Jaguar has revealed a new entry-level variant of the F-Type powered by a new four-cylinder Ingenium turbo-petrol engine.

The Ingenium engine is a 2.0-litre, turbocharged unit delivering 300hp and 400Nm and is the most powerful four-cylinder unit Jaguar has ever offered. At 150hp per litre, it has the highest specific output of any model in the line-up. Though the new model is 39.5hp down on the rear-wheel-drive F-Type V6, it is capable of reaching 100kph from rest in 5.4sec and hitting a top speed of 250kph. It may match the V6 on 0-100kph time but is 11kph down on the V6 model's maximum speed.

The four-cylinder model has a kerb weight of 1,525kg in the coupé form and 1,545kg as a convertible.

Most of its weight saving comes from over the front axles, and Jaguar says this also improves the car’s weight distribution, shifting one per cent of mass towards the rear; the car now has a perfect 50/50 weight distribution, according to Jaguar. The suspension has also been tweaked all around to suit the reduced weight, as has been the power steering.

The new model will be available only with Jaguar’s eight-speed automatic gearbox, which has been tweaked specifically for use in the 1,997cc, four-cylinder, twin-scroll, turbocharged engine, and in rear-wheel drive only. The turbocharger itself also features ceramic ball bearings to reduce friction.

Jaguar also claims to have solved the problem of the four-cylinder engine’s deficit in engine note, when compared with the V6 and V8. An active exhaust is standard on the four-cylinder model, and this can be further tweaked with a switchable active exhaust on the R-Dynamic trim cars.

Along with the rest of the updated F-Type range, Jaguar’s new 2.0-litre F-Type gets autonomous emergency braking as standard, along with lane departure warning.

The F-Type is the latest Jaguar model to receive another variant of the Ingenium engine. The F-Pace, XF and the XE were all updated for the new model year with new 200hp and 250hp petrol, and 240hp Ingenium engines.

There’s also a 3.0-litre, straight-six Ingenium engine on its way to replace the V6 engines in Jaguar’s line-up in the long term, as well as a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder which is in the pipeline.