Back in 2013, the Jaguar F-Type coupe made its world debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, and it was love at first sight. Since then, we’ve been fortunate to drive a variety of different F-Type models, and they’ve all been just brilliant to drive.. Not to mention that intoxicating exhaust note, which sounds absolutely insane!
What’s crazy is that it’s been nearly eight years since the F-Type came out, meaning that it was long overdue for a refresh. But unlike some brands, which introduce an “all-new” vehicle that looks nothing like it’s predecessor, Jaguar took a page from Porsche’s playbook, making subtle changes instead, so there’s no mistaking it for anything but an F-Type.
The 2021 Jaguar F-Type has evolved into a purer, more sculpted and assertive expression of the definitive Jaguar sports car. There’s a new hood with flowing surfaces, a subtly enlarged grille, unique front bumper designs, and most noticeably, new super-slim LED headlights with ‘Calligraphy’ signature J daytime running lights.
Out back, the rear haunches enhance the vehicle’s inherently dramatic, purposeful form. The LED rear light clusters are also slimmer to match the headlights, and they feature a bolder, ‘Chicane’ light graphic introduced by the all-electric I-PACE performance SUV. Instead of the predecessor’s stepped form, the outer lenses are now smooth, integrating into the rear deck.
“The F-TYPE has always had great proportions and stance, and our latest design is all about enhancing those key Jaguar values. Our aim was to make the car more contemporary, more purposeful, and even more dramatic,” said Adam Hatton, Exterior Design Director, Jaguar.
“The LED headlamps and the larger front grille give a more assertive presence on the road. We’ve re-designed the exotic clamshell hood to enhance the purity of form and accentuate its length. The beautiful flowing surfaces subtly reference great Jaguar cars of the past, while the new vents blend perfectly into the sculpted aluminum around them.”
The interior of the 2021 Jaguar F-Type, like the exterior, has evolved into a purer expression of the car’s elegance and performance. The cabin envelops occupants with luxurious materials such as Windsor Leather, Suedecloth, and Noble Chrome, while craftsmanship is embodied in beautiful details such as monogram stitching on the seats and door trim.
The cockpit now features a 12-inch reconfigurable HD TFT instrument cluster, with graphics unique to the F-Type. This offers a choice of three display themes including full map, but the default mode is characterized by the large central tach. This feature and the shift light subtly convey the car’s character and performance potential, digitally enhancing the mechanical theater of the pulsing red ‘heartbeat’ of the start button and the deployable center air vents.
The responsive, intuitive Touch Pro infotainment system’s 10-inch touchscreen, matched to 3 tactile rotary controllers, offers the perfect balance of analogue and digital driver controls. In addition, the F-TYPE features Apple CarPlay & Android Auto as standard, along with software-over-the-air functionality, so future software updates can be made at the owner’s convenience without having to visit a dealership.
On the performance front, drivers can choose from four-, six- and eight-cylinder options with 296hp, 380hp and 575hp respective outputs. The eight-speed Quickshift transmission is your only option, with the manual option going away last year. But you’ve got full manual control capability using either the SportShift gear selector or the steering wheel-mounted paddles.
The Jaguar F-Type R receives a more powerful supercharged V8, which puts out 575hp and 516 lb-ft of torque (an increases of 25hp and 14 lb-ft compared to the previous model). Combined with the torque on-demand AWD system with Jaguar’s Intelligent Driveline Dynamics control technology, this delivers truly extraordinary performance and immediate throttle response in all gears and in variety of conditions. Acceleration from 0-60mph takes just 3.5 seconds, while the maximum speed is electronically-limited to 186mph.
In addition, an uprated chassis with new springs, dampers, anti-roll bars and rear knuckles all work together to deliver incredible handling. All in all, there’s a lot to like about the all-new 2021 Jaguar F-Type. Sure, the front-end treatment might not be to everyone’s liking, but like everything else, it’ll likely grow on you in due time.
What do you think about the 2021 Jaguar F-Type?
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