Jaguar sold over 70,000 units of the E-Types globally over the span of 13 years (1961-1974) and established the British carmaker as an icon in the 1960s.
40 years later, the British carmaker announced the successor to the E-Type, and was officially unveiled, as a soft-top convertible, at the Paris Motor Show in 2012. Based on the C-X16 concept hybrid electric sports car, the spiritual successor - conveniently dubbed the F-TYPE - will be the car that will define Jaguar in years to come.
Unlike a Porsche, where there's a dedicated group for whom nothing but a 911 will satisfy, the Jaguar attracts a different group with its extrovert personality. And that's no bad thing, especially for buyers who are looking to separate themselves from the sea of Porsche owners and fans.
Exterior
While most convertibles look fine when the roof is folded away, they seem to lose some of their fine lines with the roof up. In the F-TYPE's case, it's quite an exception.
The soft-top is exceptionally graceful, boasting tight and defined lines that work perfectly with the body design, and folds down in just 12 seconds.
40 years later, the British carmaker announced the successor to the E-Type, and was officially unveiled, as a soft-top convertible, at the Paris Motor Show in 2012. Based on the C-X16 concept hybrid electric sports car, the spiritual successor - conveniently dubbed the F-TYPE - will be the car that will define Jaguar in years to come.
Unlike a Porsche, where there's a dedicated group for whom nothing but a 911 will satisfy, the Jaguar attracts a different group with its extrovert personality. And that's no bad thing, especially for buyers who are looking to separate themselves from the sea of Porsche owners and fans.
Exterior
While most convertibles look fine when the roof is folded away, they seem to lose some of their fine lines with the roof up. In the F-TYPE's case, it's quite an exception.
The soft-top is exceptionally graceful, boasting tight and defined lines that work perfectly with the body design, and folds down in just 12 seconds.
At 4,470mm x 1,923mm x 1,308mm (L x W x H), the car is low-slung and wide, with large grille opening flanked by dual air intakes and capped by upswept headlamps that are underlined in LED lighting.
It echoes none of the other sports car you see on the road. Taking it from a different perspective, perhaps the Germans have outclassed the rest of the pack with their technology but the Brits have certainly preserved their soul and kept themselves in the game through amazing designs.
As with the frontal face, the rear is just as attractive and aggressive at the same. Thin LED taillights bulge at one end with circular insets while a pair of large exhaust pipes can be seen sneering out from the centre of the rear bumper.
In short, the car is a thing of beauty, demonstrating a look that can only be rivalled by the Italians.
It echoes none of the other sports car you see on the road. Taking it from a different perspective, perhaps the Germans have outclassed the rest of the pack with their technology but the Brits have certainly preserved their soul and kept themselves in the game through amazing designs.
As with the frontal face, the rear is just as attractive and aggressive at the same. Thin LED taillights bulge at one end with circular insets while a pair of large exhaust pipes can be seen sneering out from the centre of the rear bumper.
In short, the car is a thing of beauty, demonstrating a look that can only be rivalled by the Italians.
Interior
Inside, the cabin is simply sumptuous. The cockpit is easily the best there is in its segment. When you start the car, the air vents taking centre stage rise up out of the dashboard as if the car is coming alive.
This same impression begins before you even get into the car. Press the button on the door handle and it'll ease out. It does so in such a suave mechanical manner that it's hard not to stand out, especially when you've parallel parked in front of a cafe where everyone has eyes on you.
Quality of the interior materials is absolutely top notch, just as what you would expect from the English cat.
Inside, the cabin is simply sumptuous. The cockpit is easily the best there is in its segment. When you start the car, the air vents taking centre stage rise up out of the dashboard as if the car is coming alive.
This same impression begins before you even get into the car. Press the button on the door handle and it'll ease out. It does so in such a suave mechanical manner that it's hard not to stand out, especially when you've parallel parked in front of a cafe where everyone has eyes on you.
Quality of the interior materials is absolutely top notch, just as what you would expect from the English cat.
The moment you jump in (or more like ease yourself in without looking like you're trying too hard), you'll easily find out how some owners of the F-TYPE use it as their daily commute. With its good visibility and intuitive ergonomics, the car can be an agreeable and comfortable companion for your everyday use.
Credit for comfort also goes to a bank of switches by the door to adjust your driving position and a little rotary knob to adjust the degree of side bolstering.
More intimately, the dash is filled with just the right quantity of polished knobs and toggles without coming across as overwhelming (or even confusing) while the tastefully finished switches on the centre console complete the sporty and sophisticated package.
Credit for comfort also goes to a bank of switches by the door to adjust your driving position and a little rotary knob to adjust the degree of side bolstering.
More intimately, the dash is filled with just the right quantity of polished knobs and toggles without coming across as overwhelming (or even confusing) while the tastefully finished switches on the centre console complete the sporty and sophisticated package.
The Drive
Blessed with a 3.0-litre V6 Supercharged powerplant residing under the long bonnet, the S variant of the F-TYPE that you see here is good for 374bhp and 460 twisting force. Flooring the accelerator will thus result the cat to pick up speed feverishly and smoothly, enabling it to complete the century sprint timing in just 4.9 seconds - a split of a second faster than the Porsche Boxster S.
But it isn't just the figures that are astounding. It's the sense of urgency and the ruckus that set the F-TYPE apart from others, especially if you press the button located on the centre console that opens up the valves in the active sports exhaust.
The fiery orange fiend may not be the fastest or the lightest sports car in the market but when it comes to aural delight, it's definitely at the top of the list.
On the road, you'll find yourself benefitting from the car's predictable movements, thanks to its athleticism and precise and communicative steering. It never surprises you with the change of speed or direction.
As a result, coupled with smooth and crisp eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, the F-TYPE handles corners very well, with little body roll and ample grip.
Blessed with a 3.0-litre V6 Supercharged powerplant residing under the long bonnet, the S variant of the F-TYPE that you see here is good for 374bhp and 460 twisting force. Flooring the accelerator will thus result the cat to pick up speed feverishly and smoothly, enabling it to complete the century sprint timing in just 4.9 seconds - a split of a second faster than the Porsche Boxster S.
But it isn't just the figures that are astounding. It's the sense of urgency and the ruckus that set the F-TYPE apart from others, especially if you press the button located on the centre console that opens up the valves in the active sports exhaust.
The fiery orange fiend may not be the fastest or the lightest sports car in the market but when it comes to aural delight, it's definitely at the top of the list.
On the road, you'll find yourself benefitting from the car's predictable movements, thanks to its athleticism and precise and communicative steering. It never surprises you with the change of speed or direction.
As a result, coupled with smooth and crisp eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, the F-TYPE handles corners very well, with little body roll and ample grip.
Switching the drive to Track mode is also another short press of a button on the centre console. Once activated, it sharpens the car's turn in and throttle, holds revs right up to the 8,500rpm redline and stiffens up the suspension a tad - all done to keep your adrenaline going.
Over poorly surfaced roads, the F-TYPE is decidedly firm but never harsh. The suspension tuning feels as honest as it should be dependable.
Conclusion
Jaguar got a lot of things right with the new Jaguar F-TYPE. It looks every bit fantastic, has a soundtrack to die for and is rewarding to drive. But more importantly and relevantly, the car has a soul of a true blue sports car and aces in the desirability department.
That says a lot about a car.
sgCarMart would like to thank Changi Karting Circuit (CKC) for kindly providing their location for this review.
Over poorly surfaced roads, the F-TYPE is decidedly firm but never harsh. The suspension tuning feels as honest as it should be dependable.
Conclusion
Jaguar got a lot of things right with the new Jaguar F-TYPE. It looks every bit fantastic, has a soundtrack to die for and is rewarding to drive. But more importantly and relevantly, the car has a soul of a true blue sports car and aces in the desirability department.
That says a lot about a car.
sgCarMart would like to thank Changi Karting Circuit (CKC) for kindly providing their location for this review.
