Jaguar’s new F-Type luxury roadster has been rewarded for being the exquisite piece of kit it so clearly is. The World Car of the Year jury awarded the F-Type with the 2013 World Car Design of the Year title.
Designed by Jaguar head designer, Ian Callum, the award was presented to Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director for Jaguar, at the recent New York Auto Show. Given today’s stringent safety regulations and mass-made production methods, the limitations on designers is clear, however, the F-Type is clearly a worthy winner of the design prize.
The F-Type was chosen by 66 World Car of the Year jury members from 43 competitors. As regards the overall design, the jury was impressed by the car’s long wheelbase, short overhangs and flared fenders, but let’s be honest, one can’t explain design purity in such simple terms. The F-Type just looks exquisite.
Ian Callum had this to say about the Jaguar F-Type, “No design project has given me greater pleasure. It’s a project I’ve looked forward to from the moment I joined Jaguar and it’s one that’s given my team and I great satisfaction. The F-Type is a sports car that is true to Jaguar’s design values – beauty of line and purity of form – and I’m honoured that the World Car of the Year jury has recognised our work with this award.”
As a quick reminder of what the Jaguar F-Type has in store for us, three models will be available from launch, each with a different engine. All models are fitted with engine stop/start and an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The F-Type and F-Type S are both powered by a new 3.0-litre supercharged V6 engine, which can hustle the car from 0 – 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds and 4.9 seconds respectively. The range-topping F-Type V8 S is way ahead in its athleticism, with a 4.3 second 0 – 100 km/h sprint and a top speed of 300 km/h.
Jaguar claims it has already received more than 500 pre-orders in the U.K. for the F-Type. In its native land, the F-Type price starts at £58 500 (R820 000) for the 3.0 V6 model. The V6 S costs £67 500 (R945 000) and the 5.0 V8 costs £79 950 (R1 200 000). Jaguar/Land Rover South Africa says the F-Type could be available locally as soon as June. No official pricing has been determined.
