A Series Revival After Nearly 40 Years

As we enter the second decade of the 21st century, the automotive industry sees an increasing number of anniversaries. While some car brands born in the early days, like Mercedes-Benz, are exceptions, most manufacturers trace their origins to the early 20th century. In this context, Aston Martin celebrated its 100th anniversary last year, and Maserati is doing the same this year.

The reason I bring this up is related to my test drive of the Jaguar "F-Type Coupe".Although the convertible was announced last year, this F-Type is a car born from Jaguar's heritage. Its ancestor is none other than the Jaguar "E-Type," a model that caused a stir when it was unveiled at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show. This marks the revival of the series, approximately 40 years after the final model was discontinued.



The F-Type's debutdates back to the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, where the "C-X16" was presented on a turntable. Based on the positive reception, the "convertible" was introduced first, followed by the coupe we are testing today.

However, I recall that the concept car in 2011 was a coupe with a rear glass hatch that opened sideways, which left a strong impression. Furthermore, the hinge was on the opposite side from the E-Type. When I asked Ian Callum, the head of design, about this at the venue, he replied, "That was a concept car. Just a little joke (laughs)." I see, I was completely fooled...Ian CallumI was completely fooled...

About two and a half years have passed since then. I had the opportunity to get behind the wheel in the suburbs of Barcelona, Spain. Rumors suggested it was even more extreme than the convertible, so my expectations were high. Moreover, like the convertible, the program included a track test. This, in itself, suggests it's their masterpiece.

Being a Sports Car Brand

The F-Type Coupe comes in three grades, differentiated by engine output: a 3.0-liter V6 supercharged engine producing 340ps and 380ps, and a 5.0-liter V8 supercharged engine producing 550ps. What surprised me was the power of the V8. While it was capped at 495ps in the convertible, it's a full 55ps higher in the coupe. Within the Jaguar family, this matches the "XKR-S". Including the Range Rover, it's the most powerful in the group.

Now, for the actual driving experience, the test cars provided were the 380ps V6 and the V8. These models are called the F-Type S Coupe and the F-Type R Coupe, respectively. To put it simply, both offer the same thrilling performance as the convertible.



The explosive exhaust sound, which surpasses even that of Ferraris and Maseratis, is still present. On winding roads, it navigates corners with repeated blips and backfires.

The ZF 8-speed automatic transmission is responsive, leaving nothing to be desired. With this kind of reaction from a torque converter automatic, there's no need for dual-clutch transmissions. The handling also possesses that distinct "Jaguar-ness," responding swiftly and changing direction precisely when the steering is turned.

I regularly drive a Jaguar "XJ (X308)", and this sensation is truly traditional. It strongly conveys that Jaguar is a sports car brand.

You Can Press the Accelerator Without Hesitation

The V8 model demonstrated its capabilities not only on public roads but also on the track. Torque Vectoring corrects understeer and oversteer, pointing the car's nose in the driver's intended direction. Additionally, the optional carbon-ceramic matrix brakes provide a stable deceleration from speeds exceeding 200 km/h. With this stopping power, you can confidently press the accelerator.

Of course, these technologies are already equipped in sports cars from other manufacturers. Frankly, it's not entirely new. However, this is a matter of timing. Jaguar's development team has chosen to implement these features now, as essential elements for controlling a 550ps two-seater sports car with precision.



I experienced this intense driving for two days, and I strongly felt the increased body rigidity compared to the convertible. This was evident on winding roads and during track driving, with a distinct sense of the body being a solid unit. In essence, it feels like a racing car.

The benefits of this include the presence of the roof as a structural element, but the addition of a bulkhead at the rear is also noteworthy. Consequently, even though the rear glass opens like a hatchback, the amount of luggage space is somewhat compromised.

However, prioritizing higher rigidity over practicality is commendable. In today's era, many cars compromise their individuality by trying to be good at everything. In contrast, this car stands out as a decidedly hardcore machine. After all, sports cars are inherently inconvenient. The more pronounced the inconvenience, the more it enhances the sports car experience!

Jaguar F-Type Coupe│Jaguar F-Type Coupe
Body Dimensions│Length 4,470 × Width 1,925 mm *Height not specified
Wheelbase│2,620 mm
Minimum Turning Radius│5.2 m
Engine│2,994 cc V6 DOHC Supercharged
Maximum Output│250 kW (340 ps) / 6,500 rpm
Maximum Torque│450 Nm / 3,500 rpm
Compression Ratio│10.51:1
Transmission│8-speed Automatic
Weight│1,730 kg
0-100 km/h Acceleration│5.3 seconds
Fuel Tank Capacity│72 liters
Price│¥8,230,000

Jaguar F-Type S Coupe│Jaguar F-Type S Coupe
Body Dimensions│Length 4,470 × Width 1,925 mm *Height not specified
Wheelbase│2,620 mm
Minimum Turning Radius│5.2 m
Engine│2,994 cc V6 DOHC Supercharged
Maximum Output│280 kW (380 ps) / 6,500 rpm
Maximum Torque│460 Nm / 3,500 rpm
Compression Ratio│10.51:1
Transmission│8-speed Automatic
0-100 km/h Acceleration│4.9 seconds
Fuel Tank Capacity│72 liters
Price│¥10,290,000

Jaguar F-Type R Coupe│Jaguar F-Type R Coupe
Body Dimensions│Length 4,470 × Width 1,925 mm *Height not specified
Wheelbase│2,620 mm
Minimum Turning Radius│5.2 m
Engine│4,999 cc V8 DOHC Supercharged
Maximum Output│495 kW (550 ps) / 6,500 rpm
Maximum Torque│680 Nm / 2,500-5,500 rpm
Compression Ratio│9.5:1
Transmission│8-speed Automatic
0-100 km/h Acceleration│4.2 seconds
Fuel Tank Capacity│70 liters
Price│¥12,860,000

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