Talk about a fun week!
The stars and moon aligned with the delivery of Jaguar’s 2016 F-Type R Coupe and a well deserved week’s vacation.
It wasn’t the convertible version, but you won’t hear my complaining.
My F-Type, two-seater is Jaguar’s definitive full-size sports car: seductive design, stunning performance and amazing agility combine to create a world-class, luxury driving machine. The car received more rubber necks, long stares, thumbs ups and verbal praise from complete strangers than any other car I’ve driven in a decade.
“Our target with engineering the all-wheel drive F-Type was to maintain the engaging rear-drive character that’s so important to Jaguar sports car DNA, yet offer even greater dynamic capability,” Ian Hoblan, Jaguar’s Vehicle Line Director said. “The result is a controllable, exploitable and blisteringly fast performance car in all weather and road conditions.”
Amen to that.
Powered by a 5.0-liter super-charged V8 engine that generates 550 horsepower, couple with an eight-speed QuickShift transmission, instinctive all-wheel drive, adaptive dynamics suspension, electronic active differential and super performance braking system, the F-Type delivers bone chilling performance.
Capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.9 seconds, with a (limited) top speed of 186 miles per hour, to say this car will appeal to driving enthusiasts is the understatement of all understatements.
F-Type certainly looks and sounds the part – both are secondary, but almost as important as its performance. An aluminum clamshell bonnet gains a deeper central power bulge, with distinctive, new vents placed on either site. Unique, 20 inch forged “Storm” alloy wheels with yellow calipers command attention. And a spoiler magically ascends from the back when F-Type reaches 60 miles per hour, adding both form and function.
When the gas pedal is punched, the switchable active exhaust system, complete with four tailpipes, roars to life. For that matter, it screams when the start button is depressed. Staccato reminiscent of a Harley lets bystanders know this Jag means business.
The F-Type delivers 23 miles per gallon down the highway, and a trunk large enough to accommodate our stuff on several overnighters.
Operating on the torque-on-demand principle, the AWD system sends 100 percent of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels under normal driving conditions. This maintains the F-Type’s rear-wheel drive handling characteristics and also reduces parasitic power loss to drivetrain.
Inside, the F-Type was simple and comfortable. The seats were well bolstered, and adjustable to keep both driver and passenger in place. The driver’s seat was adjustable 14 different ways.
Creature comforts were highlighted by a touch-screen navigation system, rear parking camera, front and rear parking sensors, 770-watt Meridian sound system that was unbelievable, blind-spot monitoring and heated seats and steering wheel.
Alas, reality set in. My vacation ended. The Jaguar was unceremoniously picked up. Another test car delivered. But dreams of my week with the F-Type will continue to resurface for many months – maybe years – to come.
2016 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe
Base price: $106,600
As tested: $128,695
Base price includes destination charge. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. Prices may vary at local dealerships.
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