Jaguar F-Type gets supercharged V6

Jaguar has confirmed the F-Type's engine range will at least include the supercharged 3.0-litre V6 unit derived from the brand's blown 5.0-litre V8. The V6 was expected to serve the new model's purposes but more interestingly, a four-cylinder turbocharged unit could also line-up. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder is already part of the JLR stable, utilised by the Range Rover Evoque, and Jaguar has confirmed it will use the turbo petrol four in the XF model as well. However Jaguar has not yet said which F-Type models will be equipped with the 2.0-litre turbo engine but upcoming two-seater is an obvious fit. Jaguar Australia Brand Manager, Kevin Goult, told motoring.com.au the 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine will be packaged with the XF, arriving in Australia later in 2012, but wouldn't be drawn on its F-Type deployment. "In regards to F-TYPE at this stage the only confirmed engine is the 3.0-litre V6 supercharged engine that was announced at Beijing motor show. We're remaining tight lipped on all other aspects of the car at present and more details will follow during the coming months. "I can confirm that the 2.0-litre petrol turbo will be fitted in XF and available in Australia Q4 2012. It's an important segment for XF with this engine so we're keen to work hard on pricing to make it even more competitive than what we have today." The turbo four is good for 179kW at 5500 revs and uses an eight-speed automatic to maximise "efficiency and performance" and exploit the engine's "highly flexible powerband" says Jaguar in its Beijing show press release. Torque and fuel consumption figures weren't published. "These engines [the I4 and V6] will be offered as choices on a number of Jaguar models in the future," read the press statement. Two (253 and 283kW) versions of the V6 will be offered; both using the ZF-built eight-speed. The all-aluminium unit will also employ Jag's Intelligent Stop-Start system. According to Ron Lee, chief engineer for Jaguar Cars, both the four and six-cylinder engines "make intelligent use of forced-induction technology to produce high-specific output in an efficient way, while delivering the compelling combination of flexibility, refinement and driver reward that are integral attributes in all Jaguar engines." JAGUAR XJ ULTIMATE In other Jag news, the brand released the XJ Ultimate model at the Beijing motor show. Long and luxurious, the XJ Ultimate features iPads with keyboards and docks mounted in the back of the front headrests. It even has a champagne chiller and storage for flutes, and a folding aluminium business table for rear passengers, and a 20-speaker surround sound system by British audio experts Meridian provides the music. Up front seating includes massage function and cooling/heating. Designed to appease the China market, the opulent limousine will be the first car to use the abovementioned supercharged V6. Jaguar Australia says it has one order for the XJ Ultimate in this country. "In regards to XJ Ultimate, I believe we have one customer who is enquiring about the car," says Goult. "We are only going to bring it in as retail order only so it will be exceptionally rare in Australia."