As expected, Jaguar has finally announced that an all-new sports car based on the C-X16 concept that debuted at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show will enter production. At the New York Auto Show, the company revealed that the new entry-level sports car will carry the 'F-TYPE' moniker and launch as a two-seat roadster. Apart from confirming "a range of engines will be available, including a new powerplant family," Jaguar failed to confirm any other details.
Speaking at the New York auto show Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director, Jaguar Cars, said: "We showed the C-X16 concept in September 2011, and the reaction to it has been so positive that we've accelerated our development of an all-new Jaguar sports car. That car will be called the Jaguar F-TYPE, and it will be unveiled in production form later this year." For reference, the C-X16 concept study featured an innovative supercharged 3.0-liter V6 producing 380hp and 332lb-ft of torque. It also had a steering wheel-mounted 'Push to Pass' button that increases output by 92hp and 173lb-ft when pressed.
This boost comes via an electric motor powered by a 1.6kWh battery pack which is integrated into the eight-speed gearbox.
The Jaguar F-TYPE has now moved into the final road testing phase, with engineering prototypes placed into service at Jaguar's Castle Bromwich plant in the British Midlands where the production car will get built. Check out the video presented by former F1 driver Martin Brundle who went down there for a quick ride. Jaguar will announce the F-TYPE's technical specs and range details later this year, probably at September's Paris Motor Show, and the car will go on sale in mid-2013.