Jaguar F-TYPE 2014 Review

Jaguar says its new F-TYPE represents a return to the company’s heart. That it epitomises the British brand’s 75-year lineage of creating thrilling, beautiful and desirable sports cars.

Building on all that know-how, you’d reckon the F-TYPE’s low-slung, dynamic and powerful presence should be the embodiment of everything a bona fide roadster represents. And in true Jaguar form would be capped with all the luxurious trimmings we’ve come to expect.

But does the F-TYPE live up to its manufacturer’s hyperbole?

The short answer is, yes.

Firstly, a roadster should look the part. It’s all about proportions. A long bonnet, short rump, wide stance and seating strictly for two. It should have style, curves in the right places, and be almost timeless in its sculpture. On these fronts, the F-TYPE delivers in spades.

Then there’s the question of cabin accoutrement. A roadster should be functional and well-dressed, but not over the top or garish. It should reflect the technology of the day without being overwhelming. After all, roadsters are built for driving and enjoyment. Again, the F-TYPE ticks all the boxes.

Sure, we would have liked a Mercedes-Benz-style AIRSCARF and perhaps a little more wind blocking. But the comfort-to-equipment ratio is just fine. The technology all works well, and the fact that the roof can be operated at speeds up to 50km/h is a bonus many in the category omit. We’d also like more boot storage. With the spare wheel in situ, the cargo area is practically useless. You can’t even pack an overnight bag.

But it’s the on-road performance of the F-TYPE that impresses most. Bar a little scuttle shake, the F-TYPE is near-perfect. The balance from front to rear, the crisp, rapid power delivery and the silky eight-speed auto combine to make driving a delight. It’s even better that the V6 S offers a hearty exhaust note that shrieks and crackles as you pop through gears. Mind you, the switchable system is a cost option totalling $260.

And while that particular option may be chicken feed in a car costing $171,045.10, the option list fitted to our test car was a little excessive – and, arguably, many of these features should have been standard.

Between the performance seats, dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers a ‘special paint charge’, and 13 other items, the F-TYPE on test tallied $205,480.10 – and that’s before on-road costs!

Though just how the cost of this car affects the enjoyment to be had in it is largely trivial. The thrill of piloting a 280kW supercharged roadster down an open road at full noise sure does account for a lot; especially when you consider just how wonderful the F-TYPE is to drive.

The other downside to the F-TYPE, excusing the small boot, is the rattly sound of the engine. We’ve driven the V6 and V6 S now, and both have presented as mechanically noisy, almost tappety, and it’s not just injector noise. The dealer told us that Jaguar has already replaced one F-TYPE engine, which doesn’t bode well. Perhaps there’s more classic Jaguar in the F-TYPE than we thought!

But were the car not put through its paces with each loan, and were run-in with the care and attention an owner would likely pay, things may be a little different. As a head-turning model with striking lines and a powerful voice, the new F-TYPE roadster is quintessentially Jaguar, and with any luck, a taste of even better things to come.

What we liked:
>> Sonorous exhaust note
>> Silky power delivery
>> Superb balance

Related reading:
Jaguar F-TYPE international launch review
Jaguar F-TYPE local launch review
Then and now: Jaguar F-TYPE and E-Type

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site