Global Press Launch, Barcelona and Lleida

Jaguar has plenty of heritage and history in the sports car market, with just about everyone in the world knowing about the iconic E Type, a true classic. But will the F Type carry on that tradition?

When we received the itinerary from Jaguar a few days before the launch event, it looked pretty hectic. We had two days in Spain, two different hotels, four flights to catch and in-between, testing the new F Type coupe on the road and on a track.

We stayed in Barcelona the first night and then took a flight from Barcelona to Lleida. The taxiing from the terminal took 22 minutes to the runway but the flight itself was just 18 minutes.

The F Type coupe is available with 2 different capacity engines with 3 different power outputs. There is a standard supercharged 3.0 litre V6 with 340ps and an S version with 40ps more and a £9,000 higher price tag. The high performance version is the supercharged 5.0 litre which has a massive 550ps.  

When we arrived at Lleida airport the F Types were there waiting for us. We collected a V6 S and drove it to the Motorland circuit in Aragon. This track is used most days of the year for testing and motorcycle racing. It is 3.32 miles long with a 1.05 mile long straight down the back.

We then took the V6 S, with its 380ps engine that goes from 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds, around the track, testing its acceleration, braking, handling and cornering. I have to say the engineers have got it absolutely right. The coupe feels as solid as a rock and sticks to the road as though it was on rails, it did not move an inch from the chosen line. 

Down the back straight with foot to the floor and on full power it just kept going, and you got to the stage where you dare not look at the speedometer, as you were going so fast. The left hand corner was approaching fairly rapidly and you had to keep both eyes on the tarmac. Braking was left to the last second and it went safely around the tight left corner. The brakes were superb and slowed the F Type from “very fast” to almost stationary in seconds. It did take a few laps to get it right and get the confidence to push it to the limit.

We then went to another part of the circuit to try the F Type coupe R. We drove around some wet tarmac to test the cars new torque vectoring system. It has some very technical details, but in a nutshell the inner wheels have the brakes applied on corners. This helps stability and enhances agility and handling when on the limit, although I’m not entirely sure how it works. But after driving the coupe in very wet conditions and at high speed around some tight corners, I know that it works very well!

After the circuit, it was back in the V6 S and up into the mountains for some extremely twisty roads that took us to a high altitude which made our ears pop. There were also some fairly steep drops on both sides of the road. 

The interior is very well finished with some nice touches and very high quality materials. The seats were good for holding you in place around the tight corners but did stick in your back a bit. For normal, everyday driving I would find them too uncomfortable. We did try adjusting them, but they still were not right for my back or maybe I am just getting too old for sports seats!

The A-pillars from outside look good with a nice rake angle, but from the inside they were enormous, with small speakers in them and large door mirrors. The pillars restrict your view, especially on those mountain road bends. But I guess the designers and engineers have to think about rigidity and safety ahead of good all-round vision.

The boot is a reasonable size and with some “soft luggage” you could get plenty in it. It is a pure 2-seater and Jaguar have not tried to squeeze two small child seats in the rear, which helps luggage space and makes the cabin look and feel like a true sports car.

The next morning we got back into a V8 R and returned to the hills to test the cars handling, engine and more importantly its brakes. All worked perfectly and exactly as they should. We went to the top of a mountain where the scenery and views were spectacular, almost as spectacular as the car. But getting there was not easy, as the road narrowed and the drops were sheer. There were also tractors and all those Fiat Panda 4x4’s that seem to be mandatory in these parts of Europe to contend with, therefore the safe opportunities to overtake were limited.

The F Type has an Active Exhaust system which can be made louder if you press a button near the gearshift. But even with it turned off, it is pretty noisy. Going back down the mountain roads it was crackling and popping all the time. When going through the small, sleepy villages we had to go extremely slowly, so as not to wake the locals from their siesta. I can imagine it would be very difficult creeping in and out of home late at night or early in the morning without annoying the neighbours. The exhaust has more crackle and pop than a box of Rice Krispies!  

The exterior is a masterpiece, so clever and so in proportion. It is difficult to decide which the best angle is. Is it looking at that long sexy nose or is it the rear with its one third haunch and one third rear door. It is such a lovely sight and so reminiscent of the E Type coupe. You can walk around the coupe many times (as we did) and every time you see something new in its styling and the more you like it, appreciating its design and flowing lines.

After driving the V6 S and the V8, the one I would choose, without any hesitation would be the V6 S. It is around £25,000 cheaper than the V8 R and offers just as much in terms of looks, design and quality, but still has more than enough power.

Jaguar sold 77,000 cars worldwide last year, its best year since 2005. In the next couple of years it will have more new models to add to its range: the “baby Jag” the XE and the large SUV. But despite ongoing success in North America and the UK, Jaguar is still relatively unknown in most of Europe. Breaking into that market with a competitor to the A4, 3 Series and C Class is not going to be easy for them. But the introduction of the “Halo” F Type will help them become more recognised.

Jaguar expects that the F Type convertible will take 40% of global sales and the coupe 60%.

Prices start from £51,235 for the F Type coupe with the 340ps engine, although we did not drive this car on the Press Launch. The V6 S is £60,235 and this model is expected to take 50% of sales. The V8 R is £85,000.

Combined MPG and CO2 emissions? Well, who cares when you are buying a powerful sports car!

Then it was back to Lleida airport for the 18 minute flight back to Barcelona, then the BA flight to Heathrow: A great couple of days with plenty of driving in this very British sports coupe.

Martin Ward, Manufacturer Relationship Manager