It's no secret that Jaguar is pondering an all-electric F-Type. Given the automaker's plans to embrace electrification, it seems inevitable. According to a report by Autocar, the next F-Type will arrive by 2021, despite the current model being already six years old. Why is it taking so long for a replacement to arrive? Design chief Ian Callum told the publication that "being a specialist car, it will have a longer life than the mainstream models" and that "despite sports cars not being a great growth area, there will be a future for the F-Type".

Potentially, an all-electric Jaguar F-Type could have a design as bold as the iconic E-Type from the 1960s since placing the batteries below the floor would allow for a low center of gravity, while implementing a hybrid aluminum body construction would help reduce the weight added by the battery pack.

Jaguar has already found success in the EV segment with the I-Pace, which is propelled by two 197-hp electric motors powered by a 90-kWh battery pack. By the time the next F-Type launches, the energy density of batteries will have improved and it will likely have more powerful motors. Mounting the motors over both axels would also allow Jaguar to offer rear- and four-wheel drive, with the latter having a torque bias to the back axle.

The next F-Type will certainly be electrified since Jaguar Land Rover has already stated that every new model from 2020 will have some form of electrification, whether it's fully electric, plug-in hybrid or a mild hybrid. However, Autocar claims the next-generation sports car could be offered with more than one powertrain option, but it isn't clear if gasoline and electric options will be offered at the same time.

According to Autocar, Jaguar plans to source its next-generation V8 from BMW to help reduce costs since V8 sales are falling.

In its most potent form, the newly developed 4.4-liter, twin-turbocharged engine is said to produce around 640 hp and nearly 600 lb-ft of torque, which would put the new F-Type on par with the most powerful Porsche 911s. Having multiple powertrain options would help broaden the F-Type's appeal but don't be surprised if it's only offered with an electric powertrain, as Jaguar could become an EV-only brand in the future.

Regardless of the powertrain, the new F-Type will use an all-new aluminum-intensive platform that will make it lighter and more space efficient. It's also expected to retain the current car's two-seat layout, though the platform is also capable of underpinning a 2+2 coupe that could serve as a replacement for the XK.