Finally in 2013 the long-awaited successor to the iconic Jaguar E-Type arrived, named – of course – the F-Type. With drop-dead gorgeous looks penned by designer Ian Callum, it would undoubtedly sell on style alone. But, this wouldn’t do for Jaguar, or driving enthusiasts.
Instead, the brand has the Porsche Boxster and 911 Cabriolet firmly in its sights, so has had to make its latest model better in every respect. Quality, handling and comfort have all been honed and the result is a very special car.
First came the convertible and now comes the coupe, and Jaguar seems to be purring all of a sudden with this version of the F-Type model. Is it better than the convertible? Yes, both to drive and to look at.
The design wizardry has really come to the fore with this model and it looks especially striking in red with chrome trim or in white with a panoramic roof.
If this car had come out of Maranello, purists would be falling over themselves. Design guru Ian Callum and his able deputy Al Whelan, take a bow gentlemen, you have produced the most stunning car ever to leave a Jaguar plant in the last 30 odd years.
Performance
In a word: epic. We drove the mid-range model on test; the rear-wheel drive F-Type S Coupe. This is powered by a supercharged 3.0-litre V6 producing 374bhp, mated to a smooth eight-speed semi-automatic 'Quickshift' gearbox. For greater driver interaction, when in manual mode, there are paddle-shifters located behind the steering wheel. Always a nice touch. There is also a 336bhp version of the 3.0-litre V6 available.
Step on the accelerator of the 374bhp derivative and the car is blisteringly quick, making short work of the benchmark sprint by completing it in 4.8 seconds, while it can hit a top speed of 171mph.
If you want a toy, this is not a bad start. However the flagship R is even more potent, completing the benchmark sprint in just 4.2 seconds. Porsche you have been warned…
Ride and Handling
If you want a comfortable ride then open the 'Dynamic I' menu on the touchscreen and make sure the suspension settings are set to 'Normal'.
This car is faster, sharper to drive and much stiffer than the convertible. In fact, Jaguar claims that the torsional rigidity has been improved by 80 per cent. This makes the car handle even better than the convertible. The chassis is top class while the all-aluminium shell makes the F-Type feel light on its paws. If you want a comfortable ride then open the 'Dynamic I' menu on the touchscreen and make sure the suspension settings are set to 'Normal'. However, if driving enthusiastically, then make sure the car is in full 'Dynamic' mode by flicking the toggle switch to its chequered flag settting. The steering weights up nicely, the throttle sharpens and the note of the exhaust gets a little more raucous – on downshifts its burbles and pops are very pleasing. If you prefer not to have this type of music filtering through the cabin then you can switch the exhaust note down with another button located on the central console. Ultimately, the F-type Coupe is a proper driver’s car, however the R is even better set-up than the S model.
Interior and Equipment
The Jaguar F-Type R Coupe is the hottest F-Type available, producing a massive 542bhp thanks to a supercharged V8 petrol engine.
If you are after an F-Type Coupe then chances are you are not going to get the entry level model. But, just so you know, every F-Type model gets DAB digital radio, sat-nav, Bluetooth and parking sensors – amongst many other features. Go for the mid-range model we tested you get an Active Sports exhaust, sports suspension with Adaptive Dynamics, 20-inch wheels, suede cloth sports seats and a leather steering wheel, stop/start system to keep emissions low, and a choice of three audio systems with either ten or 12 speakers. If you feel like customising the F-Type a little and you can opt for the ceramic brakes, advisable if you drive enthusiastically as they are tangibly better than the standard brakes. Coupes are not known for their practicality but this Jag is spacious. The brand is calling it a 1+1 - there are two seats up front with no fiddly +1 offerings in the rear. Space inside the car is actually quite good while the F-Type Coupe offers a load space of 407 litres, which is more than a Porsche 911, easily swallowing two sets of golf clubs or a couple of cases for a long weekend away.
Cost
When it comes to price, again you are unlikely to go for the entry level F-Type, but if you do, it is cheaper than all models in the Porsche 911 range.
The rear-wheel drive F-Type S Coupe 3.0-litre Supercharged V6 we tested averages around 31mpg and emits 213g/km of CO2 thanks to the lightweight structure and stop/start technology. For the majority of buyers, this is going to be a second or third car bought to enjoy at weekends but, nonetheless, the running costs are competitive. When it comes to price, again you are unlikely to go for the entry level F-Type, but if you do, it is cheaper than all models in the Porsche 911 range. In fact, you will have to reach about halfway through the F-Type range to even come close to the price of an entry level 911. So in the grand scheme of things, the F-Type is actually very affordable.
Our Verdict
The F-Type Coupe has arrived. It will take conquest sales from other marques and, in our eyes, this car has every chance of being a future classic – it might even be classed as better than the E-Type - Jaguar’s most iconic car in its history. It's a bold statement, but this Coupe has all the charm, class and driving dynamics to do so. Also, as mentioned above, its price massively undercuts its key Porsche 911 rival – quite surprising when you consider how much fun you can actually have in an F-Type. Final words? The F-Type Coupe is absolutely brilliant.