Four-wheel drive for Jaguar F-Type

The Jaguar F-Type range will be enhanced early next year with the addition of optional four-wheel drive, a manual gearbox and an improved interior.

A new version will also join the range in the shape of the Jaguar F-Type R Convertible, a model that replaces the V8 S Convertible. It will offer an astonishing turn of speed, with a 3.9-second 0-60mph time and a 186mph top speed.

The new version will be one of three to be offered with four-wheel drive. Jaguar F-Type AWD models will operate in rear-wheel-drive mode until grip is lost, at which point the car will send power to the front wheels to increase grip.

AWD models are differentiated by a power bulge on the bonnet and a new set of 19-inch alloy wheels.

The new manual gearbox will only be offered on the entry-level F-Type and F-Type S models.

Other new additions to the F-Type range include InControl Touch and InControl Touch Plus connectivity systems, which allow better smartphone integration with text-to-speech functions and automatic connection to Jaguar Assistance features.

The InControl Remote Premium App takes things further, allowing owners to see how much fuel is in the car's tank, start the engine, set the climate control, see whether the windows are open, lock or unlock the car or even flash the lights from their smartphone.

New F-Types also receive a new electronic power-steering system to give better responses and new options include a grip-improving torque-vectoring system and a range of styling upgrades.

On sale in spring 2015, the revised F-Type range starts at £51,250 for the F-Type Coupe manual, rising to £97,135 for the F-Type R Convertible AWD. Jaguar charges £5,485 more for Convertible models, but the new manual gearbox will be £1,800 cheaper than automatic models. AWD models cost an additional £4,850.