Jaguar celebrates milestone
Jaguar has launched the F-type Chequered Flag Limited Edition to celebrate 70 years of the brand’s sportscars, available with either a turbocharged four or supercharged six-cylinder engine in either coupe or convertible body styles priced from $139,650 before on-roads.
In fixed-roof, rear-drive form, proceedings kick off with the 221kw/400nm four-pot version, followed by a 250kw/450nm and 280kw/460nm force-fed V6 for $158,050 and $180,450 respectively.
The latter engine tune can also be had with all-wheel drive that ups pricing to $196,250, while drop-top versions of each add a $17,200 premium.
All Chequered Flag Limited Edition grades are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and although performance figures for the new variants are yet to be revealed, the driveline can accelerate the F-type from zero to 100kmh as quickly as 4.9 seconds.
Taking the F-type R-dynamic grade as its base, the Chequered Flag Limited Edition adds Windsor leather interior, dark brushed aluminium centre console and bespoke steering wheel with a red 12 o’clock marker, as well as a black contrasting roof for coupe versions.
From the outside, the Chequered Flag Limited Edition sports the optional Exterior Black Design Pack that adds extended side sills, 20-inch gloss-black wheels and red brake callipers.
Carryover equipment includes 10-speaker sound system, electronic seat adjustment, automatic headlights, lane departure warning and sports exhaust, as well as a 10-inch touchscreen display infotainment system featuring Apple Carplay and Android Auto.
In addition to the Chequered Flag Limited Edition, a model year update for all F-types will also add retuned dampers and revised suspension for increased comfort at low speeds, as well as a reversing camera and front parking sensors as standard.
Jaguar design director Ian Callum – who oversaw the styling of the F-type – said the sportscar embodied the British brand’s design ethos.
“Perfect proportions, design purity and visual drama – every Jaguar must express these qualities, and none more so than the F-type,” he said.
“In creating the Chequered Flag we’ve focused on details that enhance F-type’s presence and promise of performance – and in doing so, made a fitting celebration of 70 years of beautiful, fast, Jaguar sportscars.”
Year to date, Jaguar has sold only 72 examples of its F-type, a 28.7 percent drop over the same nine-month period in 2017.
The F-type trails the over $80,000 sportscar segment leaders including the Mercedes-benz C-class coupe and convertible, 1328, BMW 4 Series coupe and convertible, 557, and Audi A5, 475, but leads the likes of the Infiniti Q60, 65, and Lexus LC, 69.