- Doors and Seats
2 doors, 2 seats
- Engine
3.0SC, 6 cyl.
- Engine Power
280kW, 460Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 8.9L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Jaguar F-Type V6 S Coupe quick spin review
Vitals: $151,380 (plus on-road and dealer costs); 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrol; 280kW/460Nm; 6-speed manual; 9.8L/100km; rear-wheel drive
Why we're driving it
The manual option was recently added to the F-Type range. While Jaguar acknowledges it will have a relatively low take-up (most buyers prefer the ease of the auto) it adds to the enthusiast appeal of Jaguar's sportiest model.
What is it?
The purest Jaguar currently on sale. The F-Type is the spiritual (and long awaited) successor to the legendary E-Type. It's available as a hard-top coupe or a convertible, both with just two seats. It's the coupe we've tested here.
What isn't it?
Subtle or unassuming. The F-Type's elegant lines beautifully blend the brand's long-bonneted heritage with modern touches and a muscular stance.
What does it say about me?
You enjoy driving and you like being a bit different.
What colours does it come in?
The standard colours run to white, black and two hues of red. Then there are nine metallic options ($2810 each), including another red, or two premium colours ($5620). In the latter camp there's Black Berry and Storm Grey or you can go for some metallic classics, such as British Racing Green or Glacier White.
If it were a celebrity, who would it be?
Geez, it's tempting to go with a James Bond actor, but they're comfortably buckled into Aston Martins. So for our money it's Jude Law; refined, flexible, well proportioned, well-spoken and, importantly, British.
Why would I buy it?
Because you owned an E-Type. Or your friends all drive Porsches. At the end of the day the F-Type brings exclusivity to the sports car field, as well as an old school style infused with modern touches.
Best bits?
The way it drives. The F-Type is about enjoying the drive and it rarely lets the driver forget they're in something special. It could be as simple as the big blind spot over your left shoulder or the well honed suspension that makes for surefooted and engaging cornering.
The more you live with it the more you notice the details, too. Like the heartbeat-like pulsing of the starter button or the air vents that rise from the dash when you start the engine.
The pop-up rear spoiler that nicely positions the Jaguar logo in your rear vision mirror is also pretty cool. It's a nice touch as a reminder you're a) having a go, and b) driving something pretty special.
Worst bits?
Buying the manual isn't exactly a compelling sales pitch; you get two fewer ratios that with the auto most buyers are choosing, its claimed fuel use is 17 per cent higher (9.8 litres per 100km versus 8.4L/100km), and it takes 0.4 seconds longer to reach 100km/h (5.7 seconds v 5.3).
There's also nowhere for luggage. And, no, I'm not being dramatic; the small boot is almost entirely consumed by the space saver spare tyre. OK, so sports cars aren't supposed to be chocked full of suitcases, but most people would expect to be able to fit in an overnight bag or a laptop. Even that takes some careful packing in the F-Type.
I'm also not a rap for the hide-away door handles, which look great when recessed but aren't the most practical things going. Walk up to the car, for example, and they don't just detect the key and pop open, you've first got to press a button to wake them up.
Will it let me down?
There's a good chance. Jaguar and sister brand Land Rover still perform poorly in JD Power Dependability studies, and anecdotal evidence suggests the latter, in particular, still has some way to go to achieve the faultless running expected of modern cars.
Does it cost too much?
It's no bargain, but then again sports cars don't tend to fall into the drive-away deals bin. And, for the price, some more goodies thrown into the deal would be appreciated.
Will it get me noticed?
Fair chance. The F-Type has the proportions and design to turn heads. Throw in sizeable 20-inch wheels, bonnet vents and the beautiful profile and it makes for a car that stands out on any street.
Does it go?
Yep, nicely. While there is a temptation to go the full hog and get the V8 there will be few people who will be disappointed with the way the supercharged V6 goes. From the instant you take off there's a nice surge of torque and it revs enthusiastically all the way to its electronic cutout, with a linearity to the power delivery that makes it useful at any speed.
Most of the time you can rely on that 460Nm of torque, but it's not as fun as unleashing a torrent of revs for the full aural and accelerative experience.
The manual isn't a particularly slick shifter, although the gear lever has a nifty short throw and the ratios are well-spaced too.
In its regular drive mode the engine sounds a bit flat, but press the exhaust button to open flaps in the great looking centre mounted twin pipes and it delivers a more satisfying snarl. Press the sport button and the throttle response is noticeably sharper and more in keeping with the sporty nature.
Does it like corners?
In a very grippy sort of a way. The Pirelli hoops hang on brilliantly and the car is beautifully balanced. The nose points very accurately, with fluid and communicative steering, and the tail follows suit. Those wider rear tyres mean you can be very aggressive reapplying the throttle and it doesn't step out or misbehave.
What about bumps?
Any sports car is going to feel the bumps and the Jag does its fair share of jiggling. But it's never harsh and deals admirably with speed humps. Step up the speed and it treads a nice path between control and comfort.
How's the sound system?
OK, but not as good as a Meridian system should be in a $150k car. There's a subwoofer somewhere behind the seats that keeps things pulsing on the bass hits, and there's decent volume to it. But there's not the crystal clarity and punch some may yearn for. And digital radio isn't standard.
What about service stations?
Fuel use on paper isn't great, at 9.8 litres per 100km, and it's easy to double that if you're really enjoying things. But being more sensible and you can easily keep it to 12L/100km.
Would you buy one?
There's plenty of appeal in its exclusivity and sensual design. But I'd be going for the auto all day over the manual, because of the benefits it brings in performance. Plus the auto seems better suited to the nature of the car; while the F-Type is a sports car, it's also at home in cruise mode.
Oh, and I'd only grab one if I had another car in the garage, mainly because of the lack of space.
What else should I consider?
The Porsche Cayman S or GTS is the most serious competitor for the F-Type. It's a lot more practical and, as an S, more affordable. But the Cayman and its Boxster soft-top sibling are more common than the F-Type; in 2015 the combined sales are more than double the number of F-Types (we've added the figures because the F-Type is a coupe and convertible).
The spin
"So distinctive, so instinctive, and so alive."
The translation
Watch your hands, this one could bite.