By Barbara & Bill Schaffer
You can never accuse Jaguar of offering too few variations of their all-aluminum F-Type sports car. At last count the F-Type menu offered 24 variations including a coupe or convertible, rear- or all-wheel drive and six different engines.
We just spent a wonderful week driving the latest addition to the lineup, a special edition for the 2018 model year, call the F-Type 400 Sport Coupe.
Since its launch in 2012, the two-seater has firmly established itself as a strong competitor in its sports car segment and has won nearly 160 awards worldwide. The combination of seductive design, stunning performance and outstanding dynamics has always made the F-Type unique among sports cars.
?Great sports car design is about proportion and purity,? said Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar. ?The most challenging element of the process for designers is to focus on and maintain an exciting silhouette that promises performance. For the 2018 model year F-Type, we looked at how we could fine-tune key details to deliver even more clarity of purpose in the overall design ? for the driver, the passenger and onlookers.?
As great as the F-Type looks, it sounds even better. In standard trim it imparts a wonderful deep Jaguar growl, but with the available sports exhaust which opens the muffler baffles more, it snarls, snaps and crackles better than anything on the road.
The F-Type 400 Sport is powered by a high output version of the supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine ? producing a nice round 400 horsepower. The special edition also has an uprated chassis that includes massive front and rear brakes, Configurable Dynamics and 20-inch wheels with a unique Satin Dark Grey finish. According to Jaguar, the F-Type 400 makes a 0 to 60 mph run in 4.8 seconds, with a top speed of 171 mph. The EPA rates fuel economy at 18 mpg city, 26 mpg or 21 mpg combined. We averaged 19.6 mpg during our tests.
The 400 Sport models, which are available in Indus Silver, Santorini Black and Yulong White metallic exterior paint, are identified by Distinctive Yellow and Dark Satin Grey 400 SPORT badges on the rear of the car and on the front splitter. Interior design elements include 400 SPORT badging on the center console, flat bottom steering wheel, treadplates and embroidered headrests. Yellow contrast stitching is featured throughout the cabin.
Other F-Types are offered with a broad variety of engine types including a turbocharged four-cylinder, supercharged V-6s and supercharged V-8s. The 296 hp turbocharged four-cylinder is new for 2018. The lightweight (3,360 pounds) coupe comes only in rear-wheel drive with the eight-speed automatic transmission. The car is quick, making a 0 to 60 mph run in only 5.4 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph.
Bill has previously had an opportunity to drive the V-8 and V-6 versions of the F-Type on a race track and pronounced acceleration, handling and braking as outstanding. The Jaguar sports car is solid and well-balanced feel with a precise steering and a like running on rails feel. On the streets it is easy to drive, comfortable and totally civilized.
The trunk of the coupe will hold a generous 12.6 cubic feet of luggage when equipped with the Space Saver Spare Tire, but the convertible is limited to only 5.3 cubic feet.
Jaguar offers an interesting option that allows enthusiasts with the ability to capture and share their driving experiences using the new ReRun app developed in collaboration with GoPro ? the video camera company. ReRun combines real-time video from the driver?s GoPro camera and overlays key vehicle performance data including speed, throttle position, gear selection, braking force and g force.
Every F-Type now features the Jaguar InControl? Touch Pro? infotainment. This super-fast tablet-style screen allows someone to pinch-to-zoom and swipe to control navigation functions such as Share ETA and online services as real-time traffic and live weather reports and gives the driver tons of information.
Jaguar F-Type pricing starts at $61,745, including the destination charge for the four-cylinder coupe. The convertible is $3,100 more. All-wheel drive is $3,000 extra on the models that have it available. The 5.0-liter V-8 coupe is priced at $101,745 and the Supercharged SVR V-8 with AWD has a sticker of $123,745. Check all the available options and the SVR price goes to just over $142,000. The special edition 2018 Jaguar F-Type 400 Sport AWD we tested was priced at $93,495.
The Jaguar F-Type is unique. It?s not a car that you?ll see very often on the streets but when you do it?s a real head turner visually and by the impressive sounds it makes. It?s an easy car to drive and be comfortable in, even for long distances. Other than being low to the ground, it?s easy to get in and out of. This is a car that can easily double as a daily driver and a weekend racer. Learn more about the Jaguar F-Type at https://www.jaguarusa.com.
