Fast cat is a class act

Sportier and arguably even better looking than its convertible sister launched last year, this year’s Jaguar F-Type Coupe is a classy, quick and beguilingly beautiful two-seat sports car that consolidates the resurgent British brand’s sporting credentials.

Though smaller and more focused than the outgoing Jaguar XK, the F-Type is for all intents and purposes its effective successor as the brand’s only current two-door offering. Designed to define the brand’s sporting character by evoking past glory and showcasing new talent, the F-Type harks back to the iconic 1960s E-Type.

The F-Type’s influence and Jaguar more sporting aspirations are already permeating throughout the brand’s other offerings and the establishment of a dedicated Special Vehicles Operations, performance division.

Instant responses

Apart from the 567BHP limited edition Project 7 modified convertible variant introduced at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance motoring event last week, the F-Type R Coupe is the most powerful regular production version of Jaguar’s shapely sports car. Powered by a more powerful version of Jaguar’s charismatically muscular supercharged 5-litre direct injection V8 engine the F-Type R Coupe develops 542BHP at 6,500rpm and 502lb/ft torque at 3,500rpm, compared to its convertible F-Type V8 S sister’s 488BHP at 6,500rpm and 460lb/ft throughout 2,500-5,500rpm.

Fifteen kilogrammes lighter, the F-Type R Coupe 4.2-second 0-100km/h performance also improves upon the drophead version’s by 0.1-seconds, but without sacrificing the shared 11.1l/100km combined fuel efficiency or 259g/km CO₂ emissions ratings.

However, more important than its impressive headline performance statistics is how the F-Type R Coupe delivers them. With a Roots-type mechanically-driven supercharger ensuring the R Coupe delivers instantaneous response and boost from standstill, and continues consistently throughout its rev range, unlike the low-end lag, shorter sweet spot and lower rev limit often associated with exhaust-driven turbochargers.

Vigorously pouncing off-the-line, the R Coupe pulls hard all the way to it’s redline, with a vast and ever-muscularly generous helping of torque to underwrite its volcanic power accumulation. Viciously swift in high revs, the R Coupe benefits from effortlessly versatile mid-range delivery, including 2.4-second 80-120km/h acceleration, which in the real world ensures confidently quick and flexible in-gear overtaking manoeuvres.

Sure-footed

With active exhaust system engaged, the F-Type R Coupe’s thundering and urgent bass-rich V8 growls were amplified for a more evocatively vocal experience as it ferociously accumulated speed on the Motorland race circuit or leaped ahead of slower-moving highway traffic en route to Leida-Alguaire airport in the Spanish Catalan region.

Delivering the R Coupe’s lusty power to its driven rear wheels is an 8-speed automatic gearbox, with a conventional torque converter for seamlessly silky first and second gear shifts. Benefitting from the best that automatic and sequential gearboxes have to offer, the R Coupe’s closely-spaced 8-speed gearbox is snappily concise in the gearbox’ most focused setting and most satisfying when using the steering-mounted manual paddle-shifters.

Channelling its prodigious power through an electronic limited slip rear differential, the R Coupe reapportions power to the driven wheel best able to put down, and was especially useful during wet weather track driving, where one had to smoothly and carefully dial in power when exiting corners to not unstuck the rear tyres.

Additionally, a brake-based torque vectoring system enhances the R Coupe agility through tight and winding routes by preventing wheel-spin, while traction and stability control systems proved un-intrusive yet effective. Powerful 380mm front and 376mm rear ventilated disc brakes are hugely effective, but for track use, optional carbon ceramic 398mm front and 380mm rear brakes offer consistent fade-free performance, and reduces un-sprung weight by 21kg.

Sophisticated agility

A classy and classically-inspired front-engine rear-drive sports car, the fixed-head roof F-Type benefits from added body rigidity over its ragtop sister, which translates to enhanced ride refinement and handling precision. Stable, smooth and planted at speed, the 300km/h-capable R Coupe is a comfortable long-distance companion. Contrary to expectation, it felt more comfortable in its firmer suspension setting over choppy roads, while its comfort-oriented mode was ideal for a more relaxed pace and in city driving.

Riding on sophisticated double wishbone suspension with active dampers, the R Coupe alternatively firms up for fast cornering manoeuvres and becomes more forgiving on straight roads, while variable hydraulic steering assistance delivers more intuitive steering feel and feedback that an electric-assisted system.

With a flick of its quick and beefy steering, the R Coupe turns crisply into a corner, and well-suppressing body lean and weight transfer. Coming back on throttle by apex, the R Coupe digs its sticky 295/30R20 rear tyres into the tarmac, unleashes its vast reserves and bolts onto the straight.

Developing enormously tenacious rear grip in dry weather, the muscular R Coupe however needs to be finessed in the wet. With perfect weight distribution and big footprint, the F-Type is reassuring through fast sweepers and agile through winding switchbacks, while at-the-limit handling is predictable, controllable and progressive. Tidy, alert and stable, the sure-footed F-Type feels buttoned down through corners and on rebound from crests and dips.

Shapely and refined

With shapely aluminium body pulled tight over its stiff and lightweight bonded and riveted frame, the F-Type Coupe is the aesthetically little-altered from the stunning 2011 Jaguar C-X16 concept. Designed with a holistic fluency and three-dimensionality, the F-Type looks right from any angle.

With broad wire-mesh grille and predatory side intake gills leading to a long bonnet stretched over its front-mid engine, the F-Type Coupe’s lines trail to voluptuous Coke-bottle hips and broad shoulders. The F-Type Coupe’s roofline descends dramatically to its fastback rear hatch.

Slim rear lights accentuate its width, while side ports and quad exhausts and massive optional 20-inch alloys underline athletic posture. Additionally, a small rear spoiler rises at speed to increase aerodynamic down-force.

Elegant yet sporty, the F-Type Coupe’s cabin is luxuriously appointed and refined. Finished with red stitched quality leather upholstery, gorgeous suede roof liner and real metal and carbon fibre trim, the Coupe’s classy cabin also features chunky flat-bottom steering wheel, and driver-focused and user-friendly instrumentation.

Well-spaced and accessible, the F-Type’s seats and steering are highly adjustable, comfortable and supportive, while 407-litre boot space is generous for this segment. Adjustable headrest would be a welcome addition, while an automatic tailgate is practical, but perhaps unnecessary for a sports car.

Safety equipment and gadgets are plenty and include touchscreen unit — with access to adjustable dynamic driving modes — reversing camera, blind spot warnings and electronic brake-force distribution, among others.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 5-litre, aluminium block/head, supercharged, V8-cylinders

Bore x stroke: 92.5 x 93mm

Compression ratio: 9.5:1

Valve-train: 32-valve, DOHC, continuously variable valve timing, direct injection

Gearbox: 8-speed automatic, rear-wheel-drive, electronic limited-slip differential

Ratios: 1st 4.714; 2nd 3.143; 3rd 2.106; 4th 1.667; 5th 1.285; 6th 1.0; 7th 0.839; 8th 0.667

Final drive: 2.56:1

Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 542 (550) [404.5] @ 6,500rpm

Specific power: 108.4BHP/litre

Power -to-weight ratio: 328.5BHP/tonne

Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 502 (680) @ 3,500rpm

Specific torque: 136Nm/litre

Torque-to-weight ratio: 412Nm/tonne

0-100 km/h: 4.2-seconds

80-120km/h: 2.4-seconds

Top speed: 300km/h (electronically governed)

Fuel economy, combined: 11.1-litres/100km

Combined CO₂ emissions: 259g/km

Fuel capacity: 72-litres

Length: 4,470mm

Width: 1,923mm

Height: 1321mm

Wheelbase: 2,622mm

Track, F/R: 1,586/1,628mm

Boot capacity: 407-litres

Kerb weight: 1,650kg

Suspension: Double wishbones, coil springs, active dampers, stabiliser bars

Steering: Variable power assistance, hydraulic rack & pinion

Brakes, F/R: Ventilated discs, 380/376mm

Tyres, F/R: 255/35R20/295/30R20