In honor of Jaguar’s rich petrol history, I spent a week this summer with the latest version of the F-Type R in roadster guise.
This gave me the opportunity to say goodbye to one of the automotive world’s most long-lived engines, in the form of Jaguar’s V8 that was launched back in the late 90s.
In the latest F-Type R, the engine is 5.0 liters, and thanks to a compressor develops a whopping 575 horsepower. To make the equipment more controllable, the power is sent to all four wheels through an old-fashioned automatic gearbox.
An old-fashioned feel
The drivetrain in the F-Type R, with its aging engine, compressor and automatic transmission, is a rather old-fashioned set-up, and this is not least noticeable in the fuel consumption.
If you spend a day cruising around the inner city, you shouldn’t be surprised if the car sucks in close to three liters per mile.
If you go out on the open road, however, there are no problems driving around the liter.
Under the hood lurks a V8 with 575 horsepower. Photo: Gustaf Gripenlöf Karlberg Consistent in the city
The car in general is also not pristine as it arrived back in 2013, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. Namely, it offers a character that is quite unique on the market today.
The drivetrain may be thirsty in the city, but in return it offers a compliance at low speeds that few modern cars can offer.
The interior is somewhat dated. Photo: Gustaf Gripenlöf Karlberg
The explanation is spelled bottom twist, which is something the large cylinder volume and supercharger ensure there are plenty of. The torque is there at pretty much all revs and the throttle response is direct, while the automatic transmission slides smoothly from gear to gear.
The result is that the car is incredibly pleasant and relaxed to slide around the city in a cab, constantly accompanied by a pleasant dull burble from the exhaust pipes.
Competent on the open road
The good impression of the driving characteristics remains when you go out on the open road.
The F-Type R certainly cannot compete with more modern sports cars such as the latest Porsche 911 or Mercedes-AMG SL in purely dynamic terms.
If you want to be the fastest on the highway, there are better alternatives. Photo: Gustaf Gripenlöf Karlberg
However, this does not mean that the car does not entertain when driving on the highway. The steering is nimble and nicely weighted, the chassis balance is good and there’s plenty of grip thanks to the four-wheel drive.
Above all, the powertrain is fantastically charismatic. The automatic transmission, which at low speeds is soft and compliant, is nimble, well-calibrated and obeys every instruction in more sporty driving.
The engine also responds directly to throttle, the acceleration is enormous and the beautiful roar of the V8 at full throttle is almost deafening.
The sound from the exhaust pipes is almost deafening. Photo: Gustaf Gripenlöf Karlberg Fun at all speeds
The best thing about the car, which distinguishes it in today’s car market, is that you don’t have to drive like a madman for it to be entertaining.
Modern performance cars are often so refined and competent that they need to be driven quite hard to offer much in terms of driving pleasure. In the F-Type R, you can instead glide around at completely normal speeds and still feel that you are getting something out of the experience.
In city traffic, for example, it is enough to press the gas a little harder out of an intersection to be reminded of the engine’s power and lovely sound. Likewise, on a twisty road, it’s enough to slide through the curves at a reasonable speed and bask in the chubby torque and the sweet exhaust note.
The Jaguar F-Type is an odd bird in today’s car market. Photo: Gustaf Gripenlöf KarlbergIn a niche of its own
The Jaguar F-Type R occupies something of a niche of its own, being better looking, more charming and more entertaining than pretty much every other car on the market today.
Technically speaking, it is far from the most competent option, and if you are looking for a sports car to drive everyday for a few years, you should look elsewhere.
Then the competitors from Germany are more practical and fuel-efficient, and probably stand out better in terms of value.
If, on the other hand, you are looking for an enthusiast car to keep and enjoy for many years, these factors again play a role, and then the F-Type R is perfect.
The F-Type and its legendary V8 will be missed.
Rating of Jaguar F-Type R Roadster: 4.5/5
Jaguar F-Type R Roadster (2023)
Engine: 5.0-liter petrol V8, 575 horsepower, 700 newton meters
Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel drive
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 3.7 seconds
Top speed: 300 km/h
Weight: 2,180 kg
Dimensions (length/height/width): etc
Award: From approximately SEK 1,750,000