- Doors and Seats
2 doors, 2 seats
- Engine
2.0T, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
221kW, 400Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 7.2L/100KM
- Manufacturer
RWD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2018 Jaguar F-Type four-cylinder first drive review
Four-cylinder performance cars are nothing new. But in years gone by the four-pot engine was traditionally found in hot hatches, not serious European two-door coupes and convertibles.
But Porsche made the jump in 2016, adding a four-cylinder boxer engine to its 718 Cayman and Boxster. Now Jaguar is following suit, expanding its F-Type range to include a four-cylinder engine option alongside its existing supercharged V6 and V8 powertrains.
While it may sound unusual and bit a bit of a culture shock, after driving the F-Type four-cylinder Drive was impressed by what the Leaping Cat brand has created.
The four-cylinder in question is the latest product of Jaguar Land Rover’s Ingenium engine family, measuring 2.0-litres in capacity and punching out a respectable 221kW of power and 400Nm of torque. In the F-Type it’s paired exclusively to an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive set-up.
That compares to 250kW, 280kW and 294kW for the different tunes for the supercharged V6 and 404kW and 423kW for the supercharged V8. But what it lacks in in outright performance the four-cylinder makes up in other areas.
One of the main advantages is weight, as it tips the scales up to 52kg lighter than its bigger siblings which has allowed Jaguar’s engineers to calibrate the suspension settings to give the four-pot F-Type a unique handling characteristic.
While it may be a very different engine to what you typically expect, on the road the new F-Type lives up to the expectations you have of a Jaguar sports car. For starters it sounds good, or at least it does when you get the active sports exhaust, part of the higher specification R-Dynamic models we tested.
It may be lacking cylinders compared to the other F-Type’s in the range but the 2.0-litre barks and pops and crackles just like a sports car should. There’s a nice, but subtle, growl from the engine under hard acceleration too. Does it have the same aural drama as the V6 or V8? No, but it’s enough to make you feel like you’re in something special.
It must be noted though that Jaguar didn’t have the standard model available, so we can’t make a comment on the noise from the regular exhaust system.
In terms of performance, which is the same in the standard car and the R-Dynamic we tested, the 2.0-litre engine has plenty of go. It doesn’t shove you back in your seat like the V8 but once it gets going the F-Type is a properly quick sports car. There’s plenty of mid-range punch thanks to 400Nm of torque which means it feels quick corner to corner.
The lighter weight in the nose also helps it feel more agile and responsive in the corners. Not that the V6 or V8 feel slow, but the four-cylinder has a lighter, more lively character; like a grown-up Mazda MX-5.
The steering weight may be too light for some, and even in the slightly heavier dynamic settings there’s a lack of feel off-centre that detracts slightly from the driving experience. But it’s only a minor criticism.
Of more concern is the ride quality in the convertible version. Although Jaguar has tried to make it more compliant the extra body strengthening for the soft-top translates to a busier ride that feels like it picks up every bump in the road. By contrast the coupe feels more comfortable, soaking up the bumps with more composure.
One of the biggest advantages of the smaller engine is a smaller price tag. The F-Type four-cylinder is the cheapest Jaguar sports car you can buy, with the Coupe starting at $107,012 (plus on-road costs) and the Convertible priced from $125,712.
For that money you get 18-inch alloy wheels, leather and suedecloth sports seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminium trim, climate control, keyless ignition and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen. Safety is covered by six airbags in the coupe and four in the convertible as well as autonomous emergency braking as standard.
However, as is the case with every Jaguar, the value equation looks less appealing when you delve deeper into the options. There are some notable pieces of equipment you need to pay extra for, including a reversing camera ($1060), digital radio ($640), dual-zone climate control ($1040) and keyless entry ($1200).
In fairness, Jaguar isn’t the only European sports car brand that charges for some options that should be standard (Porsche, I’m looking at you…)
The R-Dynamic model we tested cost $7800 more with the inclusion of the Design Pack (that adds gloss black exterior trim), the active sports exhaust, LED headlights, Delta aluminium centre console and 19-inch alloy wheels.
Putting the value question aside, as a sports car, the four-cylinder F-Type is impressive. It may not have quite the same punch as the V6 and V8 versions, but if you do opt for it you won’t feel like you’re driving a half-hearted sports car.
It sounds good and goes quickly, which are the two most important things a sports engine has to do. When you wrap it up in the stylish F-Type you have a very appealing sports car, no matter how many cylinders it has.
2018 Jaguar F-Type 2.0 price and specifications
Price: From $107,012 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 221kW at 5500rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1500-4500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Fuel use: 7.2L/100km