Jaguar is launching a new 4-cylinder F-Type coupe and cabriolet in South Africa this week. We will be driving it at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Johannesburg this week! See pricing details below.

Jaguar has been forced down the 4-cylinder route, much like Porsche was with its 718 range. The downsizing trend continues as engines get smaller, turbochargers get better and crisp exhaust notes fade into forgotten memory, replaced with pops and bangs tuned by a "young man behind a laptop wearing a trucker hat".

We have fond memories of the V6 and V8 F-Type derivatives and we hope the new 4-pot will deliver similar thrills. For starters, the 2.0-litre Ingenium unit develops a healthy 221 kW and 400 Nm of torque. That's good enough to shove the less-than-lightweight F-Type from zero to 100 kph in 5.7 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 250 kph. The smaller engine does have the advantage of weight, lessening the load on the front axle by 52 kg.

The 4-cylinder has been dropped into both the coupe and convertible models. Engineers have given the standard models an active exhaust system to enhance the tailpipe sound. R-Dynamic variants get a switchable active exhaust mode.

The R-Dynamics models get additional kit that includes a sportier bumpers and side sill to go with gloss black interior trim and 19-inch wheels.

Jaguar F-Type 2.0 – Price in SA

2.0 Coupe R953 400

2.0 Convertible R971 000

Prices include a 3-year/100 000 manufacturer warranty and 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.

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