I have always said that Jaguar has been absent for far too long when it came to a real two seated sports car.
The last time we saw this was in the form of the E-Type, and the last one ever made finished back in 1975. So, it was about time that Jaguar once again proved that it can make another great two seated sports car.
Well I am happy to say, that it has done just that, in the form of the new F Type. The Jaguar F-Type is a two-seat sports car with staggering head turning looks that oozes desirability.
The F-Type looks every bit as exciting as I would expect a sports car to look in a modern world – and it easily has one of the most beautifully detailed body lines that I have ever seen. You can forget your retro Porsche’s and your sleek Ferrari’s, the F Type makes them all look like the ugly duckling, while the F Type is roaming around on the lake being the beautiful Swan.
I have to admit, that I was a little worried at first, that Jaguar was trying to follow up from one of it’s most famous sports cars of all time in the E Type, a difficult act to follow even for Jaguar, but somehow, they have managed to do this with such brilliance, that its puts Aston Martin to shame.
So, what’s it like to drive?
A joy to drive is what it is. The steering is taunt and accurate, and it makes you feel like you are in control, whatever situation unfolds. The chassis is excellent and it’s very impressive in the corners and the twisty stuff, while it’s grip levels are so high, its borderline insane. The F-Type is also poised, agile and a very engaging drive.
Inside and out:
The F-TYPE I was testing was equipped with a modern, lightweight soft top that, when lowered, serves as its own tonneau cover. This not only provides considerable weight savings – but also contributes to the car’s low centre of gravity. The top can also be fully raised or lowered in just 12 seconds at speeds of up to 30 mph.
I also like the hidden, automatically deploying door handles that remain flush with the door panel until activated by unlocking the car with the key fob.
The F Type has full LED rear lamps that give it its own unique signature by reinterpreting classic E Type cues from the past – and moving it right into the future. By just looking at the back of this car, you will instantly know it’s the F Type. I also like the twin centre exhaust outlet fitted to the V6 models. This is also a classic nod to the Jaguar E-TYPE introduced in 1961.
Performance:
The F-TYPE showcases a 3-liter supercharged V6 with 340hp and 380hp, and the 5-liter supercharged V8 in the F-TYPE V8 S has 495hp. They are all are equipped with Intelligent Stop/Start system to enhance fuel economy – but I can’t see why Jaguar has done this – because you will buy the F Type because it’s a car for the real driver, not because it can save you a few pence at the pump.
The 340hp version of the supercharged V6, which I had on test, produces 332 ft-lbs of torque. The 380hp version, exclusive to the F-TYPE, produces 339 ft-lbs of torque. The V8 produces an even broader torque curve, with 460 ft-lbs.
The 340hp V6 model can accelerate from zero-to-60 mph in 5.1 seconds (0-100km/h in 5.3 seconds). The 380hp S model lowers that to 4.8 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds), and the V8 S can hit 60 mph from rest in just 4.2 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds). All F Type’s have electronically limited maximum speeds, which are 161 mph (260 km/h), 171 mph (275 km/h) and 186 mph (300 km/h), respectively, for the V6, V6 S and V8 S models.
On the inside
The F-TYPE’s cabin layout is just like all Jaguars’ – perfect!!! Jaguar has always focused on the driver, and what they have done on the inside of the F Type is nothing short of epic. For instance, a grab handle that glides down the center console on the passenger side – delineating it from the driver’s position and wrapping around the center console is such a brilliant bit of interior design.
There are further details to be found in the exterior trim. The F-TYPE V6 model is marked by satin black trim elements in the grilles, vents, front splitter and rear valance.
The seats inside the F Type feature power recline and height adjustment and performance seats can be ordered with additional side bolstering for greater support during high-force cornering.
The F-TYPE is available with two audio systems from premium British audio experts Meridian™. These offer either 10 or 12 speakers with outputs of 380 watts and 770 watts, respectively.
To sum up:
Brilliant, epic – but really it’s just plain brilliant!
Would I buy one? YES… if I could afford it….
Price: £58,520 OTR
Top speed: 161mph
0-62mph: 5.1sec
Engine: 3.0 V6 Petrol
Power: 340ps at 6,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm
Gearbox: 9-speed Quickshift By Anthony Yates
