 |
| The XK 180 concept is a lot larger than the F-Type concept, but its styling theme is very similar. (Photo: Jaguar) |
The F-Type's styling was heavily inspired by the leaping cat's XK 180 concept car from 1998, but architecturally it was all its own. At 645 mm (25.4 in) shorter than the production XKR, on which the XK 180 was based, and approximately 100 mm (4 in) narrower than both, the F-Type was slated to go up against the likes of BMW's Z3 Roadster, Mercedes-Benz's SLK and the Porsche Boxster. No doubt, on looks alone, it would have faired well.
The car's styling was aerodynamically honed, with a long, elegant hood, small oval grille and soft curvaceous shoulders, its body flush headlamps, similar in principle to the D-Type and E-Type Series I predecessors, reducing drag. The headlights themselves are multi-element clusters incorporating Baroptic light-guide technology, slightly beyond anything mid-century technology had to offer. On this theme a movable splitter airfoil was incorporated to increase downforce up front while a diffuser tunnel exits air through the rear. Its back end styling duplicates the front in simplicity, an oval license plate inset mirroring the grille opening flanked by single, circular light-emitting diode (LED) taillights.
 |
| The F-Types lines are clean and simple, in sharp contrast to much of what was being offered in 2000 when it first appeared. (Photo: Jaguar) |
The F-Type's design team was led by Keith Helfet, who also developed the aforementioned XK180 concept and mid-engine XJ220 production supercar. Initially the work began under the guiding hand of the late Geoff Lawson, Jaguar's past Director of Styling, who died suddenly in June 1999. The car was completed under the influence of Jaguar's new Director of Design, Ian Callum, who respectfully commented the F-Type concept was a tribute to Geoff Lawson. "Sadly," he stated, "This car is the last to bear Geoff's inimitable stamp. It is a fine example of the standards we will strive to maintain."