The stunning looks of Jaguar’s new F-Type gets heads swivelling to admire it.
Constructed largely of aluminium, it comes in coupe or convertible versions with a choice of two supercharged V6 engines or a supercharged 5.0-litre V8.
We drove the mid-range S ‘drop-top’ with its 280kW ‘blown six’. And the drive experience is every bit as worthy of admiration as its sexy looks.
Force-fed via a Roots ‘blower’, the engine offers strong and immediate throttle response for performance that excites and makes the 404kW V8 seem like overkill. The standard eight-speed auto, with paddle shifters, is an ideal match for the engine, delivering smooth, positive shifts.
The active exhaust system means the F-Type can sound relatively meek and mild, or provide a lovely rich bass bellow to accompany the engine when it’s aroused.
Overall, the car exudes refinement throughout, from its mechanicals – down to the comfort and beautifully executed ambience of the cabin. Enormous discs and callipers incorporated in Jaguar’s high performance braking system wash off speed effectively.
The rear-drive chassis is responsive to steering and throttle inputs from the driver, feeling agile and finely balanced. The boot is very shallow and of limited use.