Snarling and sultry switchback scalpel

Quick on the heels of last year’s lusty F-Type convertible, Jaguar have just launched the even more seductive fixed-head coupe version. Essentially a road-going version of the 2011 C-X16 concept car unveiled in Frankfurt to much acclaim, the F-Type Coupe is a classy yet authentic sports car that sets out to re-assert Jaguar’s sporting credentials. Hinting at, but not openly aping, the classic 1960s Jaguar E-Type, the F-Type Coupe is lighter, quicker, stiffer and more focused than its convertible sister. Offered with three supercharged engine options including two three-litre V6 sand a five-litre V8, of which the featured mid-range 375BHP V6 F-Type S Coupe delivers the best compromise of performance, price, efficiency and handling finesse.  

Curves in the right places

Built on a light and stiff riveted aluminium frame that keeps weight reasonably light despite a full complement of safety, luxury and infotainment gadgets, the F-Type Coupe’s fixed head roof makes it 20kg lighter but more structurally rigid than the convertible version. Stretched tightly over its frame, the F-Type Coupe’s light aluminium body is an evocatively emotive design that uses few but large panels to reduce gaps for the sake of aesthetics and aerodynamics. With wide track, short overhangs long wheelbase within a compact frame to provide stability and agility, the F-Type Coupe looks hunkered down and ready to lunge forward, and looks particularly athletic with optional black alloy wheels and orange paint, as tested.

Even better looking in coupe form the F-Type’s roof flowingly arcs to a tapered fastback rear, which fluidly complements its muscularly wide shoulders and with short, stubby and ridged deck underlined by slim, horizontally long and moody rear lights, is juxtaposed to and complements the long snouty bonnet. Lusty and toned, the F-Type Coupe’s is athletic and tightly bound, but with curves in all the right places, and strikes the right chord between overtly sporty details and more voluptuous bonnet bulge and Coke-bottle hips. A fluid and sensual design that is both contemporary yet rooted in classic and evocative sports car proportions, the F-Type Coupe is a consistent, flowing and holistically balanced and integrated design.      

Snap, crackle and pop

With wide, low and hungry wire-mesh grille, front air splitter, shark-like bumper gills, side ports and bonnet extractors, the F-Type S Coupe’s powerful supercharged three-litre V6 engine sits low and is set well back in the long low-slung bonnet. With ideal within wheelbase front-mid engine weight distribution, the F-Type S Coupe drives the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox and limited-slip differential. Developing 375BHP at 6,500rpm and 339lb/ft torque throughout 3,500-5,000rpm, the 1,594kg S Coupe rips through the 0-100km/h acceleration benchmark in 4.9-seconds and onto an electronically-governed 275km/h top speed. With an efficient direct injection engine and well-distributed gear ratios, the S Coupe returns low combined cycle 9.1L/100km fuel economy and 213g/km Carbon dioxide emissions. 

With mechanically driven Roots-type supercharger providing force induction, the S Coupe launches off-the-line with instant responsiveness and eagerly and progressively lunges through to its 6,500rpm maximum, all the while underwritten by flexibly muscular mid-range torque. Punchy, consistently surging and indefatigable on the move, the S Coupe voraciously tears through revs and dispatches 80-120km/h in just 3.1-seconds. Pulling cleanly and confidently in low revs when cruising, the S Coupe however becomes electrifyingly eager after snapping down a couple of gears and leaning hard on the throttle. With active exhausts amplifying its soundtrack, the S Coupe has a distinctly more snarling, raspy and metallic tinge to its popping, crackling, barking, growling and urgently howling repertoire, than its bassier V8-powered sisters.

Masterful maneuvers

The stiffest production Jaguar ever, the F-Type Coupe structural rigidity translates into enhanced handling precision as suspension and steering operation is less corrupted. With classic front-drive rear-drive balance and direct, quick and connected feeling steering the S Coupe feline grace and crisp nimbleness, while taut and sophisticated double wishbone suspension with intuitively active damping that firms up for corners and becomes supple for straights, the S Coupe carves corners with scalpel precision. Controlled, poised and flat through corners, the ferocious F-Type S Coupe’s big footprint and sticky rear tyres provide tenacious dry weather traction, which can be further exploited by its exacting throttle control to smoothly dial in power by corner apex to slingshot onto a straight.   

Eager through corners, the S Coupe is a masterful instrument on winding switchbacks, where its mechanical limited-slip rear differential aids traction and grip by apportioning power to the driven wheel best able to put it down. Textured and nuanced, the S Coupe’s chassis well communicates position and limits, and while wet conditions reduce grip, the S Coupe is nevertheless undaunting and rewarding — one does need smoother and more measured throttle application and a taller gear to ward off waywardness and stability control intervention. Using a traditional torque converter for smoothness early gear changes, the F-Type’s gearbox also uses locking clutches for subsequent gears for seamlessly swift shifts. Gearbox and throttle responsiveness sharpen up in ‘dynamic’ modes.

Thrilling thoroughbred

Through relentless rain and heady winds in the Spanish Aragon region, the low-slung F-Type S Coupe was unfazed, ever-ready to overtake slow traffic and faithfully stable, with automatically rising rear spoiler providing down force to keep it pinned down. With a connected driving experience, intimate cabin and evocative soundtrack, the S Coupe had a certain old world charm at the core of its high tech package. Smooth but firm riding, the S Coupe settled more concisely on rebounds from sudden crests, dips and expansion joints when in its suspension’s firmer damping sport mode during brisk drives. However, at lower urban speeds, its more default damper settings were more forgiving and pliant over lumps, bumps and cracks.

Glamorous and athletic, the F-Type S Coupe is a thoroughbred and luxurious sports car. With its fixed-head roof increasing its rigidity and reducing body flex, the S-Type Coupe benefits from excellent noise, vibration and harshness isolation, while another upshot of its fastback body is that luggage space doubles to 407 litres. With an extensive adjustable chunky contoured sports steering wheel and supportively body-hugging sports seats, driving position is relaxed and alert. While head, leg and shoulder space are comfortable, the added versatility of adjustable headrests would have been welcome. Finished with quality leathers with contrasting stitching and real metals, the classy and extensively kitted F-Type S Coupe also features ergonomic and stylishly presented dials, controls and infotainment unit. 

Specifications

Engine: 3-litre, aluminum block/head, supercharged, V6-cylinders

Bore x stroke: 84.5 x 89mm

Compression ratio: 10.5:1

Valve-train: 32-valve, DOHC, continuously variable valve timing, direct injection

Gearbox: 8-speed automatic, rear-wheel-drive, electronic limited-slip differential

Ratios: 1^st 4.714; 2^nd 3.143; 3^rd 2.106; 4^th 1.667; 5^th 1.285; 6^th 1.0; 7^th 0.839; 8^th 0.667

Final drive: 3.31

Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 375 (380) [280] @ 6,500rpm

Specific power: 125.2BHP/litre

Power -to-weight ratio: 235.2BHP/tonne

Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 339 (460) @ 3,500-5,000rpm

Specific torque: 153.6Nm/litre

Torque-to-weight ratio: 289Nm/tonne

0-100 km/h: 4.9 seconds

80-120km/h: 3.1 seconds

Top speed: 275km/h (electronically governed)

Fuel economy, combined: 9.1 litres/100km

Combined Carbon dioxide emissions: 213g/km

Fuel capacity: 72 litres

Length: 4,470mm

Width: 1,923mm

Height: 1,309mm

Wheelbase: 2,622mm

Track, F/R: 1,597 / 1,649mm

Boot capacity: 407 litres

Kerb weight: 1,594kg

Suspension, F&R: Double wishbone, coil springs, active dampers, stabiliser bars

Steering: Variable power assistance, hydraulic rack & pinion

Brakes, F/R: Ventilated discs, 380 / 376mm

Tyres, F/R: 255/35R20 / 295/30R20