Jaguar F-Type V6S
It’s the most exciting new Jaguar in years, and we hit the road see if it lives up to the legend
Expectations for the new Jaguar F-Type were sky-high – and the good news is it doesn’t disappoint. Not only is it great to look at, it’s fantastic to drive and delivers blistering performance. On top of that, its luxurious cabin is comfortable, beautifully finished and packed with desirable kit. As a result, the F-Type V6S is one of the best sports cars money can buy.
Nearly 40 years have passed since the last E-Type rolled down the production line at the Browns Lane plant in Coventry, so expectations for its spiritual successor are high. And given the E-Type’s legendary status, the F-Type is a car Jaguar had to get right.
Not least how it looked. At launch, Enzo Ferrari famously described the E-Type as “the most beautiful car ever made”. Following this was no easy task for the designers.
Yet the newcomer looks as good as you’d expect a Jaguar sports car to be. Its taut lines, sporty proportions and stylish detailing are thoroughly modern and deliver the desirability factor needed to make a good first impression.
The vertically stacked headlights feature smart LED running lights, while the black bonnet vents and gaping grille hint at the car’s potential. There are also some subtle nods to the E-Type, including the distinctive tail-lamps, the steeply raked underside of the rear bumper and the centre-exit twin exhausts.
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Cash £22,799There’s nothing old-fashioned about the driver-focused cabin, though. It has a perfect driving position and excellent visibility, while a large grab handle sweeping down from the dash separates the passenger from the action and helps the driver focus on the tactile controls and smart dials.
The well insulated fabric roof folds in just 12 seconds and stores neatly behind the fixed roll hoops. Our test model was equipped with the £250 optional wind deflector, which helps reduce buffeting when the hood is stowed.
The materials and build quality are first-rate throughout, while the controls are logically grouped together. Adding to the drama of the interior are central air vents that rise serenely from the top of the dash when the air-con senses it’s too cold or warm.
But as in other Jaguar Land Rover products, the central touchscreen is dated and fiddly to use, while rival premium cars have smarter mapping and resolution.
And there’s no ignoring the cramped 196-litre boot, which is rendered almost useless for luggage if you specify the optional spacer saver spare wheel.
These niggles aside, the F-Type cabin feels very special – but it’s once you press the gold-coloured start button that the Jaguar really starts to invigorate your senses.
It’s the noise that hits you first. Our V6S test car gets the active exhaust system that automatically opens noise-reducing baffles at 3,000rpm to give an intoxicating soundtrack which is every bit as evocative as the E-Type’s. Select the Dynamic mode, which also adjusts the throttle, steering and suspension for a sharper driving experience, and the exhaust baffles stay open throughout the rev range.
Fortunately, the F-Type has the bite to go with its bark. The supercharged 3.0-litre engine delivers 375bhp, allowing the car to blast from 0-60mph in only 4.6 seconds. And the eight-speed automatic gearbox is a joy to use, operating smoothly in auto mode and serving up crisp manual changes via the slightly tacky looking gold-finished steering wheel paddles. Plus, Jaguar has fitted its fastest-ever steering rack, allowing the F-Type to dart into corners with incredible agility.
Better still, the steering is well weighted and bursting with useful feedback. Grip and body control are excellent, while the beautifully balanced handling is progressive and adjustable. The F-Type also does a fine impression of a grand tourer, with adaptive dampers giving a remarkably composed ride.
At £67,520, this new Jaguar isn’t cheap, but not many sports cars can match it for visual drama and driving thrills. And in that sense, the F-Type really is a worthy successor to the fabulous E-Type.
