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The Right Type For An F-Type

Topics:  Jaguar F-Type

The Right Type For An F-Type

Geoff Maxted
DriveWrite
September 16, 2013

Selecting a car based on colour can sometimes be a mistake. Or so I once thought. The car in the picture is in a shade called ‘Firesand’, whatever that is. It is a very attractive hue that isn’t given full justice in my snap. Once on board I realised that I had chosen the baby version with a pathetically tiny three litre V6. I need not have worried. This V6 was also supercharged.

As previously mentioned in my Evoque review, a short time in a car cannot possibly enable a thorough workout. Fortunately, whilst fiddling about with the touchscreen I ensured that I became hopelessly lost in an unknown land somewhere near the Midlands. This may have meant that I spent rather more time with this car than I should have. I don’t think anyone noticed although curiously there was a bigger police presence in the vicinity than you‘d think when I eventually showed up.

The Jaguar F-Type has been a revelation and not one single voice that I have heard has spoken against it. More to the point, this less powerful version is arguably a better drive because it is not as ferocious as its bigger engined siblings. 5.1 seconds is not exceptional in the 0-60mph rush but that, for most drivers, is not the whole story. It is the overall performance that matters and this engine driven through an 8 speed ‘Quickshift’ gearbox is a delight. Makes a great noise too.

Top speed for this version is 161mph although the chances of seeing that number in front of you in the UK are both fat and slim. Jaguar reckon that 30mpg plus is possible but I suggest that, with the temptation to extend the right foot, the owner probably won’t achieve it. For such a powerful car the dreaded CO² is kept down to an impressive 209g/km. Good for this sector. The boot space as you might expect is modest but acceptable for the class, made roomier by the lack of a spare wheel.

It’s easy to get comfy and visibility is good once the seat is adjusted to suit. The driving environment is nicely compact with everything to hand and, not to put too fine a point on it, I had a ball. Personally, I found the ride to my liking, being neither too soft or too hard. Handling was superb. Obviously for a sports car it should be, but whipping through some twisting country lanes trying to find my way back I was impressed with the flat line with no appreciable body roll at all. The temptation to just keep on going was very hard to resist.

The F-Type is not a cheap car. The V8 S is very expensive and even the V6, fully loaded, will cost something approaching £70k. But it’s got something, this Jaguar. I believe that the V6 is the right engine for this car. The V8 is sensational in the bigger coupe and saloons but this smaller alternative helps to make this car nimble and less focused on raw power.

The F-Type doesn’t come across as a boys’ car either. It is a very sophisticated sports car with a good dollop of fun built in. The good news is that any type of driver is the right type for an F-Type. Now, what’s the bank manager’s name again?