The Definitive F-Word
When the F-Type first made an appearance, the world noticed. Its eye-catching design, hinting strongly of the original E-Type, made waves. Its characteristic flowing lines, purposeful creases, bulges and scoops, together with thin LED lighting boasts of power with a hint of lightness. We certainly loved how the car oozed character, especially when compared to the XK it replaces.
Jaguar has fielded their new award-winning Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) 2.0 turbocharged Ingenium petrol engine into this car. The engine operates quite uniquely, with the intake cams operating the valves indirectly, where between the cams and the valves, are a series of hydraulic pumps actuated themselves by solenoid valves, which in-turn lifts the engine valves; the resulting arrangement takes variable valve timing to another level, with valve lift not relying just on a limited number of ‘steps’ which is common-place these days, but the valves are able to open from anywhere from nought to 11mm. Exhaust cams are also variably-timed, meaning optimum performance regardless of load and engine temperature.
While it does deliver less power and torque versus the larger V6 and mental V8 variants, the 300ps and 400Nm it delivers from a very low 1,500rpm, is only 40ps and 50Nm shy of the next larger engine option. Depress the starter button, and the angry North-South mounted straight-4 roars to life, before calming down to a sulking idle. Open up the sports exhaust flaps with the depressing of the toggle button below the gearshift lever, and immediately, there is a heavier drone within the cabin, and blipping the throttle does allow for some wonderful exhaust showboating.
The 2.0 takes the “milder” F-Type to 100km/h in an impressive-enough 5.7 seconds, 0.4 seconds less than the 340ps 3.0 V6 version of the same car. Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a quick-reacting 8-speed transmission, which has been specially optimised for this car. There is plenty that this engine can give, and perhaps till near the 6,500rpm redline, you might find just a little flatness, but it delivers so much satisfaction within the non-red zone, with a snarling exhaust note, and angry engine burble to match, perhaps not as soulful as how the V6 is, but this is after-all a four-banger.
For a sports car, the ride comfort is actually pretty decent; thanks to the very supportive seats which cradle you as you take the F-Type around the bends. Jaguar had also tuned the double wishbone suspension for this car to take advantage of the lighter four-cylinder.
Turning the F-Type into a bend reveals a car nimble, and with willingness to switch directions easily. The lighter engine also means that the balance has moved 1 percentage point to the rear, a plus for better rear-end grip. Other goodies like Torque Vectoring applies controlled braking on the inner turning wheels of the car, to address the effects understeer, when pitching the Jag around a corner.
Driver aids are always present to keep you away from embarrassing slip-ups, but once you switch them off, the car is quick to remind you that you need good throttle discipline to drive this car well, and if you do (drive it well), the F-Type does reward you.
The inclusion of a 2.0 makes the F-Type more palatable for our road conditions. Perhaps a little less power and torque than its larger V6 sibling, it however delivers close. But at a hefty $40,000 less, with lower road tax and better fuel consumption figures, perhaps two less cylinders is more?
Jaguar had intended this to be a proper driver’s car, and have successfully done so, with a dash of showboating in-tow.
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