The Jaguar F-Type comes as something of a surprise. Back in the fifties and sixties, Jaguar pretty much dominated the sports car sector, with their classic C,D and E-Type models brimming with style and speed. They were the Porsche Boxster and 911’s of their day. But they faded away, with the British brand focusing more on luxurious cars, such as the elegant G2 models.
Now, with the arrival of the Jaguar F-Type Coupe, the brand claim they have created the perfect mix of a top sports car and a super car. For them, it’s the Austin Healy of the modern era, a contemporary interpretation of the E-Type. It’s meant to represent a real challenge to Porsche’s dominance in a fairly niche sports market. The British company want people to buy the Jaguar F-Type for the same reason they buy the Boxster’s and the 911’s. Will this actually happen? Let’s find out.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[vc_single_image image=”46171″ img_size=”article-image”]
Need For Speed
We’d all be lying if we said the reason we purchase top sports cars or super cars has little to do with the blood pumping speeds they reach. If we denied that we indulge in them to give ourselves a shot of adrenaline, a thrill akin to riding a roller coaster, we’d be fibbing, lying to ourselves as much as anyone else. Happily, this Jaguar F-Type offers the speed, the power, the performance – in other words, the thrill, the adrenaline, the blood sprinting rampantly throughout our body.
Making use the optional active exhaust system sets the tone; it veritably explodes as you race out of the traps, creating a roar so satisfying that your neighbours will probably try to complain but won’t see you for dust. The entry level new Jaguar F-Type 340 PS V6 model gets to 60mph from rest in 5.1 seconds on the way to 161mph. More cash will get you the dynamic launch mode, which lends itself to a 3.0 unit 380 PS variant that roars to 60mph in just 4.8 seconds en route to a satisfying 171mph.
Before all this though, the Jaguar F-Type gets your blood pumping before you even fire her up. It just looks the part, with its door handles automatically springing open on your arrival, and the figure hugging seats angling you towards the 3 spoked leather trimmed steering wheel that is embellished with copper coloured paddle shifters. All that’s left is to rev the engine, starting the fireworks. Lower the fabric roof in just 12 seconds and you’re away, striding the roads with command and presence.[vc_single_image image=”46172″ img_size=”article-image”]
Looks That Can Kill
Back in the sixties, when Jaguar were at the top of the game when it came to sports roadsters, Enzo Ferrari claimed their E-Type to be the world’s most beautiful car. It’s taking a very long time to see its successor, but does it live in its predecessor’s prepossessing shadow? Well, the problem for the Jaguar F-Type is not as simple as trying to live up to the renowned beauty of its Father; the designers also have the hugely popular and eternally sexy 911 to compete with.
So as not to upset the low centre of gravity, the designers have decided against a heavy metal roof for the Jaguar F-Type convertible, thereby ignoring what some of their rivals, among them Mercedes, are coming up with. Concentrating on their own assets, they have exacted a near perfect 50:50 weight distribution ratio thanks to a lightweight aluminium design and a fabric roof. Inside, the cockpit is superbly sporty, hugging you as soon as you sit down, cramming you in, getting you ready and raring to go. It certainly sets the mood.[vc_single_image image=”46173″ img_size=”article-image”]
Final Thoughts
New Jaguar F-Type prices start at £60,000 and rise to £80,000, a pricing bracket that sees it compete with the 911 and Porsche Boxster. Jaguar F-Type deals seem to be few and far between in terms of the additional extras you can add. These include the Meridian stereo upgrade, which gives you a mega 770w of sound and a choice of up to 12 speakers. Standard specs include alloy wheels, sports seats with electric height, Bi-function HID Xenon headlamps and DAB digital radio. One of the more popular variants of choice is the 340PS V6, which offers 31.4mpg. Whilst we know that the V6 is a particularly thirsty engine, you do get more mpg here than from, say, the Nissan 370Z Roadster, whilst the Boxster manages 35.3 mpg.
It’s probably time to stop the comparisons with Porsche’s thoroughbreds. Any Jaguar F-Type offers you look at will, undoubtedly, always be comparable to other roadsters, but what this car has going for it is something of a return to the glory days for the British brand. Have they reclaimed their sports car throne? Not quite. That might still be a way off, but the new Jaguar F-Type convertible is certainly a worthy, sound investment. It’s a harken back to the good old days alright – and it’s nice to see the Jaguar sports car back.
If you want to get hold of the new Jaguar F-Type, don’t hesitate to leave us a message on our contact page, or give us a call on 01903 538835 to find out more about our Jaguar F-Type lease deals.[vc_single_image image=”46174″ img_size=”article-image”]
