The Demise Of the Jaguar F-Type Marks the Conclusion Of an Era In Multiple Aspects

Throughout the initial two-thirds of my existence, Jaguar lacked a proper sports vehicle. The E-Type had been absent for many years before my birth, and the XK had always been more of a deluxe tourer. The landscape altered in 2013 with the introduction of the Jaguar F-Type. A sports automobile almost four decades in the making, the F-Type revolutionized the contemporary Jaguar label and embodied the quintessence of the British sports car for the ensuing decade. The F-Type propelled Jaguar to a degree of sophistication it hadn’t achieved since before humankind set foot on the lunar surface.

It’s astonishing to contemplate that the F-Type is now entering its 11th and ultimate model year. Although I have been an active automotive writer since 2015, I’ve never had the privilege of experiencing driving an F-Type. Thankfully, Jaguar had a 2024 F-Type R-Dynamic Convertible at my disposal for appraisal, enabling me to take it for one final spin before its departure. I had no clue what I had been foregoing. My inaugural drive in the F-Type is also destined to be my concluding one, a poignant instant filled with mirth, sorrow, and a somber prediction for the forthcoming days.

The Conclusion Of a Legend

Jaguar streamlined the F-Type to its fundamental features for the concluding model year. It is still offered as a coupe or a convertible, but the four-cylinder and V6 motors have been discarded, leaving only the 5.0-liter supercharged V8 in two variations. The R-Dynamic is now the entry-level choice, now bundled with a Black Exterior Pack as standard.

The F-Type 75 joins the lineup as a farewell to 75 years of Jaguar sports vehicles, incorporating an extended leather interior, heated/cooled seats, and various unique details on the exterior and interior. Most of these features can be added as options to the R-Dynamic. While the R-Dynamic sends its power to the rear wheels, the 75 comes with all-wheel-drive. The F‑Type R75 leads the pack with a more powerful V8 engine and standard AWD.

V8 Culmination

The F-Type isn’t just the conclusion of an era for Jaguar sports cars; it signifies the sun setting on one of the most exceptional engines ever manufactured. The 5.0-liter supercharged V8 from Jaguar may still exist for a short while in the F-Pace SVR, but it has essentially vanished from all other uses, including Land Rover. BMW’s 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 offers greater power and efficiency as a replacement, yet it lacks the raw, powerful sound of the supercharged JLR engine.

The R-Dynamic and 75 variants are “detuned” to produce 444 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque. This V8 has less power than when it was introduced with the F-Type back in 2013, resulting in more manageable performance and a car that isn’t eager to lose control at every turn. Accelerating from 0 to 60 mph still only takes a quick 4.4 seconds with either RWD or AWD, and performance enthusiasts can choose the R75 to unleash 575 hp and 516 lb-ft, reducing the 0-60 time to just 3.5 seconds.

In our view, just go for the R-Dynamic. It might be slower, but the sound it produces will divert your attention sufficiently. The F-Type remains composed, sophisticated, and collected during regular driving, but press the throttle past 4,000 RPM, and suddenly the wildness is unleashed. When the baffles open up, those four exhaust outlets might as well be connected directly to your eardrums because the V8 in the F-Type will give you chills.

Unlike BMW’s V8, which mechanically sputters and crackles in a predictable manner as controlled by its software, the F-Type’s sounds vary based on your driving style. It snarls on upshifts, chokes on downshifts, and bellows loudly enough to awaken the deceased when you accelerate. Superchargers are soon to be artifacts of the past, and vehicles like the F-Type will remind us of why they were truly exceptional.

The Optimal Tech Level

When a vehicle remains in the market for more than a decade, it often appears outdated in comparison to newer competitors. While we wouldn’t describe the F-Type’s interior as “cutting-edge,” it manages to bundle all the technology we desire in a contemporary sports car without excess. Featuring a 10-inch touchscreen at the center with a matte finish, it becomes challenging to see with the top down due to sunlight glare. The menus resemble those from Windows XP, but with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available, why would you need more than that?

Apart from the basic entertainment features, the F-Type brings a breath of fresh air amidst its contemporary counterparts due to its non-reliance on screen interactions. Need to tweak the temperature or activate the ventilated seats? A physical dial handles that. Eager to switch to Dynamic Mode and revel in the magnificent V8 sound? A simple click of a switch is all that’s required. In the pursuit of cost-efficiency and modernization, numerous recent sporty vehicles have phased out physical controls, making every operation more cumbersome and distracting. The F-Type potentially epitomizes the perfect blend of technology and traditional controls, while newer vehicles may stray further from this equilibrium.

The Murky Path Ahead for Jaguar

Jaguar recently made public its decision to discontinue nearly every model in its range, sparing only the F-Pace SUV from extinction. The British marque is set to unveil an electric luxury GT later this year, but details remain scarce at this moment. The path forward for Jaguar as an electric-focused brand appears rather ambiguous.

Traditionally, Land Rover had a focus on SUVs, while Jaguar specialized in sedans and coupes. This landscape changed with the debut of the F-Pace and I-Pace, blurring the boundaries between the two marques. If the market predominantly demands SUVs, and Land Rover is synonymous with SUVs, what distinct role does Jaguar serve? JLR’s top management must promptly determine Jaguar’s strategic positioning and act decisively on that front.

The Future Landscape for Jaguar

With nearly all present models phased out, how will Jaguar stay pertinent? From our perspective, Jaguar should shift towards becoming a niche automaker with a particular focus on customized construction. This will encompass successive models like the E-Type and highly unique EVs. Could this also involve a successor to the F-Type with JLR’s mild-hybrid straight-six engine? We certainly anticipate that.

If JLR can create a globally competitive EV – encompassing 800-volt technology and a range of 400 miles or more – while retaining its renowned handling and elegance, perhaps we might witness a revival for Jaguar. Range Rover is taking the lead with its forthcoming EV, and then we will see if Jaguar can follow suit with its captivating product. Could it be exceptional? Conceivably. Will it attain the level of greatness seen in the F-Type? That is another tale.

If you have approximately $80,000-$115,000 to invest in an enjoyable diversion, I would advise hurrying, not strolling, to the Jaguar showroom to acquire this once-in-a-generation sports car. Naturally, if that amount seems excessive, there are numerous pre-owned options available for purchase as well. When you find yourself grinning like a young child, enjoying the sound of an engine chortling and roaring wildly, you can express your gratitude to me.