By Staff Reporter

After being with us for seven years and receiving a mild update along its life cycle, Jaguar has given its much loved gentleman’s 1+1 sports car, the Jaguar F-type, an aggressive refresh new look and now available on local soil.

A fitting aggressive look for the prancing cat

Much of the change in the updated Jaguar F-Pace is prominent upfront. New super-slim pixel LED headlights with J-blade daytime running lights and optional sweeping turn indicators, which look similar to those seen on Jaguar’s refreshed XE, give the F-Type a more aggressive stance. Sitting in between those is a new subtly enlarged hexagonal meshed grille finished in gloss black and model-specific signature graphics placed on lower portion of the bold, more sculpted front-bumper which is fitted with a splitter. A new clamshell bonnet has more efficient air vents which feeds air into the engine.

New side vents with leaper graphics are placed on the fenders. Also new to the Jag are stunning diamond turn dual-tone 10-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels which can be fitted with carbon ceramic matrix brakes saving 21 kg in unsprang mass.

The slimline theme continues at the rear where slender Chicane signature LED lights with Jaguar heritage Monogram pattern extends around the rear haunches. If you order the V8 R, the quad exhausts will come with the R logo etched onto each tailpipe. The F-Type will also come with optional Black Pack which will give a gloss black finish to the F-Type badges.

A digital driver focused cockpit

The 1+1 driver focused cabin has a 12.3-inch reconfigurable HD TFT instrument cluster and Touch Pro infotainment system. The luxurious cabin uses quality materials like Sienna Tan Windsor Leather, Suedecloth, Alcantara, and satin-finish Noble Chrome, while twin-needle contrast stitching and monogram stitching on the seats and door trims highlights Jaguar’s craftsmanship.

The growl of a British cat

Three engine options are available to South African customers:

P300 RWD Automatic

Engine: Ingenium 2-litre four-cylinder Turbocharged petrol

Power: 221 kilowatts

Torque: 400Nm

0-100 km/h: 5.7 seconds

Top speed: 250 km/h

P380 RWD / AWD Automatic

Engine: Supercharged 3.o-litre V6

Power: 280 kilowatts

Torque: 460Nm

0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds

Top speed: 275 km/h

R P575 AWD Automatic

Engine: Supercharged 5-litre V8 petrol

Power: 423 kilowatts

Torque: 700 Nm

0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds

Available throughout the first year of production is a special First Edition version of the P380 all-wheel drive exclusively. The First Edition adds 20” Diamond Turned alloys, ‘First Edition’ scripting on the door tread plates and aluminium instrument panel finisher and Windsor leather Performance seats in a choice of Ebony with Light Oyster stitching or Mars Red with Flame stitching. The First Edition is available in three colours – Fuji White, Santorini Black or Eiger Grey.

The F-TYPE R is fitted as standard with large 380mm and 376mm front and rear brake discs, but can be specified with Jaguar’s optional Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) braking system. Featuring even larger 398mm and 380mm discs and six- and four-piston monobloc calipers with a distinctive yellow finish, this system delivers exceptional braking performance with outstanding fade resistance.

A set of specially-developed Pirelli P Zero tyres, 265/35/ZR20 and 305/30/ZR20 in size, are 10mm wider than before and provide exceptional levels of grip. These are paired to new 10-spoke, 20-inch wheels in Gloss Black with contrast Diamond-Turned finish and are exclusive to the new F-TYPE R.

All three engines feature active exhaust systems, which are switchable either as an option or as standard. Customers who choose the 423kW supercharged V8 benefit from the new Quiet Start function, which ensures a more subtle, refined sound – the electrically-actuated bypass valves in the rear silencer remain closed until they automatically open up under load. If desired, Quiet Start can be over-ridden by selecting Dynamic Mode or by pressing the switchable exhaust button before starting the engine.

Pricing

The new F-Type is priced as follows:

F-TYPE R-Dynamic P300 RWD                     R1,243,000

F-TYPE R-Dynamic P380 RWD                     R1,513,700

F-TYPE R-Dynamic P380 AWD                     R1,659,300

F-TYPE First Edition                                       R1,659,300

F-TYPE R P575 AWD                                    R2,422,700

Convertible prices:

F-TYPE R-Dynamic P300 RWD                     R1,241,000

F-TYPE R-Dynamic P380 RWD                     R1,511,800

F-TYPE R-Dynamic P380 AWD                     R1,652,800

F-TYPE First Edition                                       R1,652,800

F-TYPE R P575 AWD                                    R2,421,000