Jaguar’s new F-Type presents buyers with an interesting proposition. Due to a variety of engine options ranging from naturally aspirated V-6s to supercharged V-8s, Jaguar has been able to stagger pricing of its F-Type so that it competes against a much wider variety of models than it could have had it come with only one powerplant.

At the F-Type’s entry point, you’re looking at a starting price of $69,000 and 340 horsepower from a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6.

At this price and performance level, the F-Type could be considered as an alternative to sporty and somewhat stylish convertibles such as the Porsche Boxster S, Mercedes-Benz SLK350 and perhaps even Jaguar’s own XK Convertible.

Excluding the XK, the aforementioned rivals are slightly cheaper than the F-Type, though load up on some options and you could easily reach the F-Type’s $69,000 starting price.

The BMW Z4 is closer in size and mission, but doesn't have the heritage of the Jaguar roadster--and both it and the Mercedes-Benz SLK350 have retractable hardtop roofs, as opposed to the soft-top roofs of the F-Type, XK Convertible and Porsche Boxster S.

All told, the 315-horsepower Boxster S may end up being the F-Type's closest competitor; it's mid-engined, but has a folding fabric roof, seats two, and can be--loosely--linked to Porsche’s original 550 Spyder.

Opt for the 380-horsepower F-Type S at $81,000, and the XK Convertible suddenly becomes a direct rival, as do a number of other cars including entry-level versions of the Porsche 911. Like the F-Type, which draws its heritage from the legendary E-Type before it, the latest 911 has a long list of predecessors to draw inspiration from.

2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet

2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet

The 350-horsepower rating of the entry-level 911 Carrera makes it directly comparable with the F-Type S. It should probably come as little surprise then, that the difference between the price of an F-Type S and 911 Carrera is just a grand.

Keep moving up the ladder and you arrive at the performance-oriented F-Type V8 S. Now the stakes are getting serious.

This model makes a stout 495 horsepower, which is encroaching on supercar levels. However, pricing starts at a reasonable $92,000. This makes the F-Type V8 S a performance bargain against similarly priced yet less powerful rivals such as the 400-horsepower 911 Carrera S, which lists at $96,400, and the 430-horsepower Aston Martin V8 Vantage, which starts at roughly $120k.

As you may have noticed, Jaguar’s new F-Type in its performance guises undercuts much of the competition in price but offers more in output. We still haven’t driven the F-Type so can’t comment on its overall performance just yet, but the stats do look promising.

For an in-depth look at the 2014 Jaguar F-Type, check out the full preview over at The Car Connection, and don’t forget to look back over our 30 Days Of F-Type coverage.

2013 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S

2013 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S