F-Type Jaguar will wake the neighbors
Inside, the two-seater Jaguar F-TYPE is driver-focused and completely snug. Everything on the interior is geared to assist your experience.
The Jaguar’s muscular design and elegant shape encompass the sports car genre. The soft top can be lowered or raised in 12 seconds and up to 30 mph.
In mid-September the International Motor Press Association (IMPA) holds an annual Test Day’s event somewhere on the East Coast. Several auto manufacturers bring examples of the latest and greatest cars so journalist members can get behind the wheel of products not normally available to road test.
Over the next few weeks I’ll be sprinkling in my evaluations of several high profile and downright FUN cars that I had the opportunity to road test on-road as well as on a private motor club track. First up is the dazzling 2014 Jaguar F-TYPE V8-S Convertible.
If you have read anything about this convertible, it’s all true. It’s lightweight, fast and more than anything else — LOUD! There are three models with three separate horsepower outputs — the V6 F-TYPE with 340 horsepower, the F-TYPE S with 380 horsepower and the flagship F-TYPE V8 S with a 5.0L Supercharged V8 packing 492 horsepower and Polaris White paint that I was able to pilot twice.
This all-new two-seater is a new direction for Jaguar design and incorporates many innovative materials and design elements. The car’s muscular design and elegant shape encompass the sports car genre. The soft top can be lowered or raised in 12 seconds and up to 30 mph. The front grille leans slightly forward and flows nicely into the vertical headlamps. Look past the headlamps and your eyes will be guided along the fenders all the way to the rear of the car.
Around back are full LED rear lamps and exclusive to the V8 model are four outboard-mounted exhaust outlets. This model also incorporates an Active Exhaust system that enhances the sound tremendously. Under hard acceleration the bypass valves are electronically opened providing a free-flowing straight-through arrangement that is uncensored V8 music. This sound is harsh yet controlled and makes you pin the throttle over and over just to hear it wail. Warning — this WILL wake the neighbors and startle every dog on the block.
Inside, the two-seater is driver focused and completely snug. Everything on the interior is geared to assist your experience. The engine start/stop button, steering wheel mounted paddle shifters and dynamic mode toggle are highlighted in an “Ignis” orange finish to make them easier to locate while focusing on the road. Another useful aspect is the small-diameter steering wheel, it’s much more fun and simple to use especially while on the track. To be totally honest, I only looked at the interior when I first approached the vehicle and after my drive time was over. Otherwise I had two hands firmly on the steering wheel and my right foot deep in the throttle.
On-road the car shifts smoothly and is easy to drive casually; it’s a great open-air car for back roads and regular work commutes. On the track is where this car becomes a “sports-car.” Switch on the active exhaust and flip everything to SPORT — place your hands firmly at 10 and 2. Power is linear and handling is quick, so quick that I had to slow my hands into the corners. Braking is even and reassuring especially dropping from triple digits before a hard corner.
The F-TYPE V8 S incorporates all that is great in a sports car — V8 power, open-air driving and gorgeous design.