12 months after its unveiling at the Paris Auto Show the F-Type Jaguar is still a head-turner and is considered by many petrol heads to be the best sports car in the world.
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The big
A front-engined, rear-wheel drive convertible, the F-Type is engineered to deliver pure dynamic driving and stunning performance whilst invoking memories of the classic E-Type of the‘60s. Visually, the F-Type’s exterior expresses a new sports car design language for Jaguar with clean lines that look perfectly balanced from any angle. The F-Type’s two-seater interior features a driver-focused philosophy, with engaging controls encased in a dramatic setting but golfers beware, the boot is woefully small. Three models are currently available - F-Type, F-Type S and the F-Type V8 S. They are powered respectively by Jaguar’s new 3.0-litre V6 supercharged petrol engine in 340PS and 380PS outputs and its huge 5.0-litre V8 supercharged petrol producing 495PS The range-topping F-Type V8S will reach 60mph in 4.2 seconds and has a top speed of 186mph. The 380PS V6 F-Type S will reach 60mph in 4.8 seconds and 171mph, the equivalent figures for the F-Type are 5.1 seconds and 161mph All engines drive through an eight-speed ‘Quickshift’ transmission, a centrally mounted SportShift selector offering full manual sequential control, as do the steering wheel-mounted paddles.
with attitude
If you are not keen on the wind in your hair then there is talk of a Coupe version coming next summer. Prices start from £58,520 and when my mid life crisis kicks in, this is the car I’ll be pining after. By Jason Edge
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