Although today’s I-Pace is propelled by two 197bhp electric motors fed by a 90kWh battery pack, the energy density of batteries will have improved by the time the F-Type emerges and there will be plenty of scope to offer more powerful motors. Mounting the motors over both axles would allow Jaguar to continue offering rear- and four-wheel drive, the latter with a torque bias to the back axle.
More than one powertrain option is in the running for the new F-Type, with electrification a strong likelihood. However, it’s not yet clear if petrol and electric options will be offered at the same time.
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) plans to source its next-generation V8 petrol engine, codenamed Project Jennifer, from BMW. In its most potent form, the newly developed 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged engine is said to produce around 640bhp and nearly 600lb ft of torque, an upper limit that would make the F-Type competitive with the most powerful Porsche 911s.
Falling global V8 sales are the reason for JLR once again sharing an eight-cylinder unit with BMW (the last time was when the German car maker owned the Rover Group in the 1990s), making this the only business-viable approach.
Regardless of powertrain, the next F-Type will use an all-new aluminium-intensive platform, which is expected to still be assembled in Castle Bromwich and is tipped to make the new car lighter and more space efficient. It is expected to retain the current car’s two-seat layout.
However, the platform is also capable of underpinning a proposed 2+2 coupé (reported by Autocar in April) that, if signed off for production, will arrive after the next-gen F-Type and serve as a long-awaited replacement for the XK, which was taken off sale in 2014.
As well as being more space efficient and lighter, the new platform will need to be able to meet the next generation of crash requirements. Among these is a roll-over test that will involve a car being dropped onto its roof from a point 1.5 times its own height without significantly crushing the passenger cell.
A choice of petrol and electric powertrains would severely constrain the design freedom provided by a pure-electric drivetrain but widen the F-Type’s appeal. The temptation, though, might be to simplify, be bold and go electric, which would fit in with potential future plans for Jaguar to be an EV-only brand.
As reported by Autocar in September, investors at Tata, Jaguar’s parent company, are unhappy with the sales performance of the brand’s existing petrol and diesel models. A radical product overhaul is on the cards, with a strategy said to be outlined by product planners to phase out the traditional line-up and replace it with a range of fully electric models.
An electric F-Type would immediately be compared with 
With EV rivals few and far between, the F-Type will still be pitted against the ever-dominant 911. 
The new F-Type convertible will find itself pitched against the 
Join the debate
Peter Cavellini
Logical..?
Well, yes, why not?, EV seems to be the future the way we’re going, an F-type powered like this would be fine, also, it might depend on the age demographic, will it appeal to younger or older potential buyers?, they could still for the next five years produce an F-type with the BMW V8 for the purists.
Peter Cavellini.
jason_recliner
Let's be Honest
Jaguar can't afford to develop a new V8. Electric motors are cheap.
Roadster
April 1st has come early, surely?
I hope the possible use of a BMW V8 is an early April 1st joke. BMW's V8s are known to be appalling and being one of the worst engines ever made. More so when it comes to reliability or lack of. After all it was BMW's V8s that caused so many problems in Range Rovers, almost destroying that car's reputation, before Land Rover thankfully switched to Jaguar's own, superior V8 under Ford ownership. I'd sooner the next F-Type be all electric than see it undermined by a poor engine.
TStag
Roadster wrote:
I’d rather they use the Jaguar V8 it’s far better. However demand for V8’s is falling through the floor, so the only way Jaguar and others can continue to sell them is by sharing engines. I just wish they’d share a better one.
Symanski
Ford?
Maybe Jaguar needs to tie up with Ford again. They really made good progress on reliability with Ford's help. Tata have improved the sytling. Pair them up again and what could result could be superb. Everything that PAG was supposed to be.
rsmith
.
Not sure what BMW v8 engines you have experienced, but they are a long way forwards vs those used in Jags and Range Rovers. They go beyond 50k miles without leaking oil or blowing blue smoke, and actually produce the power claims stated from the off. Jags and Range Rovers have always had many issues outside of the engines, dreadful body work, poor electrics etc. Some time back I owned a Jag XJR and it was nothing but agro, I then replaced that with an E39 M5 and it was perfect for the 50 or so thousand miles I did in it, and a much much better drive. The wife had an Evoque for a while, that was constant warning lights and crap performance as well.
Symanski
BMW rod bearings on V8.
How about the ones in the M3 / M4 E90 generation that had rod bearing issues? BMW weren't keen to support owners with that design / manufacturing flaw.
Plus throttle body actuators are also an other issues.
Symanski
AVOID BMW engines.
Not reliable enough, not anywhere near it.
If anything, the V8 with supercharger gives Jaguar something unique. Best to stick with that if possible. Otherwise, find something better.
You have a reliable engine, don't give up!
jason_recliner
Symanski wrote:
Didn't you have a problem with a BMW engine a while back?
Rtfazeberdee
Jaguar, don;t be stupid
Use your own tech and go electric. why on earth would you want to use someone elses tech when electric is heading upwards?
Pages
Add your comment