Aluminum-Bodied Jaguar F-Type on the Way for 2013

Jaguar has confirmed that it will produce an all-new sports car for 2013—the aluminum-bodied F-Type.

The F-Type will be the first launch of a two-seat sports car from Jaguar in over 50 years—and is spiritual successor to the iconic E-series, discontinued in 1975.

"We showed the C-X16 concept in September 2011, and the reaction to it has been so positive that we've accelerated our development of an all-new Jaguar sports car," Jaguar Global Brand Director Adrian Hallmark said at the New York Auto Show in April.

The C-X16 coupe concept was constructed with a lightweight aluminum chassis and aluminum body for maximum torsional rigidity. According to Jaguar's design director, Ian Callum, the F-Type will incorporate "95 percent" of the C-X16.

Although Jaguar has not released specifications on the F-Type yet, it is expected to ride on a chassis slightly smaller than that of the aluminum XK.

Jaguar will launch the vehicle as a soft-top roadster with fabric roof. A coupe version, with fixed roof, will follow.

Production will begin at Jaguar's Castle Bromwich factory later this year, with models available in the showroom by mid-2013. Jaguar has identified the U.S.—the largest sports car market in the world—as a "prime market" for the vehicle.

U.S. pricing for the vehicle has not been made available yet, but it is expected to compete with the Porsche 911 and Mercedes SL.