Jaguar has revealed details for its MY16 F-Type range which includes the option of a new rear bias all-wheel drive system. Also attracting headlines is the arrival of the F-Type R convertible. And finally, if you want to keep your British roadster experience old skool and rear-wheel drive only, you can get yourself into a V6-powered F-Type S with a 6-speed manual transmission.
Full details on all of that can be accessed below, for now let’s focus on the all-wheel drive system.
“Under normal sub-limit driving conditions, 100 per cent of engine torque is sent to the rear axle,” reads the official press release. “When required, the electromechanically-actuated coupling in the transfer case enables smooth transfer of torque to the front axle—the process is virtually transparent to the driver.”
Any chance a manufacturer gets to own a new acronym is never wasted and the letters of the day for Jag’s all-wheel drive tech are IDD, which stands for Intelligent Driveline Dynamics. Developed in-house by Jaguar the IDD controller harnesses the capabilities of the rear diff, the torque vectoring by braking system and DSC to monitor the yaw rate, steering angle, wheel speed and directional acceleration sensors to optimise torque distribution.
IDD allows for increased parameters to be applied in the selectable driving modes: Normal, Rain and Dynamic. The net result being a greater difference in all three modes compared with the rear-wheel drive models.
There are subtle styling differences for the AWD models, too, although only trainspotters need apply. If that’s you then keep an eye out for a bigger bulge in the bonnet, new vents on the front quarter panels and the more obvious AWD badging at the rear of the car.
The F-Type has created enormous goodwill for Jaguar, thanks to its incredible good looks and generally positive driving experience. Let’s hope the addition of all-wheel drive enhances to this F-Type’s reputation, because lord knows we need more options than the default German marques for quality Euro sportscars.
