As it turns out, Jaguar’s upcoming mid-cycle refresh for the F-Type series has a surprise in store for us, as we can confirm that this newly spied tester packs a four-cylinder engine.

The confirmation comes from cross-checking the prototype’s license plates with the UK’s registration database, revealing that it’s powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine, and which, even if not mentioned in the sheet, is without a doubt turbocharged.

The Jaguar-Land Rover group already offers such a force-fed four across its range, and in fact, the only Jaguar model that hasn’t received it yet in any market is the F-Type, as even the XJ is available in certain countries with the 2.0L turbo.

In those cars, the four-pot delivers up to 237hp (240PS) at 5,500rpm and a peak torque of 340Nm (251 lb-ft) between 1,800 and 4,000rpm, paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Evidently, that’s not enough for a high-end sports car, so in the case of the F-Type, Jaguar will either modify the existing unit or (more likely) drop in one of their upcoming Ingenium gasoline fours producing at least 300 horses. That’s if they only want to go up against Porsche’s newly introduced base Cayman that sports a 300hp 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer engine.

As many automakers have proved recently, they can easily achieve much higher numbers than that, so we wouldn’t be surprised if Jaguar presents a second four-cylinder with around 350hp to replace today’s base 340hp 3.0-liter supercharged V6 model, and in the process, compete with Porsche’s 350hp Cayman S that has a 2.5-liter turbo four. This would also allow them to tweak the F-Type ‘S’ 3.0-liter supercharged V6 from 380hp to at least 400hp.

It’s highly probable that the base four(s) will be offered with a six-speed manual as standard, with an eight-speed automatic available optionally.

There are several reasons why Jaguar is going down this route, the main one being to significantly drop CO emissions and fuel economy over today’s base V6, with the lighter four-cylinder engine helping reduce the F-Type’s weight, making it more agile in the process.

Some minor differences over the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 prototype of the 2018 F-Type ‘S’ we spied a couple of days ago include the absence of the full-led headlamps, retractable rear spoiler and protruding side skirts, plus less prominent hood vents, and a squared-off single central exhaust at the back. Elsewhere, the four-cylinder model(s) will get the same subtle revisions to the front and rear ends along with some updates inside that will include Jag’s newer infotainment system with a larger screen.

Even if we haven’t spotted the F-Type Convertible yet, it will most certainly get the same revisions and four-cylinder option(s) as the Coupe.

Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops

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