Jaguar considers two-seater F-Type GT

Hot on the heels of the new XF saloon, rumours are flying that Jaguar is on the verge of putting a two-seater GT sports car into production.

As a spiritual successor to the E-Type - of which there have admittedly been a few over the years - and little brother to the larger XK GT, the new model may be called the F-Type and could be on the roads by 2012.

Jaguar toyed with introducing an F-Type model in 2000 under Ford, but canned the idea, much to the relief of Porsche boss Dr. Wendelin Wiedeking, who declared: "If Jaguar had gone ahead with the F-Type, the Boxster would have had a serious rival."

The new model will take its styling cues from design boss Ian Callum's new direction for the Big Cat as seen on the new XF, and forthcoming new XJ.

Callum is known to be keen on designing a successor to the E-Type and Tata has fashioned a five-year plan that must look at smaller, cleaner vehicles if it isn't to be crippled by European Union emissions regulations likely to come in by 2012.

In the F-Type's sights will be European GTs such as the newly-unveiled Ferrari California, as well as Aston's Vantage and the new Audi R8. The Jag is likely to significantly undercut the likes the Ferrari model and should also come in cheaper than the Aston and Audi.

Coupe and cabriolet versions are a must, and engines will likely include Jag's supercharged 4.2-litre petrol as seen in the XF and XK, while Ford's huge range of engines will still be on hand for Jaguar and Land Rover under Tata.

Where else Tata takes Jaguar is uncertain. The ill-fated X-Type - designed to compete with the 3-Series and C-Classes of this world - was widely considered a failure by consumers and industry alike, and it's uncertain whether Tata will replace the compact premium.

As for the new XJ, XK and possible F-Type, global economic uncertainty is sure to hit high-end manufacturers first and hardest. A sudden downturn in western markets for big-ticket purchases might once again put the E-Type successor project on ice once again. 



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