Jaguar F-Type

The F-Type is Jaguar’s quintessential two-door, two-seat sportscar. It’s available in coupe and convertible body styles and also across a wide price band. Engine options include a 300hp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and a 5.0-litre supercharged petrol V8 in 550hp R and 575hp SVR versions. Do note, only the 2.0 turbo-petrol gets rear-wheel drive; the supercharged V8s come with all-wheel drive as standard in India.

With its long bonnet and tight-fitting cabin, the F-Type sure has the right look. Unfortunately, it’s not quite as special on the inside. Sure, the cabin has a few cool touches like the vents that rise when you switch the car on, but that wow factor is missing. The F-Type’s seats are snug and the driving position is sporty. Boot space is fairly limited, more so in convertible versions.
With 300hp on call, the F-Type 2.0-litre is no slowcoach. Performance is actually quite good and even the sound is rich, as far as four-cylinder engines go. The F-Type 2.0-litre also handles with more precision than the heavier 5.0-litre versions. What the larger engines do is add a lot of speed, sound and drama to the F-Type experience. All-wheel drive has made it easier to put down the power too. Be realistic with your choice of rim size and the F-Type will even surprise you with its pliant ride. Just remember to account for the F-Type’s long, front overhang; it’s prone to scraping.

Money being no object, it’s the F-Type V8 R Coupe that would be our pick of the range. However, the V8s’ ever-inflating price tags are hard to digest. The far keener-priced Jaguar F-Type 2.0-litre Coupe makes for a sensible buy, if not the most evocative one.