Jaguar Announces Changes for the 2016 F-Type Lineup

2016 F-Type R AWD Convertible (Credit: © Jaguar)

We’ve all been eagerly awaiting the LA Auto show in anticipation of Jaguar announcing the full 2016 F-Type, which is set to jump from six to 12 offerings. One of the versions is the all-wheel-drive version of the F-Type Coupe R that we already learned about, but the other new iterations were open to speculation, until today. Jag has now revealed all of the details on the 2016 F-Type lineup, and while I love some of the additions, I was hoping for a little more excitement.

I’ll start off with the most impactful of the changes, and that is the new all-wheel-drive system. This system, which will come standard on all R models and optional on automatic-equipped S models, has a rear-wheel bias, so you can still enjoy the tail-happy feeling of the F-Type with less of a risk of spinning out in slippery conditions and better launching. In the F-Type R, the AWD system drops the 0-to-60-mph sprint to just 3.9 seconds, but the S models remain unchanged at 4.8 seconds. You will also notice that the hood is restyled on AWD models, with the vents further apart and pushed further forward when compared to non-AWD models. You’ll also see that the side sills are slightly modified and the addition of body-colored exhaust surrounds.

2016 Jaguar F-Type R AWD Coupe (Credit: © Jaguar)

Another piece of big news is the movement of the R label to the convertible F-Type and the elimination of the V8 S Convertible. This gives the drop-top model the same 550-horsepower, supercharged V-8 that the F-Type R Coupe benefits from. Like the F-Type R Coupe, the R Convertible features standard AWD.

An addition that will have most traditionalists giving Jaguar a standing ovation is the new manual transmission in the V-6-powered, rear-driven F-Types. This means that buyers can equip either the base F-Type or F-Type S with this six-speed, short-throw, close-ratio, ZF-built gearbox and row their own gears until they’re blue in the face. This transmission also comes with ECU upgrades that rev matches on upshifts, making cog swaps nice and smooth.

To summarize, the 12 versions of the 2016 F-Type lineup include:

• F-Type Coupe Auto
• F-Type Convertible Auto
• F-Type Coupe Manual (new)
• F-Type Convertible Manual (new)
• F-Type S Coupe Auto
• F-Type S Convertible Auto
• F-Type S Coupe Manual (new)
• F-Type S Convertible Manual (new)
• F-Type S AWD Coupe Auto (new)
• F-Type S AWD Convertible Auto (new)
• F-Type R AWD Coupe (new)
• F-Type R AWD Convertible  (new)

Some other general maintenance upgrades for the 2016 model year include a new InControl suite that includes automated emergency calling, advanced smartphone connectivity, remote starting and remote climate control operation; standard electric power-assisted steering; a new captive touchscreen with an easier-to-use interface; and a standard, 770-watt Meridian sound system.

The 2016 F-Type will hit dealers in the spring of 2015, and Jag will release pricing in the future.