The Jaguar F-Type is, arguably, one of the best-looking sports cars on the market today and one could even go so far as to say it’s one of the best lookers of the decade. While this might be true, it has also been on the market since 2013, and we all know that it’s due to be replaced in 2020. We’ve finally seen the first prototype of the 2021 Jaguar F-Type being tested, and we have to admit that there’s going to be some serious changes taking place. Expect a similar silhouette with an all-new face and rear end. There’s also a certain rumor about the V-8 engine that you don’t want to miss out on, so be sure to check out our drivetrain section to learn more about that.

Update 12/2/2019: Fresh on the heals of its debut, the Jaguar F-Type Coupe has been leaked on social media. We’ve updated this speculative review with those leaked images and what we know about it so far. Check it out in our special “updates” section below.

2021 Jaguar F-Type Coupe(updated)

Specifications
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  • Model: 2021 Jaguar F-Type Coupe(updated)
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Pros
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Updates

12/2/2019 – 2021 Jaguar F-Type Facelift Leaks Online

These leaked images don’t cover a lot of ground, but they do show us that the facelifted F-type isn’t going to change much. It’s going to be more of a logical evolution with the front end being treated to revised, sleeker lights that kind of look like they have some Audi R8 DNA and the air intakes will be more rounded. The side profile won’t change much at all, so the muscular rear haunches will remain as will the taillights albeit with subtle tweaks.

The big news will be in the drivetrain and performance area where there’s a slim possibility that the 2021 F-type could borrow the BMW V-8 thanks to the agreement between Jaguar and BMW. It doesn’t seem likely that it will happen until the next-generation comes to life in a few years, though. With that in mind, it’s more likely that the 2021 F-Type will be offered, in at least one form, with the JLR’s new V-6 hybrid system from Range Rover. That could mean that the supercharged V-6 could be dropped from the F-Type lineup, but we’re hoping that isn’t the case.

The 2021 Jaguar F-Type makes its debut on December 2nd at 8pm U.K. time and will have something to do with Hot Wheels, however, we’re not sure what. Stay tuned for updates.

Jaguar Launches a Hot Wheels Themed Teaser for the 2021 Jaguar F-Type

This teaser didn’t show us anything about the 2021 Jaguar F-Type really, but it did hint that we’ll probably see some cool, jaguar-styled stunt at its debut.

Exterior

- Revised headlights - lower-slung in the front - Revised aerodynamics - More aggressive rear quarters - Wider rear track - beltline carries over

This prototype isn’t exactly production ready quite yet – as you can see from the front end, the design of the front fascia is far from complete. Right now, Audi appears to be channeling air through tubes that will eventually be replaced by the corner air intakes. This is likely where this engine intake is getting all of its air from, so expect the padding in this area to change as Jaguar fine tunes not only the engine (this is likely the V-8 model) by the aerodynamics around those intakes. Compared to the current model, the nose is going to get a significant makeover. The radiator grille will take on a slightly smaller shape while the air dam will remain largely the same. Expect to see larger, single-piece corner intakes. Overall, the front end of the new F-type will be much more modern and much sportier than that of the current F-Type.

Those may even, honestly, be the same side skirts found on the current model. It’s hard to see, but it looks like the classic F-Type vent on the fender ahead of the doors is going to carry over to this generation as well. There’s still a lot different here to note. From this view, you can see how bulkier the current F-Type is up front compared to the prototype here. It also looks like the rear quarters will be much more muscular and larger than before. This will add an emphasis to the car’s appearance, but it also indicates that the next-gen F-Type will feature a wider rear track which, as you may or may not know, indicates better handling and stability in corners.

The rear end has been covered rather well with camo, but as you can see, there’s an active spoiler back here, and the rear diffuser will be more aggressive with a new fin in the middle. You can’t make them out well, but if you look closely, you can notice that the upper, outer corner is now smoother, and the lights will be slimmer overall. Don’t expect to see any other major changes back here.

Interior

- Mild updates in design - Updated infotainment system - Sportier, more supportive seats - Better driving position

At this point, we haven’t had the chance to get a good look at the next-gen F-Type’s interior, however, you can only expect it to get better than the current model. I’d expect an updated infotainment system, revised steering wheel, and a more modernized dashboard. Whether or not the weird handle on the passenger side of the center console will remain is a mystery, but we expect Jaguar to have some iteration of it as well to help reinforce the fact that this is a driver’s car through and through. Also, don’t be surprised if the next-gen F-type ends up with a digital instrument cluster and, maybe, a digital HVAC control system as well.

Drivetrain

- Mild power increase for I4 and V6 - Could borrow BMW’s V-8 - SVR could break 600 horsepower

The current Jaguar F-Type can be had with a 2.0-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder that’s good for 296 horsepower, a 3.0-liter, supercharged V-6 that’s good for 340 or 380 horsepower depending on the trim level, or a 5.0-liter, supercharged V-8 that’s good for 550 horsepower in the R Coupe trim or 575 horsepower in the SVR coupe. To be clear, it doesn’t get its ass whopped, but it does get beat out by most of its competition. So it goes without saying that Jaguar is going to change things up a bit and, to what extent it will change things up might surprise you.

First off, we expect the next-gen F-Type to be lighter than the current model, maybe even by 500 pounds or more. On top of that, we expect the four- and six-cylinder engine to be massaged to offer up a little more power. The four-cylinder could be bumped up just beyond the 300-pony mark while both tunes of the 3.0-liter V-6 will each be retuned to deliver marginally more power as well. Pair this little bit of extra power with a lighter car and the F-Type may find the edge it needs. The R Coupe and SVR F-Type, however, have something even more important in store for us.

You probably know that BMW and Jaguar are teaming up to share electric technology, but word has it that the Jaguar F-Type will be equipped with BMW’s 4.4-liter, twin-turbo, V-8. This is huge for a number of reasons. First off, this means that the R Coupe and SVR coupe will move from supercharging to turbocharging – something that will change the car’s driving dynamics altogether. Secondly, the 4.4-liter V-8 can be tuned to deliver much more power than the F-Type’s current supercharged V-8. In the M850i, for example, it delivers just 523 horsepower, but the M8 Competition pumps out as much as 617 horsepower. So, logic would then dictate that the next-gen R Coupe could benefit from somewhere in the neighborhood of 575 horsepower while the SVR could approach the 600-pony mark if not a hair more.

The R coupe should also see the sprint to 60 mph take some 3.7 seconds with its top speed remaining consistent at 186 mph as well. Expect the 2.0-liter and 3.0-liter models to each shave a tenth or two off their sprint times as well. In addition to this, expect the F-Type to feature revised suspension and more advanced safety technology as well.



Pricing

The current, 2020 Jaguar F-Pace coupe is priced from $61,600 in base form and climbs to as high as $123,600 in range-topping form. This is, of course, before options, taxes, and delivery fees among other things. Now, the next-gen model will undoubtedly come with a price increase, but we don’t expect pricing to rise that much. Expect the 2021 F-Type Coupe to start around $63,000 and climb to as much as $125,500 in SVR form.

2020 Jaguar F-Type Pricing

Base Coupe

$61,600

Checkered Flag Coupe

$71,900

R-Dynamic Coupe

$84,300

R Coupe

$101,800

SVR Coupe

$123,600


Competition

Porsche 911

The Porsche 911 was just updated for the 2020 model year, ushing in a new generation and fresh technology. Under the hood, you’ll find a 3.0-liter, turbocharged, boxer-six that’s good for as much as 443 horsepower and up to 390 pound-feet of torque. Of course, the 911 Turbo will offer more to compete with the R and SVR F-Type, but it has yet to debut as of the time of this writing. For now, we need to focus on the regular 911, which can hit 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and may even, eventually be offered as a hybrid. A manual transmission hasn’t been introduced yet, but it’s on the way, and you can even select AWD if you’re willing to pay a little for it. Top speed for the 911, when properly equipped, is 190 mph excluding, of course, the Turbo model. That model should have around 570 horsepower while the Turbo S should pump out around 610 ponies. They will also be much quicker to 60 mph, hitting the sprint in less than 3 seconds. Pricing for the Porsche 911 starts out at $97,400 and increases to as much as 120,600 for the Carrera 4S. Expect the turbo model to command even more at launch.

Read our full review on the 2020 Porsche 911}

Aston Martin Vantage

The Aston Martin Vantage is another one of the F-Type’s biggest competitors, and it gets its power from a 4.0-liter V-8 that produces an amazing soundtrack to remind you of its 503 horsepower and 5050 pound-feet of torque. Like the F-Type, the Vantage has that sexy coupe silhouette (it doesn’t look like a 911 at all) and features classic Aston Martin design cues. You can spot its long hood from a mile away, and you’d be pressed no to mistake it for something that belongs on the track. The 60-mph sprint comes in about 3.5 seconds with top speed hovering around 195 mph. Pricing starts out at $149,995, so you’re going to pay considerably more to get in the Vantage, even compared to the range-topping F-Type SVR.

Read our in-depth review of the 2018 Aston Martin Vantage}

Final Thoughts

I have to admit that I’m really looking forward to seeing the next-gen Jaguar F-Type. The current model is good an all, but it feels like it should trump the competition and it really doesn’t. Furthermore, I was never a big fan of those long, bulky headlights that are clearly destined for replacement with this generation. I’m also hoping that the rumor about BMW’s turbo V-8 is true as that engine isn’t only potent but could push the F-Type into a very dominant position in its segment.

Further Reading

Read up more about the 2018 Jaguar F-Type

Read our full review on the 2018 Jaguar F-Type SVR.