Automotive

Jaguar follows the E-Type with the F-type - 50 years later

Jaguar follows the E-Type with the F-type - 50 years later
The Jaguar F-type
The Jaguar F-type
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The Jaguar F-type
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The Jaguar F-type
The E-Type was a symbol of the Swinging Sixties.
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The E-Type was a symbol of the Swinging Sixties.
The visually-disguised F-Type undergoing testing
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The visually-disguised F-Type undergoing testing
A cavalcade of (some of) the most beautiful Jaguar sports cars
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A cavalcade of (some of) the most beautiful Jaguar sports cars
The Jaguar F-type
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The Jaguar F-type
The Jaguar F-type
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The Jaguar F-type
The Jaguar F-type
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The Jaguar F-type
The Jaguar F-type
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The Jaguar F-type
The Jaguar F-type
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The Jaguar F-type
The Jaguar F-type
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The Jaguar F-type
The Jaguar F-type
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The Jaguar F-type
The Jaguar E-Type celebrated its 50th anniversary last year
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The Jaguar E-Type celebrated its 50th anniversary last year
The E-Type celebrated its 50th anniversary last year
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The E-Type celebrated its 50th anniversary last year
The Jaguar XJ220
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The Jaguar XJ220
The Jaguar E-Type
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The Jaguar E-Type
A period shot of the XK120 Jaguar
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A period shot of the XK120 Jaguar
http://www.gizmag.com/the-missing-link-prototype-jaguar-e2a-goes-up-for-sale/9353/
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http://www.gizmag.com/the-missing-link-prototype-jaguar-e2a-goes-up-for-sale/9353/
The Jaguar E-Type
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The Jaguar E-Type
The Jaguar XJ220
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The Jaguar XJ220
Jaguar's long history of sports cars appears set to enter a new era of production cars under the ownership of Tata.
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Jaguar's long history of sports cars appears set to enter a new era of production cars under the ownership of Tata.
In 1957, the Jaguar D-Type finished 1-2-3-4-6 at the Le Mans 24 Hour race
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In 1957, the Jaguar D-Type finished 1-2-3-4-6 at the Le Mans 24 Hour race
The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
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The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
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The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
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The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
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The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
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The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
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The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
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The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
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The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
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The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
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The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
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The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
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The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
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The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
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The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
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The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
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The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
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The Jaguar C-X16 concept will form the basis of the F-Type
The C-Type winning Le Mans in 1951
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The C-Type winning Le Mans in 1951
Ninian Sanderson and Ron Flockhart won the 1956 Le Mans 24 Hours in a D-Type
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Ninian Sanderson and Ron Flockhart won the 1956 Le Mans 24 Hours in a D-Type
Jaguar's C-Type and D-Type
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Jaguar's C-Type and D-Type
Jaguar's C-Type and D-Type
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Jaguar's C-Type and D-Type
Jaguar C-Type
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Jaguar C-Type
Jaguar C-Type
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Jaguar C-Type
Jaguar D-Type
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Jaguar D-Type
The DOHC XK6 engine which powered so many sports cars for Jaguar
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The DOHC XK6 engine which powered so many sports cars for Jaguar
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In 1952, the Jaguar C-type won the Reims Grand Prix in the hands of Sir Stirling Moss Jaguar secured the first win for a disc-braked car with the C-type (XKC 005) in 1952. Sir Stirling Moss recorded the win at Reims in a sports car race supporting the French Grand Prix.
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In 1952, the Jaguar C-type won the Reims Grand Prix in the hands of Sir Stirling Moss Jaguar secured the first win for a disc-braked car with the C-type (XKC 005) in 1952. Sir Stirling Moss recorded the win at Reims in a sports car race supporting the French Grand Prix.
The 1952, the Reims Grand Prix victory to the Jaguar C-type was the first win for a disc-braked car - the race was a sports car race supporting the French Grand Prix.
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The 1952, the Reims Grand Prix victory to the Jaguar C-type was the first win for a disc-braked car - the race was a sports car race supporting the French Grand Prix.
The Jaguar E-Type
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The Jaguar E-Type
Jaguar D-Type
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Jaguar D-Type
Jaguar returned to sports car racing for a decade from 1984 to 1993, winning Le Mans (88,90), Daytona (88, 90) and the World Sportscar Championship (WSC) Group C (87,88,91) with the TWR-developed series of Jaguar XJR Sportscars sponsored primarily by Silk Cut.
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Jaguar returned to sports car racing for a decade from 1984 to 1993, winning Le Mans (88,90), Daytona (88, 90) and the World Sportscar Championship (WSC) Group C (87,88,91) with the TWR-developed series of Jaguar XJR Sportscars sponsored primarily by Silk Cut.
The Jaguar E-Type
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The Jaguar E-Type
The Jaguar E-Type
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The Jaguar E-Type
The Jaguar C-X75 hybrid concept was shown at the Paris Motor Show in 2010 - it is still expected to see production in modified form
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The Jaguar C-X75 hybrid concept was shown at the Paris Motor Show in 2010 - it is still expected to see production in modified form
The Jaguar C-X75 hybrid concept was shown at the Paris Motor Show in 2010
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The Jaguar C-X75 hybrid concept was shown at the Paris Motor Show in 2010
The Jaguar C-X75 was named the Most Significant Concept Vehicle of 2011 in addition to receiving the Concept Car of the Year award.
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The Jaguar C-X75 was named the Most Significant Concept Vehicle of 2011 in addition to receiving the Concept Car of the Year award.
The Jaguar D-Type
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The Jaguar D-Type
Jaguar C-X75 shown in Paris was a plug-in hybrid, with 778 hp driving through four electric motors. The electricity was provided by two diesel-fed micro gas turbines.
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Jaguar C-X75 shown in Paris was a plug-in hybrid, with 778 hp driving through four electric motors. The electricity was provided by two diesel-fed micro gas turbines.
The Jaguar C-X75 hybrid concept was shown at the Paris Motor Show in 2010
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The Jaguar C-X75 hybrid concept was shown at the Paris Motor Show in 2010
The Jaguar C-X75 hybrid concept was shown at the Paris Motor Show in 2010
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The Jaguar C-X75 hybrid concept was shown at the Paris Motor Show in 2010
The Jaguar Xk120
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The Jaguar Xk120
The Jaguar E-Type
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The Jaguar E-Type
1946 Jaguar C-Type
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1946 Jaguar C-Type
1951 Jaguar C-Type
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1951 Jaguar C-Type
Jaguar D-Type
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Jaguar D-Type
This 1953 Jaguar XK 120 Roadster sold at auction in Monterey by RM Auctions in 2009 for US$46,750. Pic courtesy of Darin Schnabel and RM Auctions
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This 1953 Jaguar XK 120 Roadster sold at auction in Monterey by RM Auctions in 2009 for US$46,750. Pic courtesy of Darin Schnabel and RM Auctions
This 1953 Jaguar XK 120 Roadster sold at auction in Monterey by RM Auctions in 2009 for US$46,750. Pic courtesy of Darin Schnabel and RM Auctions
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This 1953 Jaguar XK 120 Roadster sold at auction in Monterey by RM Auctions in 2009 for US$46,750. Pic courtesy of Darin Schnabel and RM Auctions
The double overhead camshaft six of a 1953 Jaguar XK 120 Roadster. Pic courtesy of Darin Schnabel and RM Auctions
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The double overhead camshaft six of a 1953 Jaguar XK 120 Roadster. Pic courtesy of Darin Schnabel and RM Auctions
This 1962 Jaguar E-Type Series I Roadster sold at auction in 2009 by RM Auctions for US$85,250. Pic courtesy of Darin Schnabel and RM Auctions
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This 1962 Jaguar E-Type Series I Roadster sold at auction in 2009 by RM Auctions for US$85,250. Pic courtesy of Darin Schnabel and RM Auctions
This 1952 Jaguar C-Type sold at auction in 2009 by RM Auctions for US$2,530,000. Pic courtesy of Darin Schnabel and RM Auctions
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This 1952 Jaguar C-Type sold at auction in 2009 by RM Auctions for US$2,530,000. Pic courtesy of Darin Schnabel and RM Auctions
This 1952 Jaguar C-Type sold at auction in 2009 by RM Auctions for US$2,530,000. Pic courtesy of Darin Schnabel and RM Auctions
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This 1952 Jaguar C-Type sold at auction in 2009 by RM Auctions for US$2,530,000. Pic courtesy of Darin Schnabel and RM Auctions
This 1952 Jaguar C-Type sold at auction in 2009 by RM Auctions for US$2,530,000. Pic courtesy of Darin Schnabel and RM Auctions
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This 1952 Jaguar C-Type sold at auction in 2009 by RM Auctions for US$2,530,000. Pic courtesy of Darin Schnabel and RM Auctions
This 1955 Jaguar D-Type sold at auction in 2010 by RM Auctions for US$2,090,000. Pic courtesy of Darin Schnabel and RM Auctions
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This 1955 Jaguar D-Type sold at auction in 2010 by RM Auctions for US$2,090,000. Pic courtesy of Darin Schnabel and RM Auctions
This 1955 Jaguar D-Type sold at auction in 2010 by RM Auctions for US$2,090,000. Pic courtesy of Darin Schnabel and RM Auctions
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This 1955 Jaguar D-Type sold at auction in 2010 by RM Auctions for US$2,090,000. Pic courtesy of Darin Schnabel and RM Auctions
The engine of a 1955 Jaguar D-Type. Pic courtesy of Darin Schnabel and RM Auctions
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The engine of a 1955 Jaguar D-Type. Pic courtesy of Darin Schnabel and RM Auctions
The cockpit of a 1955 Jaguar D-Type. Pic courtesy of Darin Schnabel and RM Auctions
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The cockpit of a 1955 Jaguar D-Type. Pic courtesy of Darin Schnabel and RM Auctions
This 1955 Jaguar D-Type sold at auction in 2010 by RM Auctions for US$2,090,000. Pic courtesy of Darin Schnabel and RM Auctions
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This 1955 Jaguar D-Type sold at auction in 2010 by RM Auctions for US$2,090,000. Pic courtesy of Darin Schnabel and RM Auctions
Jaguar considered deploying the name 12 years ago when it showed this concept car as the F-Type and released these images.
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Jaguar considered deploying the name 12 years ago when it showed this concept car as the F-Type and released these images.
Jaguar used the F-Type name for this concept car in 2000.
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Jaguar used the F-Type name for this concept car in 2000.
The first picture the world saw of the 1961 Jaguar E-Type
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The first picture the world saw of the 1961 Jaguar E-Type
The original Jaguar F-Type concept from 2000 was designed by the same team that developed the XJ220
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The original Jaguar F-Type concept from 2000 was designed by the same team that developed the XJ220
The original Jaguar F-Type concept was shown in Detroit in 2000 and was a development of the XK180 Concept shown in 1998
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The original Jaguar F-Type concept was shown in Detroit in 2000 and was a development of the XK180 Concept shown in 1998
The Jaguar F-Type concept shown in 2000 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit - the car was intended for production but was cancelled for unknown reasons
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The Jaguar F-Type concept shown in 2000 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit - the car was intended for production but was cancelled for unknown reasons
The Jaguar F-Type concept shown in 2000 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit - the car was intended for production but was cancelled for unknown reasons
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The Jaguar F-Type concept shown in 2000 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit - the car was intended for production but was cancelled for unknown reasons
The Jaguar F-Type concept shown in 2000 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit - the car was intended for production but was cancelled for unknown reasons
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The Jaguar F-Type concept shown in 2000 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit - the car was intended for production but was cancelled for unknown reasons
The Jaguar F-Type concept shown in 2000 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit - the car was intended for production but was cancelled for unknown reasons
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The Jaguar F-Type concept shown in 2000 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit - the car was intended for production but was cancelled for unknown reasons
This 1962 Jaguar E-Type Series I Roadster sold at auction in 2009 by RM Auctions for US$85,250. Pic courtesy of Darin Schnabel and RM Auctions
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This 1962 Jaguar E-Type Series I Roadster sold at auction in 2009 by RM Auctions for US$85,250. Pic courtesy of Darin Schnabel and RM Auctions
An image from the C-X16 design process which was released by Jaguar at the time of the C-X16 showing. The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type.
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An image from the C-X16 design process which was released by Jaguar at the time of the C-X16 showing. The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type.
An image from the C-X16 design process which was released by Jaguar at the time of the C-X16 showing. The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type.
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An image from the C-X16 design process which was released by Jaguar at the time of the C-X16 showing. The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type.
An image from the C-X16 design process which was released by Jaguar at the time of the C-X16 showing. The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type.
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An image from the C-X16 design process which was released by Jaguar at the time of the C-X16 showing. The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type.
An image from the C-X16 creation process which was released by Jaguar at the time of the C-X16 showing. The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type.
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An image from the C-X16 creation process which was released by Jaguar at the time of the C-X16 showing. The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type.
An image from the C-X16 creation process which was released by Jaguar at the time of the C-X16 showing. The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type.
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An image from the C-X16 creation process which was released by Jaguar at the time of the C-X16 showing. The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type.
An image from the C-X16 design process which was released by Jaguar at the time of the C-X16 showing. The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type.
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An image from the C-X16 design process which was released by Jaguar at the time of the C-X16 showing. The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type.
An image from the C-X16 design process which was released by Jaguar at the time of the C-X16 showing. The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type.
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An image from the C-X16 design process which was released by Jaguar at the time of the C-X16 showing. The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type.
An image from the C-X16 design process which was released by Jaguar at the time of the C-X16 showing. The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type.
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An image from the C-X16 design process which was released by Jaguar at the time of the C-X16 showing. The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type.
An image from the C-X16 design process which was released by Jaguar at the time of the C-X16 showing. The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type.
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An image from the C-X16 design process which was released by Jaguar at the time of the C-X16 showing. The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type.
An image from the C-X16 design process which was released by Jaguar at the time of the C-X16 showing. The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type.
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An image from the C-X16 design process which was released by Jaguar at the time of the C-X16 showing. The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type.
An image from the C-X16 design process which was released by Jaguar at the time of the C-X16 showing. The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type.
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An image from the C-X16 design process which was released by Jaguar at the time of the C-X16 showing. The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type.
An image from the C-X16 design process which was released by Jaguar at the time of the C-X16 showing. The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type.
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An image from the C-X16 design process which was released by Jaguar at the time of the C-X16 showing. The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type.
An image from the C-X16 design process which was released by Jaguar at the time of the C-X16 showing. The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type.
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An image from the C-X16 design process which was released by Jaguar at the time of the C-X16 showing. The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type.
An image from the C-X16 design process which was released by Jaguar at the time of the C-X16 showing. The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type.
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An image from the C-X16 design process which was released by Jaguar at the time of the C-X16 showing. The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type.
The Jaguar C-Type
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The Jaguar C-Type
The Jaguar D-Type
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The Jaguar D-Type
The Jaguar D-Type
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The Jaguar D-Type
The Jaguar D-Type
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The Jaguar D-Type
The Jaguar D-Type
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The Jaguar D-Type
The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type
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The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type
The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type
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The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type
The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type
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The C-X16 will form the basis of the F-Type
Jaguar's Global Brand Director, Adrian Hallmark, announces the F-Type in New York
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Jaguar's Global Brand Director, Adrian Hallmark, announces the F-Type in New York
The Jaguar E-Type
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The Jaguar E-Type
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Jaguar's racing heritage is extensive
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Jaguar's racing heritage is extensive
Sir William Lyons was a motorcycle enthusiast when he and friend William Walmsley, began building sidecars in 1922. The Swallow Sidecar Company went on to become Jaguar.
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Sir William Lyons was a motorcycle enthusiast when he and friend William Walmsley, began building sidecars in 1922. The Swallow Sidecar Company went on to become Jaguar.
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Jaguar's Global Brand Director, Adrian Hallmark, announces the F-Type in New York
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Jaguar's Global Brand Director, Adrian Hallmark, announces the F-Type in New York
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A Jaguar display at the Goodwood Festival of Speed indicates the depth of the heritage of the illustrious marque
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A Jaguar display at the Goodwood Festival of Speed indicates the depth of the heritage of the illustrious marque
View gallery - 130 images

In an extraordinary move, Jaguar has announced it will produce an all-new sports car to go on sale in mid-2013, named the F-Type. Announced but not exhibited at the New York International Auto Show, Jaguar has released images of the vehicle with camouflage paint.

Given the iconic status of its previously letter-designated sports cars (the C-type, D-type and E-type), and Jaguar's already stated intention that the F-type will have the soul of the legendary E-Type, it can be reasonably expected to be spectacularly good.

Jaguar's Global Brand Director, (the appropriately named) Adrian Hallmark, said in New York, "we showed the C-X16 concept in September 2011, and the reaction to it has been so positive that we've accelerated our development of an all-new Jaguar sports car."

Jaguar's Global Brand Director, Adrian Hallmark, announces the F-Type in New York
Jaguar's Global Brand Director, Adrian Hallmark, announces the F-Type in New York

"That car will be called the F-type, and it will be unveiled in production form later this year (2012). The core appeal of Jaguar's cars is their sporting heart, and that heart will beat stronger than ever before in the F-type."

"Its development is a vivid representation of the confidence and ambition of the Jaguar brand, and the desire amongst our engineers and design team to produce a world-leader in a market segment that we have been absent from for too long."

"But no longer – the F-type is coming."

The all-aluminum F-type will be a two-seater convertible with the focus "uncompromisingly on delivering driver reward" according to Jaguar.

The F-type will be available in a range of petrol engines, including some from a new Jaguar power-plant family, and all will "deliver stunning sports car performance".

Hallmark also noted that the F-type's development schedule had just begun final on-road testing, "with engineering prototypes now leaving Jaguar's Castle Bromwich plant – the same plant at which the production cars will be built."

Ian Callum, Director of Design, said: "A true sports car needs to be pure in both its purpose and its form; to have the opportunity to produce such a car for Jaguar has been a privilege both for myself and for my team. The C-type, D-type and E-type Jaguars were all sports cars that held true to this principle in their era, and the F-TYPE will hold true to that same principle in its time, a time that is soon to arrive."

Technical details and specifications of the F-Type have not yet been announced, but given the iconic status of its letter-designated sports cars predecessors, the C-type, D-type and E-type, the Jaguar F-type can be reasonably expected to be spectacularly good.

The C-Type Jaguar

The Jaguar C-Type was a racing version of the XK120 sports car (it is also known as the XK120-C) produced by Jaguar from 1951 to 1953, with the C standing for competition, hence there were no A-Type or B-Type Jaguars.

Jaguar C-Type
Jaguar C-Type

Its stylish, aerodynamic, aluminum body was designed by Malcolm Sayer to enclose the lightweight triangulated, tubular steel chassis and mainly XK120 mechanicals, shaving more than 1000 pounds (400 kg) from the weight, but doubling the price of the regular XK120.

A period shot of the XK120 Jaguar
A period shot of the XK120 Jaguar

Now the XK120 was an extremely fast car to begin with. When it was launched in 1948 it was the fastest production car in the world, and the 120 signified its 120 mph (193 km/h) top speed.

In 1950, Stirling Moss and Leslie Johnson averaged 107.46 mph at the banked French Autodrome de Montlhéry circuit, then in 1951 it averaged 131.83 mph at the same circuit and in 1952, it averaged 100.31 mph for a WEEK.

1951 Jaguar C-Type
1951 Jaguar C-Type

For the C-Type, the XK120's DOHC six was tweaked to produce 205 bhp and the combination of power, aerodynamics and superb handling saw the car win on debut at the Le Mans 24 hours race in 1951.

The C-Type winning Le Mans in 1951
The C-Type winning Le Mans in 1951

Modifications to the cars for the 1952 race resulted in inadequate cooling and all three Jaguar entries failed to finish the race due to the resultant overheating, with Mercedes taking a 1-2 with the gullwing-doored 300SL.

In 1952, the Jaguar C-type won the Reims Grand Prix in the hands of Sir Stirling Moss Jaguar secured the first win for a disc-braked car with the C-type (XKC 005) in 1952. Sir Stirling Moss recorded the win at Reims in a sports car race supporting the French Grand Prix.
In 1952, the Jaguar C-type won the Reims Grand Prix in the hands of Sir Stirling Moss Jaguar secured the first win for a disc-braked car with the C-type (XKC 005) in 1952. Sir Stirling Moss recorded the win at Reims in a sports car race supporting the French Grand Prix.

With the cooling sorted, the cars won again in 1953, the first time that the race had been won at an average of over 100 mph.The D-Type Jaguar

Jaguar D-Type
Jaguar D-Type

The D-Type Jaguar was the car that indelibly burned the name Jaguar into the psyche of the global automotive public beyond Great Britain, though it did not do so initially.

The car made extensive use of aeronautical engineering and was the first racing car to use a monocoque chassis to win a major race.

Jaguar's racing heritage is extensive
Jaguar's racing heritage is extensive

Like the C-Type, the D-Type used the same DOHC six cylinder engine enlarged from 3.4 liters to 3.8 liters but there was little else that was common.

In 1957, the Jaguar D-Type finished 1-2-3-4-6 at the Le Mans 24 Hour race
In 1957, the Jaguar D-Type finished 1-2-3-4-6 at the Le Mans 24 Hour race

The D-Type emulated the C-Type in winning the Le Mans 24 hour race more than once, being unlucky in finishing second at its first try, then inheriting a win when Mercedes Benz pulled out of the 1955 event whilst leading - the reason for Mercedes' withdrawal was the infamous crash which saw 80 spectators killed and catalyzed a major rethink of motorsport safety standards.

Ninian Sanderson and Ron Flockhart won the 1956 Le Mans 24 Hours in a D-Type
Ninian Sanderson and Ron Flockhart won the 1956 Le Mans 24 Hours in a D-Type

The D-Type won again in 1956 (in the complete absence of the Mercedes team and its very fast SL300 Gullwings), but Jaguar's finest hour came courtesy of the D-Type in 1957 when the five D-Types fronted the starter in the world's most important race, finishing first, second, third, fourth and sixth - there has never been a perfect race for any marque at Le Mans, but the D-Type went awfully close.

The E-Type Jaguar

The first picture the world saw of the 1961 Jaguar E-Type
The first picture the world saw of the 1961 Jaguar E-Type

The E-Type was first seen by the general public in the above press photograph issued by the factory prior to its first public showing at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show.

Not surprisingly, the launch of the exquisitely beautiful E-Type in 1961 was met with extraordinary acclaim. Enzo Ferrari called it "the most beautiful car ever made", which is high praise indeed from someone who was responsible for several cars which could arguably contest such a title.

The Jaguar E-Type
The Jaguar E-Type

The E-Type offered excellent performance thanks to the aerodynamic efficiencies it inherited from its predecessors plus the XK6 DOHC motor which by then sported triple SU carburettors and a 3.8 liter capacity and a very modest price in comparison to its contemporaries at just GBP2,256 (less than GBP40,000 in today's currency).

The DOHC XK6 engine which powered so many sports cars for Jaguar
The DOHC XK6 engine which powered so many sports cars for Jaguar

The E-Type attracted a horde of celebrity owners, from sixties heart-throbs Steve McQueen, Tony Curtis and Brigitte Bardot, through to soccer superstar and playboy Georgie Best.

Jaguar's Design Director Ian Callum, said it best: “It is impossible to overstate the impact the E-Type had when it was unveiled in 1961. Here was a car that encapsulated the spirit of the revolutionary era it came to symbolise."

The E-Type became one of the key symbols of the swinging sixties.

The first F-Type

Jaguar considered deploying the name 12 years ago when it showed this concept car as the F-Type and released these images.
Jaguar considered deploying the name 12 years ago when it showed this concept car as the F-Type and released these images.

Jaguar is making it quite clear that it considers the F-Type embodies the soul of the E-Type, if not the form. Back in 2000 the company showed an F-Type concept (above) which was clearly far closer to the original E-Type but for unknown reasons the project was shelved.

Now the F-Type is to be based on the C-X16 and Jaguar is again on the move with the financial backing and stability of the giant Indian Tata behind it.

It's almost inconceivable that the F-Type will not be very, very good.

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5 comments
5 comments
Mr Stiffy
The F type looks crap - like one of the Mazda ? Rotaries....
Bring back the NICE rounded shapes.....
The C type looks nice....
Andrew Kennedy
This is a severe disappointment. What happened to the bold lines of the XC-16 and the extra electric motors to boost the power of an all new V6? The flared wheel arches, the agressive stance, the swooping curves. Where is that design concept? This F-type looks like a watered down version of the current XK, a Mazda MX5, an MG-F. This just won't do Jaguar.
toolman65
I agree, my first thought was it was a Mazda MX-5 with the nose of an Infinity tacked on.
Considering the prestige and brand recognition that goes with the E types, you would hope for a better attempt.
There is nothing that says "Jaguar" about this car. Perhaps that is why they gave it such an awful paint job. Why not paint it the same as the Le Mans winning D type,in British Racing Green with a white patch and black number?
It is a sad comment on Jaguar when Hyundai is building more attractive cars.
Mel Tisdale
What about the XK140 and XK150?
engineeron
Funglestrumpet - in what way are those Jaguar letter-type cars? They were essentially descendants of the XK-120 which was HEAVILY modified to become the basis for the C-Type, founder of the letter-type series. Just as the XK-120 was not a letter-series car itself, neither are the XK-140 or -150. Thus, they are not germane to the content of this article.