Jaguar has today announced that it will be building a new sports car by putting the much-fancied F-Type into production.

Forty years after the classic E-type was unveiled to the world, the birth of the 21st century successor was announced at the Los Angeles motor show.

It first appeared as a concept car at the Detroit Motor Show two years ago, and has been subjected to a rigorous study to see if it is viable.

Eager Jaguar fans will have to wait three years until it comes on to the market.

The F-Type was designed at Jaguar’s centre at Whitley in Coventry. It has not yet been decided where it will be built, but workers at Browns Lane are hoping to get the car.

Jaguar's chairman, Wolfgang Reitzle, said the car would be the firm’s fifth model.

Speaking at the show he said:

"Jaguar is one of the most evocative brands in the world and there is a renewed commitment at Jaguar to create cars that stir people's emotions.

“The overwhelmingly positive reaction across the globe to last year's concept has convinced Jaguar to build an all-new F-Type roadster. 

"Due to the unprecedented growth and intensity of new product development at Jaguar today, it will take us around three years to deliver the F-type roadster program to market.

“While F-Type will embody all the passion and excitement of past Jaguar roadsters such as XK 120 and E-Type, it clearly signals a fresh direction for Jaguar sports cars in the future."

With S-Type sales breaking every record in Jaguar’s history, and the smaller X-Type ready to coming on sale later this year, bosses had to be sure that the car would fit into the firm’s plans.

The F-Type will be smaller and cheaper than the XK Series range of sports cars and it will be part of jaguar’s drive to open up the name to more people.

Jonathan Browning, Jaguar's Managing Director, said:

"The atmosphere at Jaguar today is vibrant, exciting and challenging, as the rate of new product development continues at a dramatic pace.

“Over the next 36 months, Jaguar will launch 15 new or significantly revised products and power trains. F-Type will be the sixteenth.

“From a manufacturer that a mere three years ago had only a two- model line up, this represents a massive investment in design, engineering and manufacturing resource.

“Today, Jaguar is the fastest growing of all car manufacturers, but this growth is being managed very carefully to ensure that we sustain our quality standards and do not over-extend the Jaguar brand."

Ian Callum, Jaguar's director of design, added:

“F-Type represents one of the greatest design challenges in Jaguar history.

“It must capture the spirit, sensuousness and passion of the original concept, reflect Jaguar's future direction and meet real world packaging and performance requirements.

”The challenge is to create a true 21st century successor to the E-type, the icon of the 60s"