Summary
- The Jaguar F-Type is a V-8 sports car that still delivers impressive engine noise, making it stand out in a market dominated by downsized engines and stricter emissions regulations.
- While the F-Type may not offer the same level of driving precision as the Porsche 718 Cayman/Boxster, it compensates with more character and noise, appealing to those who prioritize attitude and charisma.
- With Jaguar's transition to luxury electric vehicles, the F-Type will likely be one of the last true V-8 sports cars from the brand, making it a unique and worthwhile option for enthusiasts seeking a premium and powerful driving experience.
Just recently, we wrote an article about why now is the perfect time to buy a V-8 sports car. Unsurprisingly, ever-stricter emissions regulations have brought twelve-cylinder engines (such as V-12s and W-12s) into a slow crawl to the grave, and the next casualty it seems is V-8 engines. As of the moment, there's a good amount of V-8-powered sedans, coupes, SUVs, and sports cars left in the market, but the two-door coupe and sports car segment is what's suffering the most both in terms of available models and sales numbers. One of the reasons you want a V-8 sports car is because of its engine note, and here's one you've probably forgotten about, but whose voice is as loud as its actions.
Say Hello Once Again To An Old British Friend: 2024 Jaguar F-Type
Remember the Jaguar F-Type? If there's one car that you'd probably buy solely because of its V-8, it would be this car. When it was first released for the 2014 model year, the F-Type came in standard trim, the V-6 S and the V-8 S. An even more potent R model came later, but the V-6 S and V-8 S variants were already raucous. The V-6 S was already loud, but the V-8 S and subsequently the R model that came in the following model year was even more wild. Simply put, this is one of the best-sounding V-6 and V-8 engines even to this day.
The V-8 S and R models came with the famous AJ series (AJ133) 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 that also did duty to even more potent versions of the F-Type, namely the F-Type SVR and the Project 7 with its bold rear aero haunches. Like the original V-8 S and R models, the exhaust notes of these models were even louder--probably already at the limits of what is considered road-legal in most markets.
Today, however, the F-Type range has been trimmed down, and for the United States, what you get is
- P450 R-Dynamic
- P450 F-Type 75
- P575 F-Type R75
In a weird twist of things, Jaguar Land Rover vehicles implemented the PXXX or DXXX nomenclature just recently, with "P" or "D" denoting whether it was gasoline or diesel, respectively, while the numbers represent the vehicle's metric horsepower (measured in PS).
Anyhow, all of these three variants come with the AJ133 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 in various states of tune. The P450 models produced 444 horsepower (450 PS) and 428 pound-feet of torque, while the P575 came with 567 horsepower (which, as you guessed it, is 575 PS), and 516 pound-feet of torque.
For the United States, your only transmission choice is a ZF eight-speed automatic, while power is sent through a standard all-wheel drive (AWD) system. This AWD system is rear-wheel drive (RWD) by default but sends power to the front wheels depending on the driving habits and road conditions.
Where Words Are Louder Than Their Actions: Jagauar's Supercharged V-8 Fury
Arguably one of the key selling points of the Jaguar F-Type is the sheer amount of noise it makes. When this car debuted in 2013, the promotional video, which was created with Lana Del Ray in the film, was filled with all the right kinds of drivetrain and engine noises. In fact, the film's sound profile is probably 90 percent engine noise and 10 percent Lana Del Ray and whatever noises are there in the driving scenes. When this car debuted, it was one of my instant favorite sports cars during its time.
Now in 2023, somehow the F-Type has faded into the background, but as global emissions regulations get tougher, the F-Type is a sports car that deserves your attention. The noise it makes, though, isn't as loud as in 2014, but compared to most cars today, the F-Type is like your typical high school jock. Outgoing, charismatic, and one that's truly extroverted in its personality.
But the F-Type isn't just great when it comes to noise--though that's still a major reason I would get one. The F-Type handles extremely well, and while the mid-engined 718 Boxster or Cayman is still the better sports car dynamically speaking, the F-Type has more attitude and charisma compared to the Porsche. And you know what, it's not like the gap between the two sports cars dynamically is large.
This basically leaves you with a question. If you want a sports car that, in terms of handling, is right there on top, then that would be the 718 Cayman and Boxster. Otherwise, if you're willing to sacrifice a tiny bit of driving precision in exchange for more character and noise, then the F-Type certainly makes a strong case for itself. Now, to help you decide which is indeed better, here's a handy chart for you to utilize and decide whether you should go for the 718 or the F-Type.
Jaguar F-Type Vs. Competition
F-Type P450 | 718 Cayman/Boxster | F-Type P575 | 718 Cayman S/Boxster S | 718 Cayman/Boxster GTS 4.0 | |
Engine | 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 | 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine | 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 | 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine | 4.0-liter six-cylinder boxer engine |
Layout | Front engine, all-wheel drive | Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive | Front engine, all-wheel drive | Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive | Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive |
Horsepower | 444 hp | 296 hp | 567 hp | 345 hp | 395 hp |
Torque | |||||
Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 6-speed manual, 7-speed dual-clutch | 8-speed automatic | 6-speed manual, 7-speed dual-clutch | 6-speed manual, 7-speed dual-clutch |
0-60 mph | 4.4 sec. | 4.9 sec. (MT), 4.7 sec. (DCT) | 3.5 sec. | 4.4 sec. (MT), 4.2 sec. (DCT) | 4.3 sec. (MT), 3.8 sec. (DCT) |
Top speed | 177 mph | 171 mph | 186 mph | 177 mph | 179 mph (MT), 182 mph (DCT) |
Base MSRP | $77,900 | $68,300 | $113,000 | $80,300 | $95,200 |
Here's another factor why you'd probably want to consider the F-Type. With a base price of $77,900, you can already get a V-8 sports car as opposed to the 718 Cayman S/Boxster S, which still utilizes a four-cylinder boxer engine at its price point.
The F-Type Is The Last True Jaguar
With mostly downsized engines in the market right now, the F-Type will definitely be one of the last V-8 sports cars out there and the last true Jaguar. The latter one, however, is already confirmed. Jaguar's electrification plans include transforming its brand into a maker of just luxury electric vehicles (EVs) that are set to be more upmarket than today's models.
In fact, it's moving upmarket, transforming into an electric Bentley competitor of sorts. Now, that isn't the Jaguar you knew throughout history. From cars like the E-Type and the XJ220, Jaguar has been mostly about performance. Sure, its future rival Bentley is also focused on performance, but not in a way that is as raw or as visceral as how Jaguar has been for most of its modern history.
Moving forward, Jaguar's upmarket path towards electrification will probably mean more big sedans and GTs (and probably big SUVs, too) and fewer compact sports cars. It also probably means straying away from the roots of the beautiful E-Type and focusing more on bigger cars like the Bentley Flying Spur and Continental GT.
It's all the more why the Jaguar F-Type is a vehicle that's worth considering if you're in the market for a premium sports car--especially one that has a V-8. You've probably forgotten about the F-Type, but it hasn't forgotten to be what it was and always will be--a two-seater sports car whose voice is probably louder than its actions.