08 Xkr Convertible Portfolio Nav S/c Bowers & Wilkins 20s Alcon Brakes 27k Miles on 2040-cars

Auto blog

2016 Jaguar F-Type prowls the floor with new manual and AWD options

The Jaguar F-Type has become an instant enthusiast favorite for its alluring design, powerful, sonorous engines and rewarding handling. In short, it's a worthy successor to the iconic mid-century E-Type. But Jaguar hasn't been sitting idly, and it's continuing to refine and enhance the F-Type with subtle yet significant enhancements, including a bunch that are debuting this week at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The 2016 model year brings with it all-wheel drive, which will be standard on 550-horsepower F-Type R models. AWD will be optional on mid-level F-Type S models, which run the 380-hp V6. The system sends all of the supercharged engine's torque to the rear axle in default mode, but it can also be split with up to 50 percent going to the front axle when needed. Jaguar has even added subtle visual differentiators to the the AWD models, fitting them with body-colored sills and a new hood design. The penalty? the AWD system adds about 176 pounds to the curb weight. The F-Type also gets an available six-speed manual transmission for 2016 on V6 variants with rear-wheel drive. While obviously adding a more interactive driving character, the close-ratio manual is about 22 pounds lighter than the automatic gearbox. Jaguar has also given all F-Type models electric power steering, using a stiffer steering shaft to maintain the hydraulic setup's connected feel with the road. The 2016 models will be available in the spring, and pricing will be announced closer to launch. 2016 F-TYPE Gains All Wheel Drive and Manual Transmission Options – The 2016 model year Jaguar F-TYPE sports car receives new powertrain and driveline options – A six-speed manual transmission option will be available in rear-wheel drive V6 models – Instinctive All Wheel Drive® (AWD) extends the performance and dynamic capability of the F-TYPE – The 550hp F-TYPE R is now available in both Coupe or Convertible – All F-Type R models receive AWD as standard equipment, enabling 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds.

Jaguar design chief Ian Callum rules out station wagons

If you liked the idea of a Jaguar wagon and were secretly hoping that the British automaker might bring one over, we have some unfortunate news for you. Not only will the company not bring any wagons to the North American market, but according to design chief Ian Callum, it won't be making any at all. "The [wagon] market is massively shrinking. I'm very sad about it but it's a very difficult market to justify," Callum told Automotive News Europe. German automakers Audi, BMW, and Mercedes can make wagons work because their home market is the largest for wagons in the world and any wagons they sell elsewhere are just chocolate icing on the Black Forest cake. For its part, Jaguar has produced two wagon models in the X-Type and the previous XF Sportbrake. That's a shame in Jaguar's case, because the XFR-S Sportbrake was a heck of a ride that left us wondering why anyone would want something taller. Those of like mind, we suppose, will just have to content themselves instead with German wagons like the Audi A6 Allroad, BMW 3 Series, Mercedes E-Class, and Volkswagen Golf SportWagen – and hope that Volvo doesn't get squeezed out of the wagon market as well. Related Video:

2017 Jaguar F-Type SVR is the quickest kitty in Geneva

"Always follow your local speed limits," says a disclaimer at the bottom of Jaguar's press materials for its new F-Type SVR. Granted, every single new car you can buy in America is capable of accelerating well past the highest official speed limit in the United States. This new Jaguar, though, is another matter entirely, boasting as it does a top speed of 200 miles per hour. Not since the famed XJ220 has Jaguar offered such a compelling speedster. Whereas that slinky coupe relied on a 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 engine and a five-speed manual transmission, the 2017 F-Type SVR benefits from a supercharged, 5.0-liter V8 pushing out 575 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic. Also unlike the supercar of old, the SVR's all-wheel-drive system means it can potentially serve as an all-weather sportscar. My, how times have changed. Looking past its headline-grabbing 200-mph capabilities, the F-Type SVR can accelerate from 0-60 in a scant 3.5 seconds in coupe form. Buyers who prefer the wind in their hair get slightly lower performance peaks, with a 186-mph top speed and a 3.9-second run to 60. Either way, this Jag will make its owner look good, with aggressive hood vents, massive air intakes in the fascia and a carbon-fiber spoiler that automatically raises and lowers from the car's rear haunches. Considering that the F-Type V8 is already one of the best sounding cars for sale in America, we have no doubt that the SVR, with its brand-new inconel titanium exhaust system, will emit a sound second only to God's own chariot. Pricing starts at $126,945 for the coupe or $129,795 for the convertible. If we have one complaint, it's that British Racing Green is not one of the seven available colors. For shame, Jaguar. Make ours Ultra Blue and we'll forgive you, just this once. View 16 Photos Related Video: