For many years motoring enthusiasts have been waiting for the spiritual successor to the legendary Jaguar E Type.
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The XJS, and the XK8 and XKR tried to fill the void but never quite made the cut.
In 2013 Jaguar released the F Type.
Motoring enthusiasts world-wide finally had a car that could fill that chasm left by the demise of the E Type 41 years before.
I have just completed a 1200k road test of a three litre F Type VC convertible.
The car’s statistics are impressive.
The supercharged three litre V6 motor pumps out 280KW (376bhp) and 460Nm of torque. The car drives through an eight speed auto with sequential change via paddleshifts.
The F Type accelerates to 100kph in 4.9 seconds. It has an academic top speed of 275kph. True supercar figures.
Standard equipment in the F Type is Jaguar High Performance Braking System, Sports Suspension, Front Park Aid, Rear View Camera, Dynamic Mode Rain/Ice/Snow Mode, eight inch Touch Screen Display, Satnav, Meridian Sound System with 10 Speakers
My road test car also came with $23,700 of accessories including: Dual-zone Climate Control air, Adaptive Bi-function Xenon headlamps with Cornering Laps and Auto High Beam Assist. Exterior Sport Design Pack Body coloured extended side sills, Body Coloured Sport rear venturi outboard exhausts, 20 inch alloy wheels, Ammonite Grey Metallic Paint.
Limited Slip Differential with Torque Vectoring, Blind Spot Monitoring and Close Vehicle Sensing, Climate Pack (heated seats, heated steering wheel). The electronic soft top stows and engages in about 20 seconds.
A few things missing on the Jaguar that I would like to see are autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control and a heads up display.
But this car is not all about electronics and gimmicks. It's about driving. Here it excels. The car handles in a neutral fashion in all situations.
It neither oversteers or understeers, just goes where you point it, wet or dry. Power from the three litre supercharged engine is instantaneous.
Engage one of the performance modes and the exhaust note becomes music to your ears. You know you are in a performance sports car. In city traffic the car is docile and easy to drive.
I loved every minute with the F Type. It is an absolute driver's car, with luxury and comfort a welcome add on. RRP $176,106+ORC. As tested $199,806+ORC.
My rating for the Jaguar F Type 9.75/10 - what a car. Well done Jaguar, the E Type can rest in peace knowing the heritage continues.
I have an any day double pass to give away to a reader or listener to Summernats in Canberra this January. To be in the draw please send your name address and phone number to me via email at goodsell@pnc.com.au.
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