Over the years, many amazing cars have caught our eye. But only one earned Enzo Ferraris praise as the most beautiful car ever made. That car was the Jaguar E-Type.
Mr. Ferrari wasnt the only one to appreciate the iconic Jags look. In 1996, the New York City Museum of Modern Art added a blue roadster to its permanent design collection.
Interesting fact, however, is that Sir William Lyons the co-founder of Jaguar was completely underwhelmed by the finished product. He didnt like the look of the backend and didnt think it would sell. He couldnt have been more wrong. When the E-Type was unveiled to the public at the Geneva Motor Show in 1961 it created a sensation.
Unfortunately, it has been 40 years since the last E-type was made. No Jaguar since (arguably no car) has stirred up the emotions like the E-Type had. Jaguar is hoping to end that with its spiritual successor, the F-Type.
Ian Callum, a highly respected car designer and current director of design at Jaguar, oversaw the design. And while the new F-Type is intended to recreate the soul of the legendary E-Type, it is not just a retro re-make it is a truly revolutionary design that is fresh, aggressive, and simply beautiful.
This is a truly modern sports car with an all-aluminium body. The long hood and short rear deck give the F-Type proper roadster proportions, and its grill and air intakes are more aggressive than any Jaguar before.
Callum aimed to create a car that was as sleek and as smooth as jets. To that end, there are no protruding door handles or rear wing and the spoiler remains flush until you reach 100 km/h.
The F-Type is available in four variations, each having unique styling cues. The base model is available as a coupe or convertible. The F-Type S, also available in coupe of convertible trim, is a bit more aggressive with gloss-black accents, a front splitter, rear diffuser, and 19-inch wheels. The F-Type V8 S is only available as a convertible and the most visible difference is the exhaust tips doubling and moving outward. F-Type R models are only available in coupe form and boast exotic car levels of performance.
Jaguar wanted the F-type to be a fine handling car that would still maintain high level of refinement on the road. And they have achieved just that.
If you leave the driving settings in normal mode, its surprising smooth and comfortable. The hydraulic steering is sharp, but never twitchy and theres loads of grip.
If you want to play, put the suspension in dynamic mode. Then you can get that aggressive feel right into your hands it remains completely flat through the corners. Dynamic mode also quickens throttle response, makes steering heavier, and makes shifts from the excellent eight-speed gear box faster.
If youre driving a convertible and get tired of the wind in your hair, you can raise the fabric roof in 12 seconds. With it up, its surprisingly quiet that is unless you turn on the active exhaust.
The sound of this car is phenomenal. The exhaust note is so raw, its amazing it made it into production.
Each of the four versions of F-Type comes with its own supercharged engine. The showpiece F-Type R has a 5.0-litre V8 boasting 550 hp and can go from 0-100km/h in 4.1 seconds.
The V8 S also has a 5.0-litre V8. It produces 495 hp and can get to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds, which is plenty fast in a car without a roof.
The model most buyers will want is the F-Type S, with its 380 hp, 3.0-litre V6. It can still do 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds, but because the V6 is lighter than the V8, this car is not as nose heavy so its a bit sharper to drive.
The least glamorous is the base F-Type and its 340 hp, 3.0-litre V6. Its still fast enough (0-100km/h in 5.3 seconds), but it doesnt come with features like the configurable dynamic mode, active sports exhaust, or a limited slip differential.
The cabin is highly driver focused with its few auxiliary controls within easy reach.
The standard TFT display surrounded by race-inspired analogue dials in the instrument panel looks nice in this interior, although it looks a bit simplistic.
There are a few notable traits missing the first being chrome. Not only is it going out of fashion, but it can also be blinding when reflecting all of the sunlight pouring into a convertible. The ignition button, paddle shifters and driving mode toggle switch are finished in a nice anodized bronze colour.
The F-Type is not a cheap car, but when taken into consideration with all its features, its quite reasonable. Pricing starts at $76,900 for the base model, 88,900 for the S and $100,900 for the V8 S. Pricing for the R has not been released.
Standard equipment includes 8 inch colour touchscreen display, Bluetooth, Intelligent Start/Stop, keyless start, and rain sensing windshield wipers.
Additional features, available as options or on higher trims, include panoramic glass roof (coupe models only), heated windshield, heated steering wheel, heated seats, dual-zone climate control, reverse traffic sensor, blind spot monitor, rearview camera.
Fuel efficiency numbers (L/100km) for the base model V6 are 10.4 city, 7.1 highway, for 8.9 combined.
Few cars have been as eagerly anticipated as the F-Type. Thankfully, its blend of classic styling and modern performance and features make it worth the wait. The sound of the exhaust is worth the cost alone.
The infotainment system is a bit simplistic. Also, the lack of cargo space means this car cant even carry golf clubs.
The Bottom Line
The 2014 Jaguar F-Type is the embodiment of what a modern sports roadster should be, and no other car on the market matches its emotional appeal.
Porsche 911
No car on the market today can match the F-Types sense of occasion, but the Porsche 911 comes close. The current 911 is the standard by which all other sports cars are measured.
The 911 is available in an impressive fourteen models and ranges in price from $96,200 to $221,200.
Mercedes-Bens SL-Class
The SL-Class is all-new and is lighter, faster and more fuel efficient than the previous model. This results in a sharper drive but focus is still on comfort and the SL is the most comfortable two-seat convertible on the market.
This luxury doesnt come cheap as prices start at $123,400.
BMW 6 Series
The BMW 6 Series is a large luxury car loaded with high tech features. While its bulk makes long trips for front passengers enjoyable, the limited rear legroom in coupe and convertible models restricts its practicality as a four-seater.
The 6 Series comes in three models and ranges from $87,900 to $109,900.
