This is the new FOUR-cylinder Jaguar F-Type

This, ladies and gents, is another Jaguar F-Type. It is a new variant which now means there are now 20 – yes, twenty – engine, transmission and body style permutations of F-Type to choose from.

Why is this one notable? Because it’s the cheapest, starting at £49,900. But it is also the most engine-deficient, with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine powering the rear wheels.

Yes. An engine not unlike one you’ll find in rep-spec XE saloons now powers Jag’s coupe and roadster. Thought the F-Type rivalled the 911? Well now it’s going for the newly four-cylinder Boxster and Cayman, too.

You want stats, naturally. With the aid of a turbocharger – a break from every other, supercharged F-Type – peak power is 295bhp, and peak torque a neatly matching 295lb ft. Those are 40bhp and 37lb ft deficits on the near-£2,500 pricier F-Type V6 340PS, the old entry point to F ownership. This car supplements the V6, it must be noted, and doesn't replace it.

The four-cylinder's top speed is 155mph (down 7mph) and the 0-62mph time 5.4secs (up a mere 0.1sec). But perhaps the most relevant stats are its considerably more worthy 39.2mpg and 163g/km of CO2 emissions, the latter knocking the F down a couple of tax bands. Though given the recent change in rules, you’re still going to be paying £450 a year…

Downsizing to a 2.0-litre engine has saved 52kg around the front axle, though. The result, promises Jaguar, is “greater steering response, body control and ride comfort.” It goes as far as saying this is the “feisty younger brother of the V6 and V8 models.” Given they’re fairly predisposed to feistiness themselves, this intrigues us greatly.

The new four-cylinder comes only with rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox. And we’re promised a proper soundtrack via an active exhaust system. Given how, um, LOUD the V6s and V8s are, we’re also greatly intrigued at how shouty this skinnier engine version will be.

Indeed, the whole thing is intriguing. Given Porsche’s attempts at four-cylinder turbo sports cars haven’t been welcomed with open arms, does a Jaguar with a similar power source stand a chance?

Namely, would you trade a couple of cylinders and a supercharger for a slightly cheaper entry price and a few more miles per gallon? Tell us below, please…