The Jaguar F-TYPE is the spiritual successor to the iconic E-Type of the sixties - a cultural symbol that has stood the test of time - and Jaguar is banking on it to put the marque right back into the heart of the sports car market.
With memories of the F-TYPE 3.0 S (let's just call it the V6 S) still etched in our heads, we have the ultimate variant of Jaguar's roadster with us here - the F-TYPE V8 S.
Up close and Personal
The drama begins before you even climb in, your eyes feasting on the sensuous curves and perfect roadster proportions that strike the right balance between charming and purposeful.
Up front, the vents on the V8's bonnet feature louvres as compared to the ones on the V6 S - probably an indication of something bigger lying underneath. Grille inserts and roll over protection bars are also painted in gloss black, giving the car a racy yet classy appeal.
The best way to differentiate the V6 S from the V8 is probably the rear. While the former has twin exhaust pipes in the centre, there are quads on the V8, two at each end, with a more pronounced rear diffuser housing them.
Inside the F-TYPE, almost everything is about the driver. The car is a proper two-seater, but the cabin is configured in such a way that it wraps around the driver, making you feel snug and comfortable once you're inside.
With that in mind, Jaguar has colour-coded the instruments that matter to the driving dynamics of the F-TYPE, such as the Adaptive Dynamics flip switch, the steering-mounted paddle shifters and the Start/Stop button that pulses red as if a heart beats within.
The instrumentation layout is clear and uncluttered and the rest of the controls are right where they should be, free of any obstructions. Look across the well-executed interior and you'll find both premium materials and top notch fit and finish.
The Drive
Wake the cat up and the supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine roars to life.
While we remembered the V6 S to be urgent and responsive, the V8 is effortlessly rapid, sprinting from zero to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds. Married to the excellent eight-speed ZF transmission, gear cogs are executed smoothly without any delay.
Without the Active Exhaust System activated, the car is quiet with an unobtrusive sound. Press that little button that resembles a double barrel shotgun on the centre console and a snarling, dramatic note ensues.
Blazing down the streets, the engine keeps the crescendo up, expressing itself with an angry, metallic wail that reverberates throughout the neighbourhood. Birds fly away, the leaves wish they could and the neighbours stick their heads out to find out what went past.
As you let off the throttle, it crackles and pops like fireworks (or music to car enthusiasts' ears). Find a tunnel and the aural experience is intoxicating. But of course, there is more to the V8 than its soundtrack.
Wake the cat up and the supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine roars to life.
While we remembered the V6 S to be urgent and responsive, the V8 is effortlessly rapid, sprinting from zero to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds. Married to the excellent eight-speed ZF transmission, gear cogs are executed smoothly without any delay.
Without the Active Exhaust System activated, the car is quiet with an unobtrusive sound. Press that little button that resembles a double barrel shotgun on the centre console and a snarling, dramatic note ensues.
Blazing down the streets, the engine keeps the crescendo up, expressing itself with an angry, metallic wail that reverberates throughout the neighbourhood. Birds fly away, the leaves wish they could and the neighbours stick their heads out to find out what went past.
As you let off the throttle, it crackles and pops like fireworks (or music to car enthusiasts' ears). Find a tunnel and the aural experience is intoxicating. But of course, there is more to the V8 than its soundtrack.
Fitted with a unique electronic differential, the V8 troubles its stability control a little more. Nonetheless, body control in corners is still excellent, though you may need to watch the throttle as the V8 is one tail-happy cat.
Steering is well-weighted, accurate and really quick to respond to inputs. As with the V6 S, the optional configurable Dynamics setup also allows you to fine tune damper, steering and gearbox settings, granting you a drive the way you want it.
Ride quality is on the sportier and stiffer side, but still compliant enough for daily travel, allowing the car to flow along any road, without its occupants suffering every bump or lump.
Conclusion
Driving the F-TYPE is like coming home from a rock concert. You get that pure feeling of satisfaction with everything you've just experienced - plastered with a big grin across your face.
The Jaguar F-TYPE V8 S may be a sports car with a hot-rod personality, but it can also be a civilised and relaxing cruiser. And if you are looking for volume, this is the one to have.
