Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to own a real E-Type back in the day? Your imagination, or possibly your
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| Jaguar’s F-Type looks gorgeous no matter the trim line. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
memory may send you back to the early ’60s behind the wooden rim and metal-spoked wheel of a 3.8-litre Series 1, cycling through its four-speed Moss “crash box” while tackling the hairpins of the glorious Furka Pass, just like JB did in Goldfinger, although he was piloting a different British classic at the time.
Maybe he should’ve been in an E-Type. After all, Enzo Ferrari never called the DB5 “the most beautiful car ever made.” He wasn’t alone of course, the E still revered with the same awe today that the great Il Commendatore showed at its unveiling in March of 1961.
I’ve driven that road, albeit at the controls of a late ’80s Fiat Uno-not quite the same experience. I’ve tested much more alluring cars on California’s Big Sur, mind you,
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| Fabulous rear end design looks great with the top down… (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
and I can certainly transport myself back to the early ’70s, a time when I actually have lucid memories. It was a roadway first discovered on a family road trip when War was making waves with “Why can’t we be friends?” and “Low Rider”, so it’s easy to imagine myself slaloming a pristine Series 2 through its majestic curves, the stunning seascapes below beckoning attention from the task at hand.
I was fortunate enough to pilot a Series 2 two-place coupe at the beginning of my writing career, when a friend who sold classic cars let me take the odd one out for a test drive and photo op, after which I’d write it up and publish it on my then new autos e-zine. It was the ’90s, and I was an early adopter to this new thing called the Internet. Funny now thinking back to my first European press launch in 2000,
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| …. or upright. And it doesn’t take long to power it up or down either. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
when waiting in the lobby of Munich’s Kempinski airport hotel amongst a circle of “fellow” auto journalists I was told, “This internet thing will never last…” by a particularly snotty newspaper writer who I would later learn was as mean spirited as he was presumptuously arrogant. While lambasted then, I suppose I get the last laugh now.
I’m sure some of the old-timers present (many of which were and still are especially nice fellows) had actually been on the original E-Type press launch, which would certainly be a story to relay to the grandkids. That makes me wonder if I’ll be telling similar tales to my future grandchildren about the good old days of driving the E-Type’s spiritual successor, the near certain collectable F-Type.
I
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| These complex headlamps look dazzling. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
haven’t had the pleasure of taking hold of this modern-day classic’s leather-wrapped wheel on the roads of Southern Cal or Switzerland, but I’ve enjoyed many wonderful miles right here in my West Coast homeland. The Sea-to-Sky highway, that curves its way from West Vancouver’s British Properties all the way up to the gorgeous resort hideaway of Whistler, BC is a particularly picturesque ribbon of circuitous tarmac, as is the short run up from the same starting point to the Cypress Bowl ski area, or the even more engaging two-laner that finalizes atop Mount Seymour, on the other side of Greater Vancouver’s North Shore. I’ve driven F-Types on many a challenging roadway, these the sorts of routes driving enthusiasts seek out when in possession of a brilliantly capable sports car; and believe me, the new F-Type is everything its cracked up to be and then some.
Its
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| The gloss black detailing and black alloys are optional. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
actual predecessor is the XK, a model that arguably provided more visual clues to its E-Type heritage, such as a wide oval grille and long, flowing, curvaceous body panels, but where the XK was more of a high-performance boulevardier when introduced as the XK8 in 1996 and finally a super coupe and convertible when bowing out as the XKR-S in 2014, the F-Type reintroduced light and lively sports car capability to Jaguar’s range, which was the true spirit of the original E-Type.
For this reason the F-Type is now considered a serious alternative to the less expensive Chevrolet Corvette and pricier Porsche 911, amongst others vying for the ever-thinning number of enthusiasts buying into this premium market segment.
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| The cloth top is very well made and extremely quiet, providing comfortable four-season motoring. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
To be clear, the luxury-branded sports car market is only deteriorating in the U.S. (so much for their strong pseudo economy), but here in Canada it’s been making steady gains across the board.
After growing from 36,787 units in 2010 to 75,126 in 2014, it dropped to 72,772 in 2015 and 67,119 last year (not including Bentley and Maserati that just started reporting sales numbers in 2016), whereas Canada’s sports car market increased from 2,941 units in 2010 to 5,752 last year (again not including Bentley and Maserati which would push last year’s Canadian total up to 5,890 units).
Before getting called out by angry politicians for attempting to discredit the U.S. bubble economy, it’s fairer to discredit both North American jurisdictions. The falling U.S.
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| This dynamic rear spoiler raises at highway speeds to add aerodynamic downforce. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
sports car numbers make pointing to a weakening U.S. economy easier, being that pricey luxury toys are normally purchased when times are good, but in the same breath it would be foolish to say that regularly increasing sports car sales in Canada reflect a robust Canadian economy.
Similar to rising housing prices that seem to have been directly related to foreign buyers parking questionably sourced funds (implementing a 15-percent foreign buyers’ tax appears to have verified this by mostly quelling Vancouver’s single detached housing market), a lot of high-end sports/luxury cars have likely been purchased by some of these money’s-no-object foreign buyers, or at least those temporarily living in Canada (there are plenty of young UBC students driving Aston Martins, Audi R8s, BMW i8s, Ferraris, Maseratis, McLarens, Mercedes GTs, Porsche
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| The F-Type’s elegantly slim LED taillights almost disappear in the red metallic paintwork. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
911s, and yes Jaguar F-Types with new driver “N” stickers on their rear bumpers). Either way, the increased purchase of premium cars benefits the Canadian economy, whether the source of funds comes directly from Canadian GDP or is a reflection of expats from foreign markets, like China, investing elsewhere.
Likewise, Jaguar’s Canadian division has benefited directly from increased F-Type sales since its first full year of availability in 2014 when it sold 229 units to last year when a record 522 left dealer lots. In the U.S. sales topped off at 4,629 in 2015 and then dropped to 4,069 units last year. These numbers pale in comparison to the 945 Porsche 911s sold in Canada last year and the 8,900 purveyed during the same 12 months in the States (Canadian sales also rising and U.S.
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| The F-Type’s interior is a step above most competitors. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
falling), or for that matter the Corvette that found 1,758 buyers in Canada last year and 29,995 in the U.S. (with the same jurisdictional scenario), but compare today’s F-Type numbers to a 2007 high of 242 XKs that tapered off to 148 in 2011, 122 in 2012, 94 in 2013, 85 in 2014, and finally 25 in 2015, and then factor in that the F-Type placed fourth out of 19 models currently available at the close of 2016, and it’s clearly a rarified sports car success. It was third before Audi’s TT rose five places to replace it last year, but has already charged back up to third after the first five months of 2017, the F-Type’s gorgeous lines, beautiful interior, phenomenal performance and good value keeping it up top where it belongs.
The
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| This down to business cockpit is a driving enthusiast’s delight, but it pampers nicely too. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
big news for 2017 is the new range-topping F-Type SVR pushing 575 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque to each of its four wheels. The 550 horsepower all-wheel drive R is carried forward the same as last year’s, as is the 380 horsepower S in rear- and all-wheel drive variants, and 340 horsepower base model, also offered in RWD and AWD. Likewise, you can get every one of these trims as a two-door Coupe or a Convertible, the former featuring a sloped rear roofline ending in a practical liftback, and the other incorporating a high-quality fabric top ahead of a regular trunk.
The car we bring you today is the latter with the base engine and just a few upgrades. While it doesn’t sprint to 100km/h in a mere 3.7 seconds and top out at 322 km/h (200 mph) like the new SVR (the SVR Convertible hits its limit at 314 km/h/195 mph), the base F-Type Convertible boasts an energetic 3.0-litre supercharged V6 capable of 5.7 seconds from standstill to 100km/h and a top speed of 260 km/h (161 mph) with the six-speed manual or 5.3
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| The large colour multi-information display at centre is very useful. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
seconds an the identical top speed with the as-tested paddle-actuated eight-speed auto, which is more than enough to raise the heartbeat.
Of course, I couldn’t help but exercise my right of temporary possession by putting it through its paces. The last time in an F-Type wasn’t long ago, a 2017 R Coupe powered by a rapturous sounding supercharged 5.0-litre V8 pushing 502 lb-ft of tire-smoking torque down to all four 20-inch Storm forged black alloys on ZR-rated Pirelli P Zero rubber, the stunning two-door hardtop launching from standstill to 100km/h in a knee-weakening 4.1 seconds before attaining a 300km/h (186 mph) top speed (which I never even came near attempting).
Despite
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| Jaguar’s 8.0-inch infotainment display provides navigation, a backup camera, and much more. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
the considerable straight-line performance discrepancy, I still had to question why I’d pay more for the outrageously powerful V8. Of course the acceleration numbers don’t lie and the seat of the pants thrills of that engine and the car’s handling upgrades epitomize spine-tingling fun, but the sweet note of the base model’s V6 and dual-exhaust combo, plus the pleasurable pull of its still significant output makes it a brilliantly engaging drop-top just the same, with much more available speed than any public roadway can contain.
On the road the F-Type is like no other sports car. I’m not saying it’s better than a 911 or the Aston Martin Vantage so many enthusiasts compare it to, but it’s as good as either with its own unique personality. The base F-Type has Jaguar’s classic front-engine, rear-drive layout, just the way I happen to like it best. The engine
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| All of the F-Type’s switchgear is first-rate. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
is mid-mounted behind the front axle for ideal balance, and the car’s bodywork and suspension is mostly formed from lightweight aluminum for a slight 1,587-kilo (3,499-lb) curb weight, which is a mere 20 kilograms (44 lbs) more than the F-Type Coupe and very close to the aforementioned 911 Cabriolet, the car it most suitably targets.
Its power to weight ratio is spot on, and ability to slice through the most circuitous sets of consecutive switchbacks at rapid rates of speed downright shocking in its seeming ease. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a thoroughly engaging sports car, delivering the high levels of feedback craved by enthusiast drivers, but it gets the job done so effortlessly it would be anticlimactic if it weren’t for little controlled slides at the rear wheels and that sonorous exhaust note I keep going on about.
Take
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| These sport seats are ideally comfortable and superbly supportive. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
it down a notch or three and it’s easy to see that Jaguar doesn’t skimp on interior quality, with rich stitched leather across the dash top, around the sides of the centre stack including the buttress-style handle on the passenger’s side, across the door uppers and then all the way down to the very bottom of the door panels as well as the lower dash. Jaguar even covers each roof pillar and inside edge of the windshield cross-member in stitched leather. Truly, the detailing is otherworldly, the stuff of the ultra-luxury class that normally costs hundreds of thousands more. Some of my tester’s stitching was in black, with other areas done in red, but interestingly the fabulous flat-bottom leather-wrapped sport steering wheel was laced up with the former.
The wonderfully comfortable and fully supportive sport seats boasted a mix a black leather and red thread, for a particularly attractive look. They featured a multitude
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| The F-Type Convertible’s roll hoops are joined by a reinforced windshield cross-member and strengthened A-pillars. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
of adjustments including adjustable bolsters that pinched backside in order to hold torso in place during aforementioned fast-paced cornering. Three-way memory for both seats made it easy to find favourite seating positions, and while I’m only five-foot-eight I would imagine there’d be plenty of room for most body types.
Of course, being a convertible there’s unlimited headroom as long as it’s warm enough outside, but even in the winter months there was a good five inches above my head, and it’s a very nicely finished soft top as well, with an insulated fabric liner. It goes up and down quickly at the touch of a lower console-mounted switch, allowing you to take advantage of sudden sunshine or vice versa on the fly.
Also
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| The deep trunk should provide ample room for a weekend getaway for two. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
powering up and down are the centre vents, which can be hidden away if you’d rather see a more aesthetically pleasing dashboard, although they look nice enough open and do a very good job of providing ventilation, combined with a set of large corner vents. Such details in mind, the F-Type has beautifully crafted switchgear, especially the scrolling dials for controlling those vents, these rimmed in metal with rubber centres for added grip. Additionally, attractive solid feeling composite toggles and rocker switches can be found throughout the cabin, also finished with grippy black textured surfaces and satin-finish metal edging. The look is top-tier, and the functionality superb. In fact, all of the F-Type’s switchgear is far above average, with excellent fit, finish, materials quality, and design.
And let’s remember, my tester, despite a gloss black styling package, those fabulous
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| The base F-Type’s clamshell hood exposes a very powerful yet efficient supercharged 3.0-litre V6. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
black alloys and some interior upgrades was mostly in base trim. The 2017 F-Type Convertible starts in the low $80k range, with notable features including proximity sensing-access with pushbutton ignition, a powered tilt and telescopic steering column with memory, powered leather seats with memory, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment with navigation, a rearview camera, 380-watt Meridian audio, satellite and HD radio, auto climate control, rear parking sensors, a dynamic rear spoiler, active sports exhaust, a Dynamic sport mode, auto engine start/stop, an electromechanical parking brake, plenty of active and passive safety features, and much more.
Suffice to say the F-Type is the purest of sports cars gentrified for a luxury lifestyle, a car with the power to move one’s soul yet embodied with the calming spirit of graceful style, craftsmanship and quality that can easily sooth an aching mind after a demanding day’s challenges. Therapy from behind the wheel? As any Jaguar owner can attest, life with one of the British marque’s cars rates at a higher level, and spending part of each day with the F-Type raises one’s game yet again. It’s the attainable modern-day equivalent to the E-Type, effectively delivered in one fabulously performing, luxuriantly equipped, intelligently safe, sensibly reliable package. You truly must imbibe.
©(Copyright Canadian Auto Press)
