Reviews
Gallery 1
You may be familiar with Jerry Seinfeld’s internet show Comedians in Cars getting Coffee.
If not, you should be, as it’s extremely entertaining and showcases some incredible machinery. However, if Jerry ever finds himself in a tight spot and needs one guest to fulfil both car and comedian roles he could do worse than choosing Jaguar’s new F-Type R convertible.
A new addition to the MY16 F-Type range, it replaces the previous V8 S and basically turns all the numbers up. Outputs from the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 lift from 375kW/625Nm to the full-fat 404kW/680Nm of the R Coupe while the price increases from $201,475 to $245,280 for the rear-driver and $260,980 for the new all-wheel drive variant.
The steering is now electromechcanially-assisted but is a highlight for its weighting and rate of response; it provides strong turn-in but in second-gear corners it only takes half-throttle for the rear to break free. Despite its name, the ‘TracDSC’ mode is perfectly calibrated for the road, providing enough slip to feel involved but keeping a safety net in place.
When those poor tortured rear tyres do finally hook up, acceleration is ferocious and the never-ending torrent of torque is accompanied by a raucous V8 soundtrack that you just can’t believe passes drive-by noise tests anywhere in the world.
But who cares? The F-Type R is the perfect example of a MOTOR car. Non car-nuts just wouldn’t get it: why would you pay a quarter-mil for a car that deafens you, has no luggage space and devours a set of rear tyres every 2000km? Because it’s fan-bloody-tastic.
4/5
Specs
Engine 5000cc V8, DOHC, 32v, supercharger Power 404kW @ 6500rpm Torque 680Nm @ 3500rpm Weight 1665kg 0-100km/h 4.2sec (claimed) Price $245,280 (RWD)
