Matt Burt wrote:The Jaguar F-Type 400 Sport, a special-edition model that will remain on sale for just one year, has been launched as part of a raft of revisions to the British sports car.
First launched in 2012, the whole F-Type range has been updated for 2017 with new derivatives introduced to the range, mildly overhauled exterior looks and new technology.
One of the key developments is the F-Type 400 Sport launch edition is powered by a 395bhp version of the 3.0-litre supercharged V6 engine and a chassis that’s been uprated by the addition of the Super Performance braking system (which features 380mm front and 376mm rear discs and black calipers with 400 Sport logo) and a Configurable Dynamics system which allows drivers to select individual settings for the throttle, transmission, steering and dampers. The F-Type 400 Sport rides on 20in alloys.
It features ‘400 Sport’ badges on the front splitter and rear of the car, as well as the centre console, steering wheel, tread plates and embroidered headrests. The F-Type 400 Sport will go on sale worldwide for one model year and is available as either a coupé or convertible and in either rear or all-wheel drive. The price starts at £70,115 on the road.
Another new addition to the range is an R-Dynamic 340 derivative which produces 335bhp from the 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine. Priced from £55,150, the R-Dynamic 340 is available as either an eight-speed automatic or manual connected to rear-wheel-drive only. It sits above the standard F-Type in the model range and is distinguished by its 19in alloy wheel designs and by the gloss black accents on the front bumper aperture bezels, front splitter, bonnet vents, side sills and rear diffuser.
Some blink-and-you'll-miss-them styling changes to the F-Type’s front bumper have been made to provide greater differentiation across the derivatives in the range. In place of the double apertures at each front corner, there is now a single aperture with a lozenge mesh design. Different versions get subtly different designs. For example, the F-Type V8 R boasts larger, wider apertures with a horizontal blade running through them. The increase in size is to maximise airflow and enhance aerodynamic efficiency to account for the higher performance.
There are now full LED headlights and in another change the daytime running lights now double as direction indicators. The LED rear light clusters have been subtly updated too, with darker lenses.
Inside, the revised F-Type gets lightweight slimline seats and new chrome and aluminium trim finishers. The seat frames are pressure-diecast magnesium alloy, chosen for its high strength-to-weight ratio and formability properties.
The seats are more than 8kg lighter than the current ones and the new design allows the seatback to move rearwards by up to 50mm more than before, which in turn enables a lower seating position and increased legroom. The seats can be specified with heating and cooling elements.
The seats come in two forms: sport and performance. The F-Type and F-Type R-Dynamic model lines come with the sport version of the seat as standard. The 400 Sport, R and SVR have the performance version as standard, each with unique branding in the headrests.
Further revisions to the cabin include chrome finishes on the engine start-stop button, gearshift paddles, door switches surround, air vent bezels and steering wheel. Now, every F-Type across the range features the Touch Pro infotainment system with an 8in capacitive touchscreen.
A new parking assistance system will be added to the F-Type's roster of driver aids. When passing a potential space, the car’s ultrasonic parking sensors measure its length. If suitable, the system takes care of the steering: all the driver has to do is press a button, engage reverse and control the throttle and brakes. The system will also guide the vehicle out of a space.
A new smartphone app called ReRun is also available for use in conjunction with the revamped F-Type. Developed in collaboration with GoPro, it enables real-time video from one of the latter’s cameras to be overlaid with key performance data, including speed, throttle position, gear selection, braking force, g-force and steering wheel angle.
The smartphone connects wirelessly to a compatible GoPro camera and can be connected to the F-Type's infotainment system via USB. The ReRun app allows drivers to download either the entire video with highlights included, or just the highlights and there’s also an editing function. The videos can then be shared across social media platforms.
The F-Type model range has now expanded to 22 derivatives, starting from the £51,450 F-Type coupé, and goes on sale in the coming months.
