We knew the Jaguar F-Type Roadster would be a spectacular car the moment we saw it. We also knew things were about to get better as soon as rumors about about a coupe->ke141 version surfaced.

It didn't take too long for the F-Type Coupe to join the ranks of Jaguar->ke39, but, as the new model was settling in, the British were already working on a more powerful version, the F-Type R Coupe, as well as pondering a lightweight, Club Sport model.

If you thought Jaguar was paying too much attention to the Coupe while ignoring the Roadster, you had it all wrong. The Brits are indeed prepping a hotter version of the drop-top F-Type->ke1224 that could be offered with an R-S badge slapped to its sexy rear end.

That's word from our trusty spy photographers, who have spotted a never-before-seen F-Type Roadster on steroids stretching its legs somewhere in the United Kingdom. Details are limited at the time of this writing, but the beefy front bumper and the larger rear spoiler are there to tell us that this ain't no regular F-Type.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Jaguar F-Type R-S.

2015 Jaguar F-Type Roadster R-S

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Jaguar F-Type Roadster R-S
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 550
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Spy Shots

April 16, 2014 - First testing session

Although the aggressive front bumper and the rear wing remind us of the stunning Jaguar Project 7, it's not likely that the company is developing a special edition model that puts the said concept into production. And the taller windshield and the existing soft top are proof enough.

That being said, the most probable scenario points toward an R-S version that hides an even more powerful supercharged V-8 engine under the hood. And by that we mean something close to 550 horsepower (the current V8 S is rated at 495 horsepower). The sports car->ke506 also appears to be fitted with carbon-ceramic brakes, which can only add more sense to our assumption.

Competitors

Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet

With nearly 550 horsepower on tap, the F-Type Roadster R-S should fit right between the 911 Turbo and the Turbo S as far as output is concerned. However, the Jag will be no match to the Turbo S' lightning-fast 0-to-60-mph acceleration time, which sits at exactly three seconds. Moreover, we have reason to doubt the R-S will be able to do the same sprint quicker than the Turbo Cabriolet, which achieves it in 3.3 seconds.

But Porsche->ke1's superior performance is not cheap by any means, with the 911 Turbo starting from $163,000 and the 911 Turbo S retailing from $194,600. With the F-Type V8 S roadster priced from $92,000, we're not expecting the R-S version to fetch more than $115,000, making it a bargain compared to the German sports car.

Overall, the vehicles would probably be on par as far as interior amenities go, but the F-Type's cabin is a bit too cramped for a Jaguar.

Audi R8 Spyder

The aging Audi R8->ke1440 won't get a redesign until the 2016 model year, thus making it likely for the Spider to go against the F-Type Roadster R-S in its final year on the market. We're obviously talking about the V-10 model, which has 525 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque at its disposal, nearly 100 horsepower more than the V-8 version.

The 5.2-liter V-10 mill with aluminum alloy block and cylinder head enables the sports car to sprint from 0 to 60 miles per hour in four seconds, about half a second slower than F-Type Roadster R-S' estimated 3.5 to 3.6 seconds. On the track, the R8 Spyder is able to reach a top speed of 194 miles per hour.

Moving over to pricing, the R8 Spyder is cheaper than the Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet, but its sticker still blows past the $150,000 for the V-10 model, which starts from $164,700.

Jaguar F-Type

Designed by Ian Callum, the F-Type is a two-door sports car that can be had either as a coupe or a roadster. The engine choices are currently available in the U.S., starting with an entry-level, supercharged, 3.0-liter V-6 unit that delivers 340 horsepower. The V6 S model benefits from the same unit, but it has 380 horsepower at its disposal, while the range-topping model comes with a supercharged, 5.0-liter V-8 under the hood. The latter sends 495 horsepower to the rear wheels.

2013 Jaguar Project 7