Despite the relentless progress of automotive technology, I remain the ever optimist and hold onto one simple belief: as long as there are car enthusiasts, automakers will continue to make vehicles just for them.
As we got closer to the official launch of the new Jaguar F-type sports car, a well-informed source within the British marque has confirmed that the new model will feature an eight-speed automatic as well as an optional manual transmission.
According to Car and Driver, Jaguar will likely limit its manual transmission offerings to only select powerplants and select body styles rather than have the gearbox available throughout the range. For example, Car and Driver believes there's a high possibility that only the sharper handling coupe will receive the manual transmission, while the grand touring roadsters will only be available with the automatic.
As for gearbox and powerplant combinations, the F-type will offer a choice of a respectable 3.0 liter V6 engine producing 340-hp, then a slightly tuned variant offering 380-hp, and finally supercharged 5.0 liter V8 range-topping that delivers 500-hp. If Car and Driver's is prediction is any good, then we assume the tuned 380-hp to be the engine of choice for the manual option.
Beyond the F-type, the Jaguar source also hinted that manual transmission options will be available in other models in the line-up as well.
Driver focused roadsters were the sort of vehicles that put Jaguar on the map in the first place. It's great to see the large cat return to its old roots. On the F-type, Jaguar Global Brand Director Adrian Hallmark said, "The unveiling of the F-TYPE in Paris will be a truly significant day in Jaguar's history as it will mark the company's return to the sports car market, a market it originally helped to create. As its sporting forebears did in their era, the F-TYPE will break new ground by delivering stunning sports car performance while vividly demonstrating Jaguar's cutting-edge engineering technologies and world-class design excellence. The next step in Jaguar's sporting bloodline is about to become reality."
[Source: Car and Driver]
