Skip advert
Advertisement

New Jaguar F-Type Chequered Flag 2019 review

We hit the road in the special edition Jaguar F-Type Chequered Flag, which arrives as part of the brand’s 2020 MY updates

Overall Auto Express rating

3.5

How we review cars
Find your Jaguar F-Type
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

While the latest sports cars topple the Jaguar F-Type for outright driver appeal, you can’t argue with the British bruiser’s emotional charm. It continues to tug at the heartstrings in a way the clinical Porsche 911 cannot. This Chequered Flag offers little more than an expensive aesthetic upgrade, however, so unless you value the bespoke sills and interior trim, the standard P380 R-Dynamic is a better buy.

Advertisement - Article continues below

 The Jaguar F-Type has always been a left-field choice alongside thoroughbred sports cars like the Porsche 911. What it lacked in outright precision it more than made up for in deep-chested character. 

As the F-Type approaches its sixth birthday, Jaguar has sprinkled its Coupe and Convertible models with a few 2020 MY updates, including parking sensors and cameras across the range, and suspension upgrades to the V8 R.

Best performance cars to buy

In addition, Jaguar has also announced the F-Type Chequered Flag special edition. Production isn’t limited by numbers, but instead cars will be built to order for the duration of the model year. We’re now driving said special for the first time, in rear-wheel drive P380 Coupe guise.

The Chequered Flag badge has been applied to both the 2.0-litre four-cylinder and 3.0-litre V6 models to celebrate 70 years of Jaguar sports cars. The lineage started in 1948 with the legendary XK120 and stretches seven decades through D-Type, E-Type and XK150, as well as the seventies XJ-S and nineties XK8.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Range Rover Evoque

2018 Land Rover

Range Rover Evoque

22,196 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £19,787
View Range Rover Evoque
Corsa

2022 Vauxhall

Corsa

11,970 milesAutomaticPetrol1.2L

Cash £14,700
View Corsa
Puma

2023 Ford

Puma

29,225 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £13,900
View Puma
Golf

2024 Volkswagen

Golf

30,377 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £16,000
View Golf

All F-Type Chequered Flag models feature 20-inch alloy wheels, red brake callipers and an SVO-spec body kit with bespoke badging. Together, it’s enough to give even the entry-level Ingenium models a whiff of flagship V8 style.

Advertisement - Article continues below

At £72,715, our car commands a premium of £5,760 over the equivalent P380 R-Dynamic model, which seems a little steep given the standard car’s generous kit list. There are just three paint colours to choose from, but if you rate the styling tweaks and extra exclusivity, it’s worth a look.

Inside there’s special Windsor leather, contrast stitching and black suede headlining, as well as a red 12 o’clock marker on the steering wheel. There’s some dark aluminium trim on the dash, but otherwise is standard F-Type fare.

That’s no bad thing. Even six years since it launched, the Jag Coupe feels well built inside. The infotainment system is a little laggy – and still lacks Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity – but the way the cabin cocoons around you ensures you’re rarely distracted from the task in hand.

And the F-Type remains a car of unparalleled character – at least in V6 trim. The engine is raucous, and while it can’t match the almost anti-social V8 for noise, the constant underlying burble feels perfectly judged; fizzing away at idle and gargling purposefully around town. Find a piece of open road however and the engine comes alive, screaming to the redline with a soundtrack like no other. It’s addictive. 

A new (or old, for that matter) 911 is sharper to drive; the steering better judged and the chassis more compliant. But that doesn’t mean the F-Type feels aged or misjudged. It’s still a fantastic all-rounder, with an excellent eight-speed automatic gearbox and acceptable motorway refinement. 

We tried our rear-wheel-drive Coupe back-to-back with an all-wheel-drive Convertible, and the difference was night and day. The AWD system makes the F-Type a fantastic all-weather car; where the drop-top gripped with unflappable traction, its fixed-roof sibling displayed a keen propensity to step out with all the driver aids disabled.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Deputy editor

Richard has been part of the team for over a decade. During this time he has covered a huge amount of news and reviews for Auto Express, as well as being the face of Carbuyer and DrivingElectric on Youtube. In his current role as deputy editor, he is now responsible for keeping our content flowing and managing our team of talented writers.

New & used car deals

Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,038 off RRP*Used from £13,157
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £2,474 off RRP*Used from £11,995
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,690Avg. savings £4,685 off RRP*Used from £16,811
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £14,480Avg. savings £1,864 off RRP*Used from £6,700
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports
MST Ford Escort - front 3/4

Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports

While not officially Fords, the MST Mk1 and Mk2 Sports should drive as sharply as they look
News
7 Jul 2025
New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Hot Volkswagen Golf GTI for a cool £287 a month
Volkswagen Golf GTI - front cornering left 1

Car Deal of the Day: Hot Volkswagen Golf GTI for a cool £287 a month

The Golf GTI has been a classic from day one – and it’s our Deal of the Day for 8 July.
News
8 Jul 2025