Better F-Type now available to local Jaguar sports car enthusiasts

Although Jaguar has piloted an ambitious product development programme, inducing SUVs and battery platforms, the company’s most iconic vehicles remain its sports cars.

Since the introduction of Jaguar’s original E-Type in the 1960s, the brand has always featured a two-door vehicle in its product portfolio. Although for many years, those two-door vehicles were grand tourers of the XJ-S and XK variety, all of this changed with the introduction of F-Type.

All the design drama

It was smaller than any of Jaguar’s predecessor sports cars but had all the design drama of a true E-Type successor. For the man who designed the F-Type, Ian Callum, it was the achievement of a lifelong ambition.

As a primary school boy besotted with cars, Callum had drawn concepts and sent them to Jaguar.

The company responded in kind with some technical material and a letter of commendation. Decades later, Callum would become chief designer at Jaguar – and repay the company’s faith in him by producing a true E-Type for the 21st century.

A MODERN CLASSIC IN THE MAKING

The F-Type architecture had aged remarkably well. It was originally launched back in 2014 and the latest update is now available in South Africa.

Although broadly unchanged in terms of mechanical features, the updated F-Type has slimmer headlamps, with more sophisticated LED pattern illumination.

Its interior also features an improved sense of digitisation, with customisable TFT displays which are not found in any other Jaguar model.  The Touch Pro infotainment system has both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, while all media is relayed via acoustically excellent Meridian sound systems.

Anchored by ‘inspired driving experience’

Beyond its striking design, the F-Type has always been anchored by an inspired driving experience. Providing the driving appeal on this updated range are a selection of familiar Jaguar engines, ranging in capacity from 2- to 5-litres, with four-, six- and eight-cylinder configurations.

TAKE YOUR PICK: THREE ENGINE OPTIONS

The most affordable variant in Jaguar’s new F-Type range, is the P300 R-Dynamic convertible, at R1 241 000. It is powered by a turbocharged two-litre four-cylinder engine, good for 221kW and 400Nm.

For those potential F-Type owners who prefer the balance of performance that a six-cylinder engine delivers, there is the supercharged three-litre V6, which boosts 280kW and 460Nm. Jaguar also offers this engine configuration with all-wheel drive.

Headlining the range, is a large capacity supercharged V8, displacing five litres. With its “575” badging, these V8 F-Types are good for 423kW and 700Nm.

Astounding engine outputs which convert to even more starling real-world performance numbers, enabling the most potent F-Type to run 0 to 100km/h in 3.7 seconds and record a top speed of 300km/h.

The new F-Type P575 R coupe is priced R2 422 700. All F-Type drive via an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the V8 versions are exclusively all-wheel drive.

The convertible F-Types are also slightly cheaper than the coupés.