Jaguar Land Rover is set to build its first pure sports car since 1975 as it bids to take on the giants of the sector.
The new F-Type — a two-seater convertible — is set to be unveiled in production form later this year, and go on sale mid-2013, the company said. The last pure sports car launched by the company was the Jaguar E-Type between 1961 and 1975, which quickly became an icon, and regularly featured in films of the time.
The company had accelerated the development of the car following the success of the C-X16 concept car in September last year, said Mr Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director of Jaguar Cars.
The new car would “hold true” to the same principle of its predecessors, namely being “pure in both its purpose and its form”, Director of Design, Mr. Ian Callum, said.
The car will fit between the Porsche Boxter and the Porsche 911 in the market, says Mr Ian Fletcher, an analyst at IHS Global Insight in London.
“The design is very lithe, squat, and purposeful. The car is incredibly focused on the core sports car market, going to the heart of Jaguar's heritage.” He estimates that sales could peak at around 15,000 units a year, before settling at the 10,000 a year mark. The company has not set a price yet, though analysts expect it to retail for around £50,000.
The car will be produced at JLR's Castle Bromwich plant in Britain.