REVERTING TO TYPE (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_jaguarf-type_2021

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 123

The F-TYPE. It's not only a sportscar - it's a Jaguar sportscar: the difference is important. Don't expect a racetrack refugee - but don't expect a luxury GT either, the kind of car sporting fans of the brand previously had so often to be satisfied with. Think instead of what an Austin Healey or a Triumph TR6 might be like re-interpreted for the modern era, a roadster or, as in this case, a coupe designed very much for the road. A machine you can't help but want to drive - and drive hard. In this updated post-2020-era form, that was more than ever what an F-TYPE could be, thanks to widespread improvements that broadened its appeal. Here, we look at the Coupe version.

Modelsword count: 9

2dr coupe (2.0 petrol / 5.0 V8 supercharged petrol)

Historyword count: 403

What do you expect a Jaguar sports car to be? Charismatic? Memorable? Classically elegant? The company's F-TYPE model claimed all these attributes. Even today, it's a little bit special. And if you're looking at a used one, it's worth stretching to the post-2020-era facelifted version we're going to look at here in Coupe form. By 2020, the F-TYPE had changed quite a bit since we'd first seen it back in 2013 as a Convertible and from 2014 as a Coupe. In 2015, we saw the announcement of manual transmission and AWD, then a frantic flagship SVR V8 derivative arrived with supercar-style performance, just before the introduction of a minor facelift, an uprated V6 engine option and, perhaps most significantly, in mid-2017, an entry-level four cylinder variant. Probably the most significant package of changes though, arrived in late 2019 to create the car we're going to look at here. To see out the production run, Jaguar's stylists delivered a sleeker look and, for mainstream models, swapped out the aging supercharged V6 for an even more potent V8. Creating? Well what? Perhaps the sports car you've always promised yourself? We're going to find that out here. The F-TYPE, remember, was a car over half a century in the making. At the time of its original launch, it had been that long since we'd seen a proper Jaguar sportscar, a successor to the iconic C, D and E-Type models that defined this market in the Fifties and Sixties. In those days, the Coventry company was a brand known for true drivers' cars, rather than the luxurious GT models more familiar from the modern era. Think of peoples' perception of Porsche today: back then, you bought a Jag for that kind of thing. Might you do so again today? Well this updated F-TYPE claimed to be better equipped than ever to persuade those in any doubt, a modern era Jaguar that was ready to take on sporting class leaders of the calibre of Porsche's 718 series and 911 Carerra models. Can one single design really do that? Previously with this car, we'd had our doubts and sure enough, earlier versions of this model never sold in the kind of numbers high enough to really trouble the premium German brands. This revised F-TYPE though, revitalised its appeal and if you're torn between a top sportscar and a junior level supercar, it could offer the perfect used sportscar package.

What You Getword count: 506

The visual changes made to this improved model as part of the 2020 update were significant, centring mostly on a front end that was embellished by super-slim pixel LED headlights that blended into the 'liquid metal' surfacing' of the restyled clamshell bonnet with its signature power bulge. There was also a smarter front bumper and a subtly enlarged grille that together aimed to deliver more visual impact and presence. We still think that, even today, visually this F-TYPE Coupe body shape works really well, with its short wheelbase, power-packed set of rear haunches and elegant roof line. The alternative Convertible version has a multi-layered fabric hood with a thick Thinsulate lining to make it waterproof, with a powered mechanism that takes just 12 seconds to operate. At the rear as part of this update, the slender tail lights were revised, featuring an LED chicane signature inspired by the Jaguar I-PACE. It's certainly very firmly driver-orientated inside, the two front occupants separated by a prominent grab handle which sweeps down from the top of the centre console and wraps around behind the joystick-shaped SportShift gear selector. The main change with this revised model lay with the replacement of conventional analogue instrument binnacle dials with a configurable, high-definition 12.3-inch 'Interactive Driver Display' screen. It can be set to display either conventionally with two virtual dials - or with a single large rev counter. Alternatively, you can prioritise the display of Media or Drive Assistance features - or have the screen show full GPS mapping. Not so good is the fact that the central infotainment screen wasn't updated to the newer 'Pivi Pro' system that by 2019, other new Jaguar models were featuring. But this F-TYPE's older-tech 10-inch 'Touch Pro' display could as part of this update be had with 'Apple CarPlay' or 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring; even so, even back in 2019 it felt rather dated. Still, it includes most of the features you'll need, including a 'Connected Navigation Pro' set-up and a very decent Meridian Sound System. You can forgive this car a lot for the way its classy cabin combines traditional Jaguar craftsmanship with rich, contemporary materials such as Windsor Leather and satin-finish Noble Chrome. Beautiful details include monogram stitch patterns in the seats and door trims, Jaguar Leaper motifs in the headrests, and subtle 'Jaguar Est.1935' markings on the centre console finisher, glovebox release button surround, and seatbelt guides. We also approve of the small diameter, three-spoke leather-trimmed wheel. And a really lovely touch lies with the deployable front air vents that rise impressively from the centre of the fascia when you need upper cabin air. The boot is relatively big, giving the F-TYPE Coupe genuine GT potential. You'll get 315-litres in up to the parcel shelf and 407-litres to the window line. Of course, should you have opted for the Convertible version of this car, you'd have to readjust your expectations on luggage capacity. With that body style, you get only 196-litres of capacity, but at least that's unaffected by the position of the roof.

To see the full road test text contact us on 0330 0020 227