Jaguar F-Type confirmed

Jaguar used the New York Motor Show to confirm the production of its new small sports car, the F-Type. Bringing back the naming convention made famous by the E-Type, the all-new sports car will be launched as a convertible and will go on sale midway through the 2013. We can confirm it will be coming to Australia next year. Though only camouflaged vehicles have been revealed, Jaguar will show the production F-Type later in 2012, most likely at the Paris motor show in October. The F-Type is the production version of the C-X16 concept which broke cover in 2012, and will become the fourth full model line after Jaguar XF, XJ and XK models. "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," said Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director for  Jaguar Cars. "The core appeal of Jaguar's cars is their sporting heart, and that heart will beat stronger than ever before in the F-Type. Its development is a vivid representation of the confidence and ambition of the Jaguar brand, and the desire amongst our engineers and design team to produce a world-leader in a market segment that we have been absent from for too long. But no longer -- the F-Type is coming," he said. Jaguar's new F-Type will use an all-aluminium construction to keep weight down and will be "a strict two-seater with the focus uncompromisingly on delivering driver reward" according to Jaguar. Though powertrain details have not be revealed, the company says several petrol engines will be offered, "including a new powerplant family". Will we see Jaguar's first hybrid engine in 2013? So advanced is the development of the F-Type that final on-road testing is already underway. Jaguar's Vehicle Line Director, Ian Hoban, explained: "The engineering development of the F-Type has focused on delivering a heightened level of dynamic driving reward. We are excited about our progress to date and are looking forward to soon being able to demonstrate what we have achieved." The design was penned by Ian Callum, Jaguar's Director of Design, who said it was "privilege" to be able to create such vehicles, which were "pure" in both form and purpose. "The C-Type, D-Type and E-Type Jaguars were all sports cars that held true to this principle in their era, and the F-Type will hold true to that same principle in its time, a time that is soon to arrive," he said. Jaguar Cars Australia spokesman Kevin Goult told motoring.com.au his company was expecting to shake-up the local sports car market with the F-Type. Jaguar "has had people waiting for this car" since the brand announced it would produce a new sports car last year. "Momentum will build further... It [the F-Type] will reinvigorate the sports car segment in Australia," said Goult. Exact specifications will be released later this year. No technical details are available at this stage, but for an idea as to what the F-Type will be powered by, watch the video and have a listen to the engine...