2015 Jaguar F-Type Coupe: A Regal Beast with Sharper Claws

LLEIDA, Catalonia – Last year, Jaguar launched its first real sports car in more than half a century. The F-Type, a perfectly modern convertible featuring an all-aluminum shell, is the esteemed descendent of a timeless icon, the sublime E-Type.

Unfortunately the first F was unveiled at the same time as another sports car, whose ancestor happened to be celebrating its 60th anniversary. Despite its strengths, the new Jaguar simply could not get noticed in the shadow of the Corvette Stingray, whose price-to-performance ratio is enough to make most sports and exotic cars nervous.

• Also: Jaguar Will Build the Missing Lightweight E-Types
• Also: Up Close and Personal with the 2014 Jaguar F-Type

Designed in heaven

That’s all old news now, however, as Jaguar introduces a second F-Type, this time with even more bite—and more sex appeal to boot. This new series includes a more powerful and more ferocious vehicle that should worry the hot shots of the sports car world.

The arrival of the F-Type Coupe comes as no real surprise. Everyone knew that the noble British brand would round out the family, just as it had done in the past with the E-Type. What’s remarkable, however, is that this hard-top F-Type’s lines match up—to the millimetre—with those of the C-X16 concept that was showcased at the Frankfurt Motor Show in fall of 2011.

Featuring the rounded edges of the F-Type Convertible and the same silhouette that earned the Design of the Year award from an international jury, this vehicle has also been given a plunging roofline that flows neatly towards the back.

The F-Type Coupe looked terrific when it premiered at the Los Angeles Auto Show. It’s pretty in pictures too, but it’s absolutely magnificent to see in person—and especially in motion. The view is particularly nice from the back, which is the angle preferred by Wayne Burgess, stylist and studio director. And with good reason. The soul of the E-Type has been revived for the 21st Century, without the slightest retro aspect to it. You might call it a work of fine automotive art.

As solid as a pyramid

The streamlined pillars flank a large composite power hatch (a smart decision by Jaguar). Under the hatch is a 407-litre cargo hold that is infinitely more practical than the Convertible’s tiny trunk. Just behind it, a rectangular spoiler is deployed at 110 km/h and retracts at less than 80 km/h. It may not be pretty, but it can reduce lift by 120 kg. In fact, the vehicle’s top speed is also diminished if the spoiler is not up.

The side panels are made with a single cold-pressed aluminum sheet. This technical feat is enhanced with extruded aluminum pillars. The coupe’s entire body is 80% more rigid than the F-Type Convertible, which was excellent to begin with. This makes the F-Type Coupe Jaguar’s most inflexible production vehicle to date, regardless of whether you choose the aluminum roof or optional panoramic glass roof. This is a blessing for road holding and overall comfort.

It’s also good for soundproofing the cabin, which comes with a familiar dashboard and controls. These aspects were already well done in the convertible models. However, the stitched black leather that swaths the dashboard, handles and door trim seems smoother and more opulent. But maybe that’s just the Coupe’s more plush interior affecting my judgement. On the downside, the large indicator dials are still too dark and don’t offer enough contrast.

A complete trio of athletes

The F-Type Coupe comes in three different versions, just like its convertible sibling. The first trim level is equipped with the F-Type Convertible’s 335-hp 3.0-litre supercharged V6, which sprints from 0-100 km/h in 5.3 seconds, and is paired to the same eight-speed automatic gearbox as the other versions. The brakes have 354 mm discs in front and 325 mm in rear, with silver calipers and standard 18-inch wheels.  

The S Coupe comes with 374 horsepower and can reach 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds using its launch control mechanism. This trim also gets a sport exhaust (for a markedly richer sound), a mechanical limited-slip differential, adjustable shocks and 380/325 discs. This vehicle’s standard 19-inch alloy wheels reveal black calipers.

But the leader of this pack is the R Coupe whose 5.0-litre V8 delivers 542 horsepower—which is 50 ponies more than the V8 S Convertible. This is enough power to shoot the vehicle to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds and charge from 80 to 120 km/h in 2.4 seconds. Thanks to the Coupe’s more rigid shell, it was possible to also firm up the suspension by 4.3% in front and 3.7% in back, compared to the V8 S Convertible.

The R Coupe’s steering is the most responsive ever seen on a production Jaguar, and the brakes have 380 and 376 mm discs with either red or black calipers.

Buyers also have the option of equipping the R or S Coupe with carbon brakes, which weigh 21 kg less, despite the fact that they have 398/380 mm discs squeezed by yellow calipers with six and four pistons respectively.

V6s are more refined and less expensive

For the F-Type Coupes with V6 engines, the engineers hoped to ensure the same level of road handling as the equivalent convertibles, according to Lead Developer Peter Bingham. But they did better than that. On the odd rough section of Catalonian road, the S Coupe’s suspension effortlessly mitigated any gaps or protrusions, thanks to its more rigid body. And its fine and precise steering totally eliminated any jolts and bumps. Better than the Convertible.

However, you have to activate Dynamic mode, which heightens the accelerator and tightens both the suspension and steering for improved handling. It also accentuates the husky sound of the V6’s acceleration and its massive hiccups whenever you manually shift gears or release the accelerator. An absolute thrill.

Jaguar didn’t bring us the F-Type model that we had hoped to drive—the more affordable one—as it had done when it launched the convertible last year. The base coupe is priced at $72,900, while the base convertible is $76,900. Meanwhile, the F-Type S Coupe, which is more powerful and comes with extra equipment, costs $84,900, which is still $4,000 less than the V6 S Convertible.

Spectacular R Coupe

While we love the V8 S Convertible despite its heavy front end and the fact that it rolls a little on corners, the F-Type R Coupe doesn’t need to make any excuses. With its concrete body, firm and perfectly adjusted suspension, and new system that nullifies understeer while individually braking the interior wheels, it tackles corners with the same appetite as a wild cat (fitting for its name and emblem!). It’s never too loose, never too light, even when Dynamic mode is not engaged.

Driving along the marvellous roads of Catalonia and the 5.3-km circuit (designed by none other than Hermann Tilke and driver Pedro de la Rosa) in the Aragon region, the R Coupe proved time and again that it belongs to a very select group of sports cars. We were always wanting to step on the accelerator, just so we could enjoy the raging and bewitching music coming from its two exhausts, or to apply the brakes so that we could feel them bite down furiously.

With 501.5 lb.-ft. of torque, an electronic limited-slip differential and wider tires, its acceleration is fierce and its passing manoeuvers electric. On the track, you have to use your right foot sparingly when coming out of corners, otherwise the tail end sways easily, as is the case in other super-powerful front-engine vehicles with rear-wheel drive. On the highway, the anti-skid system keeps watch. It is perfectly confident at all times.

The F-Type R Coupe takes just 7:39 to complete the Nürburgring circuit, which is 6 seconds less than the XJ220, Jaguar’s mid-engine supercar. from the '90s. There’s no reason to doubt it. On the highway, at measured speeds, the vehicle’s comfort, smoothness and quiet ride are all exemplary, meeting the standards of the finest grand tourers. The handling is firm but never harsh, and the seats are very enveloping.

Jaguar has priced its F-Type R Coupe at $109,900, which is $9,000 more than the V8 S Convertible. And for all the aforementioned reasons, as well as its dazzling exterior, it’s worth every penny.