Jaguar Hits The Gas Pedal On U.S. 2016 F-TYPE Lineup To Raise Pressure On The Competition

MAHWAH, N.J., March 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Jaguar North America announced today that for the third year in a row, since the F-TYPE launch in 2013, it is challenging the sports car status quo by strengthening the two-seat sports car's competitive position in the marketplace. The 2016 Jaguar F-TYPE now features an expanded lineup, dramatically increased value position and a new 5-year/60,000 mile warranty and complimentary scheduled maintenance package that leads the luxury sports car market.

Since the launch of Convertible in 2013 and addition of Coupe in 2014, Jaguar has sold 7,085 F-TYPE vehicles in the United States, with sales increasing 83 percent in 2014.

The 2016 F-TYPE will arrive in dealerships starting in April. The lineup will offer added technology such as All-Wheel Drive, more model choices including a manual transmission, enhanced standard equipment and the best warranty and longest complimentary scheduled maintenance package of any luxury sports car in the market at 5 years and 60,000 miles of coverage.

"The Jaguar F-TYPE in three short years has become the heart and soul of the modern Jaguar brand," said Rob Filipovic, Head of Product Planning, Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC. "For the new 2016 Model Year, we will further accelerate the growth of the Jaguar F-TYPE with new performance choices, more standard equipment and the introduction of increased warranty and complimentary scheduled maintenance coverage. The roar of the Jaguar F-TYPE just got louder, and a desirable sports car, even more attainable."

2016 JAGUAR F-TYPE COVERAGE

• 5-Year/60,000 Mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty (best in Luxury Sports Car Class**)
• 5-Year/60,000 Mile Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance (longest in Luxury Sports Car Class)
• 5-Year/60,000 Mile 24/7 Roadside Assistance
• 5-Year/Unlimited Mile Jaguar InControl® Connected Car

* For complete details on coverage for the 2016 Jaguar F-TYPE, including warranty and maintenance coverage and exclusions, please visit your Jaguar Retailer or review the vehicle's Passport to Service.

**Class is sports cars by Luxury Automobile manufacturers

2016 JAGUAR F-TYPE EQUIPMENT

The 2016 Jaguar F-TYPE features an increased level of standard equipment, providing the features customers desire in a premium sports car and increasing its competitive advantage over similar sports cars. Now standard is the top-spec 770W Meridian™ Surround Sound System, SiriusXM® Satellite Radio & HD Radio™, Jaguar Smart Key keyless entry - making the most of the unique deployable door handles of the F-TYPE - and 14-way fully power-adjustable seats.  Coupe models also receive the panoramic glass roof as standard, adding a tremendous amount of light to the cabin. On S models, standard equipment now includes Configurable Dynamic Mode², a flat-bottomed racing-style steering wheel and the driver-selectable Switchable Active Exhaust³. R Coupe models receive a power tailgate and all AWD models get an exclusive aero package as standard.

The enhancements broaden the F-TYPE range, from a supercharged V6 driving the rear wheels through a manual gearbox, to the 550hp F-TYPE R Coupe and Convertible with the supercharged V8 with standard AWD and eight-speed QuickShift automatic transmission.

While the eight-speed QuickShift automatic transmission, featured on the F-TYPE, offers an excellent blend of shift speed, comfort and refinement, there will always be a select group of enthusiasts who want the satisfaction which comes from changing gears manually. To meet that demand a six-speed ZF® manual transmission is now exclusively available for V6 rear-wheel drive (RWD) configurations. The car features a short-throw gear lever with a travel of only 1.77 inches (45mm), closely-spaced ratios, well placed pedals for heel-and-toe changes and a redesigned center console to make room for spirited shifting.

The F-TYPE becomes the first Jaguar sports car to use Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS). Years of development ensure that the technology is now mature enough to deliver the expected response and feel for a sports car. This electric system provides power assistance only when needed, reducing fuel consumption.

Those seeking the ultimate in top down performance will now find it in the new F-TYPE R Convertible, with standard AWD and 550hp, which replaces the RWD-only 495hp F-TYPE V8 S. A 5.0-liter V8 combines direct injection and a twin-vortex supercharger to provide immediate response to the driver. With the top down on an open road, this engine's unmistakable soundtrack is exhilarating.

Developing 550hp and 502lb-ft of torque, the all-alloy quad-cam engine in the R Coupe and Convertible is matched exclusively to the eight-speed QuickShift automatic transmission and All-Wheel Drive. The extra traction of AWD enables the R Convertible to now accelerate from 0-60 mph in only 3.9 seconds - matching the R Coupe - up to an electronically-limited top speed of 186 mph⁴.

2016 JAGUAR F-TYPE INTERIOR & INCONTROL

Enhancements to the 2016 Model Year Jaguar F-TYPE are not limited to the chassis and driveline technology. The instrument cluster features new dials and gauges and the infotainment system has been upgraded.  The 2016 F-TYPE now features InControl Protect™, InControl Remote^TM and InControl Apps™⁵ connectivity and telematics functions as standard equipment. Each system allows drivers to utilize their smartphone as a control center for specific automotive features.

InControl Apps™ allows Apple^® and Android™ users to seamlessly access and control compatible third party apps stored on their device through the vehicle's 8-inch touch-screen.

Offered for the first time in Jaguar vehicles, InControl Protect can summon Jaguar Roadside Assistance with the simple push of a button or can automatically call emergency services and notify them of the vehicle's location. InControl Remote, also making its debut in Jaguar vehicles, offers a smartphone app which gives remote control over certain vehicle features such as remote start, lock, climate control, windows and a beep and flash feature which can help drivers locate their car. InControl Remote and InControl Protect are subscription-based services, which are complimentary during the 5-year new vehicle warranty period on the 2016 Model Year Jaguar F-TYPE.

THE 2016 JAGUAR F-TYPE ADVANTAGE

When compared to other current luxury sports cars, the Jaguar F-TYPE has an advantage over many top selling competitors with cost of entry, standard performance equipment, horsepower and warranty and complimentary maintenance coverage.

Following are examples of 2016 Jaguar F-TYPE competitive advantages:

• Base model F-TYPE Coupe is equipped with manual or automatic transmission, panoramic roof, 770W Meridian™ Surround Sound System, has 65 more horsepower and is $4,410 less, than the base, equally-optioned Porsche Cayman.

• Jaguar F-TYPE Coupe, S Coupe and R Convertible have 65, 30 and 150 more horsepower respectively, than the Porsche Cayman, Porsche 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera S Convertible. All three similarly equipped F-TYPE derivatives are priced lower at $4,410, $23,745, and $19,165 less, respectively.

• A panoramic roof is now standard on Jaguar F-TYPE Coupe models, but an optional glass roof is a $1,990 option on the more expensive Porsche 911 Carrera.

• Porsche 911 Carrera sport suspension and adaptive dynamics control are $5,000 optional features, but standard on F-TYPE S and R models.

• The F-TYPE S Coupe is equipped with far more standard features than a Porsche 911 Carrera. The Porsche needs to add $18,245 worth of equipment making the price differential between equally equipped vehicles $23,745.

JAGUAR RANKS NUMBER ONE IN J.D. POWER CSI STUDY^SM

The Jaguar brand has been recognized by J.D. Power as the highest achieving luxury automotive brand in the United States for customer satisfaction with retailer service. With this achievement, Jaguar has scored its third leadership ranking in recent J. D. Power customer studies: 2015 Customer Service Index (#1 among luxury brands); 2014 Initial Quality Survey (#2 among all industry brands); 2014 Sales Satisfaction Index (#3 among luxury brands).

¹ All prices shown are Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. Excludes $995 destination/handling charge, tax, title, license, and retailer fees, all due at signing, and optional equipment. Retailer price, terms and vehicle availability may vary. See your local authorized Jaguar Retailer for details.
² These features are not a substitute for driving safely with due care and attention and will not function under all circumstances, speeds, weather and road conditions, etc.  Driver should not assume that these features will correct errors of judgment in driving.  Please consult the owner's manual or your local authorized Jaguar Retailer for more details.
³ Excludes base F-TYPE Coupe and Convertible models with automatic transmission
⁴ Always follow local speed limits.
⁵   Do not use Jaguar InControl® features under conditions that will affect your safety or the safety of others. Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle control.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150320/183579-INFO

SOURCE Jaguar North America