Al Tayer Motors brings Jaguar’s all Aluminium, two-seater convertible to Dubai.
Caption: Three variants of the Jaguar F-type are available – F-TYPE, F-TYPE S and the F-TYPE V8 S.
I have only seen pictures of the E-Type, the legendary Jaguar Sports Car that, according to legend and hearsay, Enzo Ferrari described as the most beautiful car to be ever made. All that happened long before me. So, when I got the chance to catch the first glimpse of the F-Type in ‘flesh’, it was like meeting a teenage infatuation who you thought of going on the knees for, some day. Anyway, at Meydan Hotel last week, I did hold on to my camera and senses, even as my knees did show signs of weakness.
The Jaguar F-Type is built on a shortened chassis of the XK and is one car that got its convertible version designed before the coupe.
Front-engined with a rear-wheel drive, Jaguar says the F-TYPE is engineered to deliver ‘pure dynamic driving reward and stunning performance’. It certainly looked the part. I remembered what some journo had said about its stance with the elevated hood and beltline – it does look a bit like it’s wearing a turtleneck. But in a stylish, signature way!
The Jag sheds its hoodwear or pulls it back in a gracefully dramatic 12 seconds.
A new 3.0-litre V6, developed from Jaguar’s highly acclaimed 5.0-litre V8, is available in either 335 hp or 375 hp variants, powering the F-TYPE and F-TYPE S respectively. A new V8 engine produces 488 hp and 625Nm of torque in the F-TYPE V8 S model, and leaps to 0-100km in 4.3 seconds. This Jaguar isn’t allowed to speed beyond 300kmph.
In the F-type, Jaguar’s rigid and lightweight aluminium architecture finds its latest expression, ideally balancing weight distribution to fully explore the rear-wheel drive dynamics.
The rest of the feral family is fast too. The F-TYPE S with its 380PS V6 covers the 0-100km sprint in 4.9 seconds, with a top speed of 275kmph, while the 340PS V6 F-TYPE does it in 5.3 seconds and touches 260 kmph. The smaller (smaller?!) engines should be good enough – less CO2 emissions as well!
In true sports car style, the boot doesn’t care for more than a golf pack!
All engines drive through an ZF eight-speed ‘Quickshift’ transmission, while a centrally mounted SportShift selector facilitates full manual sequential control, besides through the steering wheel-mounted paddles. All-aluminium double wishbone front and rear suspension systems add to its sporty spirit, along with adaptive damping. ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Emergency Brake Assist come as standard.
And the music – within the cabin – is played by Jaguar’s favourite band – Meridien speaker system that is found in the Range Rover.
So, how much does the new sports car from Jaguar cost? AED 289,000 onwards, and that goes up to AED for the S-versions.
