than the new 7 series, but it is a bit cramped in comparison, but most jags are. The new xk is due 2005 ish, with a refresh next year, and should be a blinder, more performance oriented.

In all its not doom and gloom yet, at least not as bad as the thread makes out. How about a bit of support for one of the last big uk car companies. We may be owned by ford, but all the engines, bodies, and cars are designed and built here.


eddy_hyde

153 posts

282 months

Wednesday 2nd January 2002
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In addition to the points below, the 3.0L in the X-type is a pretty good engine and hooked to a 6 speed box, should be pretty good, as its fairly rev happy, bit short of low down torque, but most v6's are.

The reason Jag are diluting there range is we are trying to compete with mercedes and BMW, why shouldnt we, particularly in the states. Just be glad we arent making a f***ing SUV (Porsche, BMW, Mercedes) how we would have laughed if that had happend 5 years ago!!!!!!