For many years Jag languished as rival brands surged in the sportscar segment. The Jaguar F-Type was a return to form for the once sporting brand. As a spiritual successor to the famed E-Type the company’s sportscar for the new century has been an absolute hit. Now we have the new Jaguar F-Type. Well, technically it’s a facelift.

New appearance

The new Jaguar F-Type retains the original model’s proportions and overall shape. Slim headlights with subtly updated daytime running lights, and sweeping direction indicators are the main changes up front. These blend into new clamshell bonnet. A new front bumper and enlarged grille deliver even more visual impact. At the rear new slender rear lights combine an LED chicane signature with monogram pattern detailing and a fine ‘pinstripe’ beneath.

Inside the cabin owners find a reconfigurable, high-definition, 12,3-inch interactive driver display, touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard and software-over-the-air functionality for updates

New mechanicals

The new Jaguar F-Type is available with a range of four- and eight-cylinder engines. For the most part the engines remain unchanged from the current range. A newly developed supercharged 5,0-litre V8 develops 331 kW with 580 N.m of torque. The engine is mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The model is available in rear- or all-wheel drive flavours. In both cases, the car accelerates from 0-96 km/h in 4,4 seconds with a top speed of 285 km/h.

An apex model, called F-Type R has a supercharged V8 that has been ramped up to 423 kW with 700 N.m of torque. The (UK) benchmark 0-96 km/h sprint takes just 3,5 seconds. Maximum speed is electronically-limited to 300 km/h. The F-Type R’s increased power is harnessed an uprated suspension. New, wider, 20-inch, 10-spoke wheels are controlled by new adaptive dampers, revised spring rates, anti-roll bars and stiffer rear knuckles and ball joints.