Currently reading: 2017 Jaguar F-Type 2.0-litre diesel spotted testing
Jaguar is testing a four-cylinder diesel engine in its F-Type sports car

Jaguar is testing a 2.0-litre diesel engine in its Jaguar F-Type sports car.

Spy photos show the car's number plate, which, when checked against an online vehicle database, reveals that the model being tested has a 2.0-litre diesel engine and that the car has been under development since April 2016.

Read more: 2017 Jaguar F-Type four-cylinder could get 300bhp

The car was spotted testing near Royal Leamington Spa, not far from Jaguar’s headquarters in Coventry. The photos also reveal that Jaguar Land Rover’s chief engineer, Mike Cross, behind the wheel.

Jaguar has long been rumoured to be developing a diesel variant of the F-Type, as well as a four-cylinder petrol version running an upcoming Ingenium engine. It’s expected to produce as much as 300bhp in the F-Type.

The F-Type diesel project was reported to have been shelved, but the emergence of these new images suggests it has been picked up once again, at least for evaluation purposes.

The facelifted F-Type is due to be unveiled late next year, so it’s likely that if four-cylinder variants are on the way, they will be revealed with the facelifted car. An introduction of these engines would suggest that Jaguar is aiming squarely at the Porsche Boxster with the new entry-level versions.

Expect a new entry-level price to fit with the new engines. The Porsche 718 Boxster is priced from just under £40,000, so a similar price for the entry-level F-Type is expected.

A Jaguar Land Rover spokesman said: "We do not discuss out future product plans. However, we have said we are expanding our product ranges. As a result there are many Jaguar and Land Rover development vehicles and technologies being tested at any one time. We have nothing further to add at this stage or desire to comment on the speculation with regard to future potential models."

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speckyclay 8 November 2016

Early days

Astounded by the amount of hate on here for a sports car powered by the 'wrong' fuel. No-one here has driven it, what makes you think it will be terrible? Providing it doesn't replace the petrol models, I'm all for it. I'd rather criticise Porsche for only providing the Boxster and Cayman with a 4-pot; at least Jag is providing some choice.
speckyclay 8 November 2016

Early days

Astounded by the amount of hate on here for a sports car powered by the 'wrong' fuel. No-one here has driven it, what makes you think it will be terrible? Providing it doesn't replace the petrol models, I'm all for it. I'd rather criticise Porsche for only providing the Boxster and Cayman with a 4-pot; at least Jag is providing some choice.
BertoniBertone 7 November 2016

You are the weakest link.....goodbye

The F-Type in every conceivable variation is bested by something out there. No one but the newly certified or mechanically illiterate Lotto millionaire would buy a one new. The used ones are being hoovered-up on the cheap by menopausal Pringle-wearing retirees round my neck of the woods. Most of them wouldn't know the Bauhaus from a outside ***house. From SVR to this 'proposed' diesel F-type (nearly 1.7 tonne EC weight, anyone...?) the F-Type is rapidly becoming so off the pace I think Jag should throw in the towel and concentrate on SUVs....