Jaguar F-Type : Technological insights

You’re no big cat in the jungle if you can’t run after panting prey with assured pace and determination. A very similar sort of performance-focused build-quality gives the new F-Type that extra edge when it is on the move. There’s a decade of Jaguar’s aluminum expertise that has gone into keeping the kerb weight on the roadster at a bare minimum. 141 aluminum pressings, 180 high-pressure die castings, 24 extrusions, and some 2,500 rivets in all to create the phenomenal lightweight chassis that makes up the skeleton of the overly athletic F-Type (Read : Jaguar F-Type feature).

The weight optimization however doesn’t end with the aluminium. Jaguar has managed to chop off the extra kilograms in key areas of the vehicle’s already compact proportions, including the front bumper beam, the windscreen, the Z-fold hood system, and the Roll protection system in its efforts towards achieving an extraordinary 50:50 weight distribution for the F-Type. Moving the battery and the windshield-washer fluid reservoir to the back also helped.

Aided by Bosch’s latest engine management system the supercharged 3.0litre and 5.0litre petrol engines on the F-Type have been tuned to deliver maximum torque across all engine speeds. To direct all that power in the right direction a variable ratio hydraulic steering coupled with a seat position that offers great outward vision are central to the F-Type’s easy drivability, especially at higher speeds. The quick shifting 8-speed manual gearbox and the option of paddles behind the steering offers added flexibility to the driver. 

Accessed via the touch screen display on the centre console, the configurable dynamics on the S versions can additionally stiffen up the double wishbone suspension, regulate throttle response, harden the steering wheel, hurry up gear changes and even play around with the crescendo of its exhaust note. 

While being quick on its feet, the F-Type gets a 5 per cent boost in economy owing to the Stop-start engine functionality introduced by Jaguar. The front-engine rear-wheel drive vehicle achieves maximum traction through an electronically controlled limited-slip differential on the V8 S model, while the lower spec V6 S gets a mechanical one. Being assembled on the fastest and most advanced Jaguar sports car line in England, the F-Type is indeed a wonderful creation.