Using a nomenclature intended to mark its lineage from and position as belated successor to the classic E-Type, Jaguar’s sultry soft top is the Britsh marque’s first return to the sports car segment since the 1960s E-Type, and so bears the F-Type designation. In between the two, Jaguar’s other sporting models, were the larger XK and XJS grand tourer coupes, while the limited production 1990-92 XJR-15 and 1992-94 XJ220 were, respectively, a road-going racer and an all-out hyper-car. Capturing much of its distant predecessor’s glamour, chic and feel-good fun factor, the F-Type is intended to instill the modern Jaguar brand with such sporting authenticity.
A classy convertible with dynamic finesse, muscular performance and svelte styling, the F-Type has rightfully been associated with a number of beautiful women in the media, and in a contemporary milieu easily lives up to its E-Type predecessor’s enviable and widely acknowledged status as one of the world’s most beautiful automotive designs, ever. With its seductive style and sense of visceral charisma lending it a crucial advantage over most rivals, the Jaguar F-Type convertible — and upcoming fixed-head coupe — may be genuine sports cars, but are luxurious ones aimed at Porsche offerings and are set to soon be joined by a similar Mercedes sports car.
Fast finesse
With an advanced, lightweight bonded and riveted aluminium structure off-setting it’s full complement of luxury and high-tech safety kit, the mid-range F-Type S weighs in reasonably light at 1,614kg. Offered in a choice of three supercharged engines including a range-topping 488BHP V8 S model and two three-litre V6 models including an entry-level 335BHP version, but it is however the 375BHP S version that delivers the most enticing package and best value in terms of handling finesse, adroit weighting and easily exploitable power. In addition to more power and torque, the F-Type S also receives mechanical limited-slip rear-differential and adaptive dampers over the base model.
Tuned to produce 40BHP more than the basic three-litre V6 F-Type from the same engine, the F-Type S belts out 375BHP at 6,500rpm and churns out 339lb/ft or torque throughout a broad 3,500-5,000rpm range. While it’s 4.9-second 0-100km/h performance sits almost smack in the middle of the base model’s 5.3-seconds and the V8 S’ 4.3-seconds, its combined cycle 9.1l/100km fuel consumption and 213g/km carbon dioxide emissions ratings are however only marginally more than the 335BHP F-Type. With less overwhelming power and torque and the limited-slip differential, one can also better use throttle control and the engine’s sensational high rev abilities for more nuanced and delicate on-throttle cornering.
Consistent and urgent
Using a mechanically driven Roots-type supercharger the F-Type S launches with an electrifying responsiveness and pulls and cleanly surges from tick-over to redline that a consistent urgency that turbocharged engine can’t match. With a progressive, ferocious and eager lunge towards its revvy sweet spot, the F-Type S also benefits from broad and muscular mid-range muscle that underwrites power accumulation. With ever-responsive and flexible mid-range pickup, the F-Type S overtakes with an effortless and versatile verve, with 80-120km/h dispatched in just 3.1-seconds. Indefatigable and in the face of wind resistance, the F-Type S pulled hard into high speeds during track driving, and can reach a 275km/h top speed.
More importantly for driving purists, the F-Type S’ smaller and lighter engine slightly reduces both overall weight and front weighting to provide a crisper, tidier and more eager turn-in through sharp and successive corners. Combined with long-legged and consistently progressive power delivery, the F-Type S is fun, predictable and balanced when cornering at the limit, while a limited-slip rear-differential improves cornering traction and lines by distributing power between the driven rear wheels to the one with best traction and better able effectively put it down. An intuitive eight-speed automatic gearbox uses a smooth torque converter for operating lower and quick concise clutches for decisive on-the-move shifts.
B-road balance
The F-Type S also features adaptive suspension rates to make it firmer and more connected on track or smoother and more supple over imperfect textured roads. Well resistant to body flex over Spanish B-roads, the F-Type S felt structurally rigid, while the upcoming F-Type coupe promises even higher rigidity. With mid-front engine, the F-Type S benefits from ideal 50:50 weighting concentrated within the wheelbase owing to wheels being pushed out to corners. With big-footprint stability, sophisticated and firm double wishbone suspension, the F-Type S was poised, taut through the northern Spanish Navarra race circuit, and displayed high grip levels even in lightly drizzling conditions.
Compact and agile, the F-Type was nimble but stable on track, reassuring during high speed driving and settled and buttoned down on vertical rebounds. Using an adaptive hydraulic-assisted steering system for better more textured feel, feedback for grip limits and road, and intuitive weighting rather electric-assistance, the F-Type S quick ratio steering turns eagerly with concise wrist flicks and bites hard into corners. Driven with the top down in cold conditions, the F-Type S’ wind buffeting was minimal, while the al fresco experience allowed one to better appreciate the seductively snarling, popping, crackling, raspy, barking and urgently howling medley when the active exhaust system was engaged.
Seductive style
Closely following the sinewy and dramatic 2011 C-X16 concept, the Jaguar F-Type’s “skin” is taut over its body, with wheels out to the corners for a confident road stance. Toned and athletic, the F-Type S sporty and muscular fascia, with wide honeycomb grille, sharp air splitters and vertical intake gills, is contrasted with a evocative and suggestive Coke-bottle curves, and voluptuous haunches. A slinky low boot with thin wide rear lights adds to the F-Type’s perception of width, while sporty details include side port, bonnet vents and dual central exhaust pipes. A soft-top convertible, the F-Type features a clean and slender silhouette profile.
Tasteful, luxurious and sporting, the F-Type S’ upholstery and paneling are finished with soft textures, real metal accents and plush leathers. Ergonomic and comfortable the F-Type S’ seats keep one firmly in place and along with the sporty steering are highly adjustable. Hunkered down and enveloping, the F-Type’s cabin is sized well, with decent room even with the roof up, while boot space is adequate. Refined and insulate with the roof up, electric roof operation conveniently takes just 12-seconds at up to 50km/h. Mod cons include numerous safety and infotainment systems, including the ability to adjust the F-Type S’ adaptive throttle, gearbox and suspension settings from the infotainment touch-screen.
Specifications
Engine: 3-litre, aluminum block/head, supercharged, V6-cylinders
Bore x stroke: 84.5 x 89mm
Compression ratio: 10.5:1
Valve-train: 24-valve, DOHC, continuously variable valve timing, direct injection
Gearbox: 8-speed ‘Quickshift’ automatic, rear-wheel-drive, 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: 3.31
Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 375 (380) [280] @ 6,500rpm
Specific power: 112BHP/litre
Power -to-weight ratio: 210BHP/ton
Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 339 (460) @ 3,500-5,000rpm
Specific torque: 150.25Nm/litre
Torque-to-weight ratio: 285Nm/ton
0-100 km/h: 4.9-seconds
0-60 mph (97 km/h): 4.8-seconds
80-120km/h: 3.1-seconds
Top speed: 275km/h (electronically governed)
Fuel economy, combined: 9.1-litres/100km
Combined CO2 emissions: 213g/km
Fuel capacity: 72-litres
Length: 4,470mm
Width: 1,923mm
Height: 1,296mm
Wheelbase: 2,622mm
Track, F/R: 1,585 / 1,627mm
Boot capacity: 200.5-litres
Kerb weight: 1,614kg
Weight distribution, F/R: 50% / 50%
Suspension, F&R: Double wishbone, coil springs, dampers, stabilizer bar
Steering: Variable power assistance, hydraulic rack & pinion
Brakes, F/R: Ventilated discs, 354 / 325mm
Tyres, F/R: 245/45R18 / 275/40R18
