JAGUAR F-TYPE REVIEW

The words “Jaguar” and “sport” have gone hand and hand from the earliest days of the British marque since its inception in 1935. Some are saloons, others are wagons, even SUVs – but this week we’ve enjoyed being behind the wheel of the purest of them all the F-Type.

Jaguar F-Type is made almost entirely from aluminium to keep its weight down. This material isn’t easy to work with, but Jaguar has been using it for many years now and arguably does it better than any other automotive company.

STYLING
Everyone we spoke to during our excellent week with the Jaguar F-Type wanted to compare it the iconic Jaguar E-Type, arguably one of the greatest automotive shapes of all time. The F-Type’s large ‘mouth’ grille, long bonnet with a centre bulge and cooling ducts certainly work beautifully.

INTERIOR
There’s a lovely old style dashboard with speedo and tacho. Centre display is extensive and easy to read at a glance, almost wraparound at the edges of the dashboard which gives it a feeling of space.

We really like the ‘proper’ gearshift, it’s much better than that strange circular thing rising from the depths on other recent Jags.

The grab handle on the passenger side is there to let you know you’ve got the occupant of that seat’s attention.

Seats have a sporty look as do the door inserts. All-in-all it’s a most pleasant place to be.

INFOTAINMENT
An easy-to-use touchscreen provides works by way of an array of menus that are never too far away from the opening menu pages. The Jaguar Land Rover system is starting to feel its age and is not the easiest to use. However, there’s a new F-Type coming and it will presumably have a new system.

ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
The new F-Type R 5.0-litre supercharged V8 now generates 423 kW at 6500rpm and 700 Nm of torque at 2500 revs; increases of 18 kW and 20 Nm compared to the outgoing model. It’s mated to a recalibrated Jaguar Quickshift eight-speed automatic.

SAFETY
The inherent handling and braking of the Jaguar F-Type provide a lot of assistance to the driver to keep from crashing.

Many driver assist features are used; including Blind-spot Assist, Rear Traffic Monitor, Lane Keep Assist, and a Rear Camera.

Should all else fail it has a full complement of features that do their best to minimise occupant injury.

DRIVING
This Jaguar is strictly a two-seater and the cabin is relatively short. I’m tall in the body but about average in leg length. Setting the driver’s seat back was restricted and I would have preferred a little more. Legroom is fine for me but check for yourself if you’re built like an AFL player

The engine starts with an enthusiastic bark as it revs itself before settling back to a fast idle. Throttle responses are all but instantaneous thanks to the use of a supercharger instead of a turbocharger.

This made instant engine response made it easy to play with the Jag around bends on our all-time favourite hilly driving routes behind our home on the Gold Coast.

Huge ventilated front and rear brake discs haul off speed very quickly and at not time during our on-road testing did they show any sign of fading.

Fuel consumption isn’t generally a concern with buyers of vehicles like this hot Jag, but it does indicate how efficient the engine is. We averaged 11.5 litres per hundred kilometres during the week, with figures coming under eight litres per 100 during easy running on motorways.

SUMMING UP
Jaguar F-Type R looks stunning, goes hard, corners brilliantly and is a delight to live with. Can’t wait to get ourselves into the driving seat of the all-new model when arrives later in the year.

AT A GLANCE (2020 MODEL)

MODEL RANGE
2.0 R-Dynamic RWD 2.0-litre petrol two-door coupe: $126,400 (automatic)
V6 R-Dynamic RWD 3.0-litre petrol supercharged two-door coupe: $173,100 (automatic)
V6 First Edition RWD 3.0-litre supercharged petrol two-door coupe: $205,300 (automatic)
V8 R AWD 5.0-litre supercharged petrol two-door coupe: $263,300 (automatic)
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Jaguar dealer for drive-away prices.

SPECIFICATIONS (Jaguar F-Type V8 R AWD 5.0-litre supercharged petrol two-door coupe)

ENGINE:
Capacity: 5.000 litres
Configuration: Supercharged V8
Maximum Power: 423 kW @ 6500 rpm
Maximum Torque: 700 Nm @ 2500 rpm
Fuel Type: Premium unleaded petrol
Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 11.3 L/100km
CO2 Emissions: 269 g/km

DRIVELINE: Eight-speed automatic

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4470 mm
Wheelbase: 2622 mm
Width: 1923 mm
Height: 1321 mm
Turning Circle: 10.7 metres
Kerb Mass: 1705 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 70 litres

BRAKES:
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Ventilated disc

STANDARD WARRANTY:
Five years / unlimited kilometres