The new F-Type is the sportiest and most driver-focussed vehicle to come out of the Jaguar factory since the legendary E-Type of the ’60s and rabid XJ220 supercar of the mid-’90s. The V6 supercharged version you see here may not be as angry as the range-topping V8 S but it is as vicious and every bit as capable as its contemporary German rivals. Of course, no sports car evaluation can be considered a true test of speed and handling if a spiralling stretch of asphalt isn’t included in the itinerary. So we headed to the southernmost tip of the Cape peninsula, home to some of SA’s most pristine coastal rollercoaster drives, to test the F-Type’s performance and dynamics as well as to ascertain whether it can rekindle the tenets and emotion that first made this brand such an iconic automaker.
Body armour
At first glance our Rhodium Silver F-Type appears much bigger than the pictures suggest. At 4470mm long and 1923mm wide it’s a pretty burly and solid-looking chunk of metal but not in a negative sense. It looks proper – athletic yet lithe enough to cut through the air like a shark through water. Speaking of sharks, the F-Type bears an uncanny resemblance to the aquatic predator, especially from the front, where a collection of slatted air inlets, a sculpted clamshell bonnet and open-mouth grille impart a rather aggressive appearance. Aggressive too are the muscular haunches that house massive 295-section 20-inch wheels, but it’s only once you view it from a three-quarter angle that you truly appreciate its classical physique. Some touches echo the immortal E-Type, such as the centrally-arranged dual exhaust outlets and sleek tail-lamp design. So now that we’ve established it’s a beautiful car from the outside, what’s it like when you step over the sills and climb in to the driving seat?
In the driving seat
Once inside you’re surrounded by a non-intimidating, driver-focused cabin that’s been treated to just the right mix of luxury, style and charisma. While it lacks the tactile refinement and fit and finish of the rivalling Germans, everything has been tailored with the driver in mind. Position yourself in the cosseting racing bucket seat, clasp the thick-rimmed steering wheel and you feel as if you’re sitting only millimetres off the road surface – an illusion created by the high waistline of the doors. The instrumentation is clearly marked and laid out with all the important items such as the exhaust note amplifier, rear spoiler, roof and drive mode buttons residing nearby on the transmission tunnel. You’ll also notice the F-Type uses a joystick-style gear selector instead of the rotary dial we’ve become accustomed to in recent Jaguars. The interior, however, isn’t perfect and there are a few bugbears, one of which is the dull monochromatic palette. Why Jaguar didn’t option it with contrasting leather and trim I don’t know, but thankfully the copper-coloured engine start button, drive mode toggle and paddle shifters do add some colour variation. The other issue is the lack of luggage space. As a sports car, the F-Type is naturally not a very practical machine so there aren’t any rear seats, and the boot – rated at 193 litres – is more of a letter box than a bona fide storage area.
The rocketship experience
A longitudinally- mounted V6 rests up front and drives the rear wheels through an eight-speed ZF automatic ’box. This isn’t just any V6 however – this one is breathed upon by a Roots-type twin Vortex supercharger that helps pump out an impressive 280kW and 460Nm of torque. Not huge numbers by today’s performance car standards, but the broad spread of torque available between 3500-5000rpm supplies a linear, almost naturally aspirated-like power delivery. The 3.0-litre V6 delivers the perfect balance between power, torque and emotion so chasing the vanishing point of the distant horizon is a rather simple exercise. Zero to 100kph takes just 5.04secs, the quarter-mile 13.39 and the top speed is pegged at 275kph. Aah, but just how good is the ZF transmission I hear you say? The answer: faultless. Who needs a double-clutcher when a quick-shifting torque converter – when mapped correctly – can provide up-changes and intuitive downshifts as effectively as this transmission? Stopping power is just as impressive as the performance figures, the F-Type needing only 37m and 2.7secs to come to a complete stop from 100kph. But what’s a Jaguar sports car without the ominous soundtrack to match? The V6 S is far louder than I expected. Even louder when you fold away the roof – it growls and cusses as you pin the gas and explodes into a Travis Barker-like drum solo on the overrun. Press the sports exhaust button, place the transmission in manual with Dynamic mode selected and the F-Type transforms into a sonic mortar, shooting mechanical profanities from its centrally arranged double-barrel exhaust system with every change of gear. It’s freakin’ awesome.
Through the twists and turns
After treating the locals to a mechanical concert, my first chance to test the F-Type’s handling abilities avails itself in the form of Red Hill road, just above Simon’s Town. The car feels right at home in such a curvaceous environment. With Dynamic selected the throttle becomes sharper, the steering weightier, the shifts quicker, the adaptive dampers firmer and the electronic nanny’s safety grip a little looser. Tuck it into a corner and the first thing you’ll notice is the F-Type’s steering. It’s a touch on the light side but is direct and responsive. It turns in accurately thanks to the 50:50 weight distribution, reinforced underpinnings and a pukka mechanical limited-slip differential, which allows you to lean on the car’s huge reserves of grip as it marshals torque across the rear axle. It’s all very confidence inspiring and you quickly forget you’re driving a drop-top vehicle such is its stability and roadholding prowess. That said, it’s not always point-and-shoot – get too enthusiastic with the throttle pedal and things can go awry. Surprisingly, the ride quality hasn’t been compromised by the double wishbone suspension arrangement, firm damping and big wheels. It’s actually pretty good, and while bumpier surfaces do permeate the cabin, the overall ride quality is impressive for a vehicle of this calibre.
Decision time
The Jaguar F-Type is one of the most entertaining drives of 2013. In fact, it’s difficult to drive it without smiling, banging through the gears and reveling in its ballistic soundtrack – but it’s not perfect. Yes, it’s quick in a straight line and the chassis follows every flick of the steering wheel, but compared with the likes of the Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet et al, it’s clear that the F-Type lacks the clinical approach, dynamic finesse and tactile interior polish of the Germans. But let’s not forget it’s been over 50 years since Jaguar last built a proper sports car. The opposition will be well aware of the threat the F-Type poses not only at present but going forward, particularly since the V6 S one of the most affordable sports cars around. Price tags aside, it’s going to come down to preference of use – if you want a precision scalpel buy a 911or an Audi R8 V8; if you want a double-serrated battle axe infused with emotion and sonic mayhem, buy the F-Type. Simple…
Aaron Borrill
Gear Pressure with Aaron Borrill 