You can think of the 2018 Jaguar F-Type as the point where performance meets luxury. But what’s more important is whether they bond together harmoniously. The two-seater coupe brings you the best of both flavors with the availability of a hard or soft top and even three engines to choose from: a V4, V6, or the luscious V8 producing 550 horsepower on the R model, and 575 horsepower with the highest SVR performance tuned trim.
But what separates the 2018 F-Type from the rest of the pack is its unique all-aluminum monocoque chassis design that ups the performance scorecards in the weight and stiffness category.
EXQUISITE EXTERIOR
The 2018 Jaguar F-Type is perhaps best described as a refined piece of art on wheels. Don’t get overly excited though – its silhouette and sculpturing doesn’t quite match that of a supercar, but its luscious styling and the smooth and flowing lines certainly bring a lot of excitement to onlookers.
Jaguar also allows you to configure the F-Type’s rooftop in either a basic aluminum roof, a panoramic glass, or a carbon fiber roof top. A single dual exhaust tip is shared among the base, R-Dynamic model. Moving up the trim ladder into the R model equipped with the V8 gets you dual twin-pipe exhaust tips and the highest SVR trim is perhaps where Jaguar establishes its signature identity with a dual tone body color and matt black finish rear wings, hood vents and front and rear carbon fiber lower diffusers.
The interior of the 2018 Jaguar F-Type is sleek, clean and ultra modern, which has always been a signature trait of the Jaguar brand in our books. Plush quilted leather seats along with a soft leather wrapped interior, meticulously polished chrome finishing, and the contemporary styling of the adjustable air vents are things to appreciate in either seat of the F-Type.
SPORTY PERFORMANCE
Even the smallest inline turbocharged V4 puts out 29hp, but the more power is usually always the merrier. At the expense of fuel consumption, the supercharged V6 puts out 340hp and 332 lb.ft of torque. It probably goes without saying that where the ultimate fun starts is with the lusty 5.0 V8 engine. Two variants are available with the base F-Type R outputting 550hp and 502 lb.ft of torque while the top of the line F-Type SVR bumps it up to 575hp with modified performance tuning.
All engine configurations have what’s called an Active Sound Exhaust that dynamically opens and closes the exhaust valve based on the vehicle speed, throttle response and engine RPM to create a more dynamic and livelier driving experience that pleases the ears.
That brings us to the next point. Our tester model comes equipped with the turbocharged V4. Certainly, the power output and acceleration is there, but there’s no escaping from the laws of physics when it comes to turbo lag awaiting the spools to build up pressure. Still, the non-linearity was well managed by the engine controller to dampen the effect. It really boils down to getting into the supercharged V6, or naturally aspirated V8 to squeeze out the best of the 2018 F-Type.
Add the enlarged 355mm front and 325mm rear brakes and a standard all-wheel drive-train system to the bag of performance tricks. In road translation, the F-Type responds well to steering feedback and delivers confident road handling. There is also torque vectoring working diligently to achieve obedient cornering at higher speeds.
FINAL THOUGHTS
There’s much to like about the 2018 Jaguar F-Type beginning with the sleek and elegant looks to powerful and controlled performance. The rumbling Active Sports Exhaust delivers a supercar-inspired crescendo, while the roof opens in under 12 seconds providing open air to the passengers held firmly in place by the plush and luxurious leather seats. At a starting price of $69,500, the 2018 F-Type delivers some very real and unique pleasure to ALL your senses!
