2016 Jaguar F-Type starts at $65,995

     PHOTO BY JAGUAR

RIGHT PRICE AND GOOD WARRANTY PUT BALL IN PORSCHE’S COURT

    Jaguar laid out the details of the 2016 F-Type on Monday. The big news is the addition of all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual. Also, the 550-hp F-Type R is now available in convertible form. Jaguar apparently has its sights squarely set on Porsche, who is named several times in the new release.

   “The Jaguar F-Type Coupe, S Coupe and R Convertible have 65, 30 and 150 more horsepower respectively, than the Porsche Cayman, Porsche 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera S Convertible. All three similarly equipped F-Type derivatives are priced lower at $4,410, $23,745 and $19,165 less, respectively.”

    Jaguar doesn’t mince words.

   Three engines are offered for 2016. The base model comes with a 340-hp supercharged V6; S models get an uprated, 380-hp supercharged V6; and R models get the sledgehammer, a 550-hp V8. All-wheel drive is standard on R models, optional on automatic-equipped S models.

   The basic F-Type coupe with a six-speed manual starts at $65,995, including destination; the automatic bumps the price up $1,300 to $67,295. The F-Type S coupe starts at $79,795; the S convertible stickers for $81,395. All-wheel drive adds $6,000 on the coupes, $7,500 on the convertibles. The F-Type R just cracks the century mark at $104,595.

   Jag adds a five-year, 60,000-mile limited warranty and complimentary scheduled maintenance free of charge.

    Interior upgrades include new dials for the instrument cluster, an updated infotainment system and a group of connectivity apps that allows owners to control certain functions with their smartphones. Buyers can contact roadside assistance, remotely lock the car, change the climate control and beep the horn to help find the car in a parking lot.

    The 2016 Jaguar F-Type hits dealerships in April.