As if Jaguar’s F-Type sports car wasn’t already thrilling enough, the British bad boy of luxury cars is making things even more enticing.

In 2014, Jaguar gave us the F-Type Roadster. Last year, a sexy-coupe was added along with an even more powerful R model. This year, Jaguar is at it again adding new models and new choices, the biggest of which are all-wheel drive and a manual transmission.
The F-Type is finally about to be available with a stick, but hold your enthusiasm because it’s only available with the supercharged V6 engine.
Still, being able to row-your-own gears through a ZF six-speed manual transmission is pretty good when you’re talking about a blown V6 with either 340 or 380 hp.
It features a short-throw gear shifter that only travels 1.77 inches. Jaguar claims the ratios are closely spaced and that the pedals are placed for optimal heel-toe shifting. And to keep with the purity of a manual transmission, the six-speed uses rod linkage for a more direct connection between the gear lever and the transmission’s forks.

F-Type All-Wheel Drive

For 2016, all V8 F-Types will come standard with AWD, including the V8 R Coupe. The F-Type Roadster also receives AWD, but the changes don’t stop there. The V8 S Roadster is now dead, replaced by a V8 R Roadster. That means all V8 F-Types are now powered by a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 making 550 HP and 502 lb-ft., sent to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic.
Yes, the V8 F-Type is still only available with an automatic, but it’s good enough to propel either the coupe or roadster from 0 to 60 MPH in just 3.9 seconds. Top speed is limited to 186 MPH. All-wheel drive will also be offered as an option on the more powerful of the supercharged V6 F-Type, the S Coupe and Convertible. Like the V8, V6 AWD models will only be available with the eight-speed automatic.

The all-wheel drive system sends 100 percent of the engines power rearward until slippage is detected. Upwards of 50 percent of the power can be sent to the front wheels for better traction. This also applies to cornering as more power will be sent to the front wheels if the F-Type begins to oversteer or more can be sent back to the rear wheels with the car begins to understeer. All F-Types now come with torque-vectoring braking for better cornering as well.
Like most AWD systems, Jaguar’s features programmable modes through what the company calls “Intelligent Driveline Dynamics.” The rear differential, center coupling and stability control systems can be cycled through normal, rain/ice/snow and dynamic modes.
The new F-Type with AWD should be easily identifiable thanks to unique styling changes for 2016. The hood has been reshaped and the dual vents are placed further apart and more forward than other F-TYPE models. The new AWD model also features colored side sills and unique exhaust trim for both V6 and V8 models. Weight increases for the F-Type are as expected with the V8 R Coupe now weighing 3,814 lbs. To compensate this weight increase, the front springs have been stiffened by 10% and the variable dampers have been reprogrammed.

Now with Electric Power Steering

In a move that some will call heresy, The F-TYPE is the first Jaguar sports car to use electric power steering. The reason Jaguar is adopting the technology now is because the company feels it has developed enough to deliver the right kind of steering response and feel for a proper sports car. Jaguar has been working on the system since 2008 and claims it’s more efficient and more tunable than a standard hydraulic steering system. As well, the software can even compensate for differences in ambient temperature, to make sure the steering feel is the same no matter the weather outside.
Changes are not limited to just the chassis and drivetrain, Jaguar has also given the F-Type new dials and gauges as well as the recently introduced InControl infotainment system. For 2016, the F-Type includes the 770-watt Meridian audio system, smart key keyless entry and a 14-way power seat standard. The coupe now includes the panoramic glass roof standard as well as a power tailgate.
And because not every F-Type is obnoxiously loud currently, the S model now gets the active exhaust standard.