Jaguar Club SG

The Jaguar F-type is finally here. We review the 375bhp supercharged V6 S - the best all-rounder?

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/289069/2013_jaguar_ftype_v6_s_review.html?CMP=NLC-Newsletters&uid=aea3449870bb5032404a00d52f1aec4e

By Henry Catchpole/Stephen Dobie

April 2013

What is it?
 
The Jaguar F-type V6 S, the middle-ranking version of one of the most long awaited, eagerly anticipated British sports cars ever. It’s priced from £67,520.
 
Technical highlights?
 
At this F-type’s heart is a supercharged 3-litre V6 engine, possessing 375bhp and 339lb ft – figures up 40bhp and 7lb ft over the base F-type and the XF and XJ 3.0 S/C petrol saloons which also use this engine. Driving the rear wheels via the eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox that has proved so bewitching in other applications, this F-type V6 S completes 0-60 in 4.8sec on its way to an electronically limited 171mph top speed.
 
Other highlights include a proper mechanical limited-slip differential (the top spec F-type V8 S uses an electronically controlled setup), a faster steering rack than the Jaguar XKR and a stability control system with a more lenient track mode.
 
What’s it like to drive?
 
The first thing you notice is the steering. It’s fairly light but it’s very direct, especially compared to other Jaguars, and it’s curiously reminiscent of a Ferrari 458 Italia or F12 Berlinetta. Happily, the rest of the car can keep up, the chassis responding to your inputs with alacrity, feeling taut and agile. Everything is very precise and as a result you have a huge amount of confidence on turn-in to corners.
 
You seem to make one initial dart into a corner with the steering and then concentrate on driving through with the rear wheels, which feels very natural. With the drivetrain and damping in ‘Dynamic’ mode and the DSC slackened to ‘Track’ (or switched it off altogether) the F-type’s tail will happily step out of line; it’s fun and the quick steering makes it easy to catch and hold, with the car still driving forwards using its mechanical limited-slip differential to good effect, but you need to be on your toes.
 
The engine is very strong, almost feeling naturally aspirated in its throttle response and broad torque range (the punchy 339lb ft maximum is available between 3500 and 5000rpm) while the eight-speed automatic transmission almost feels like it has sprint gearing. It’s hard to avoid needlessly shuffling between the gears at times, but the tactile rubber-lined steering wheel paddles (which are also copper coloured) plus very vocal parps on upshifts and pops and crackles on downshifts make it all a very interactive experience. Whether you hang onto your gears or not, this is a quick car.
 
How does it compare?
 
This F-type V6 S’s most natural rival is the Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet, with a 345bhp 3.4-litre flat-six engine, 178mph top speed and a bulkier £81,727 price tag. It also has the option of seven-speed manual or twin-clutch paddle-shift gearboxes. Find out how they compare exactly in issue 183 of evo – on sale Wednesday April 24.
 
Anything else I need to know?
 
The 335bhp F-type V6 costs £58,520, while the range-topping 488bhp supercharged V8 S costs £79,985. And the Jaguar F-type roadster is just the beginning – a coupe version, previewed by the sexy C-X16 concept car in 2011, is on the horizon, as (we suspect) are sportier R and R-S variants.