Driven: Jaguar F-Type V8R Coupe vs Convertible

Here is the first drive review of the Jaguar F-Type V8R Coupe and Convertible after Motor Verso were given the opportunity to test out both the cars on a range of test roads at Millbrook Proving Ground.

What is the Jaguar F-Type V8R all about?

The Jaguar F-Type V8R has smashed the sports car market to pieces with its beautiful design and great performance. The F-Type V8R is the fastest and most extreme version of the already impressive F-Type range.

Just looking at the car you can tell that it is an absolute work of art. I love the large wheels, the big arches and its long sloping bonnet, the whole thing looks gorgeous. Jaguar give us the choice of either the Coupe or the Convertible models, which both have their own advantages.

The Jaguar F-Type V8R is powered by a 5.0-litre V8 supercharged engine that creates 542bhp and 680Nm of torque. The power goes to the rear wheels using an eight-speed automatic gearbox. This means the car will get from 0-60mph in 4.0 seconds and do a top speed of 186mph.

How does it drive?

Getting into the F-Type you sit low in the centre of the car; this helps create a proper sports car feel. One of the most special things about either of the F-Types is that you don’t even have to drive it to enjoy it. Simply turning on the V8 engine is enough to weaken any petrol head to their knees. With one press of a button the engine fires up and you hear what I would describe as the best exhaust sound ever heard from any car.

Exhaust note aside, the F-Type is a hugely powerful car and not only puts the power down well, but it does it in a very thrilling way. The F-Type has a very energetic nature about it and in the car’s Race mode it is a real handful to play with. Gentle inputs on the car have very powerful effects and leave you hanging on to the wheel, grinning like a fool. I love it.

The eight speed automatic gearbox in the F-Type is one of the best I have used, and for many reasons; the shift response is very quick, it seems to do what you ask it do every time and it feels very rewarding to use as a driver clicking through the gears. Listen to the video below and you will hear the exhaust popping and banging between shifts.

The F-Type is a gift for the senses; sight, sound, and touch are all hugely stimulated by the F-Type.

Jaguar F-Type V8R Coupe vs Convertible

The choice between the Coupe vs Convertible is a very difficult one to make. For me the Convertible gives you 360 degrees of raw engine and exhaust noise which I promise you you will never get bored of. But the Coupe has some beautiful body lines that create the ultimate Coupe bodywork design. For me I think I would prefer the Coupe just because of those looks.

What is it like inside?

Sitting inside either the Coupe or the Convertible the interior has a great driver centric feel. The central controls are slightly tilted towards the driver and there is a dividing arm on the left hand side on the central console indicating that the controls are to be used by the driver and not the passenger. There are lots of buttons inside the car, but it wont take you long to figure out what they all do.

The entire interior setup is very modern and feels very well put together. The configuration gives you a bit of a plane cockpit feeling due to the fact that you are quite wrapped up in a close environment, this really adds to the sporty feel.

The Experience

The Jaguar F Type V8R delivers one of the most thrilling, exciting and dramatic driving experiences that is possible on the road. Simply the sound of it is enough to convince you of this, but get it on the road and it will make you realise just what all the other manufactures are missing.

Verdict

The Jaguar F-Type V8R is an incredible drivers car, it has the beauty, the performance and the soul to excite even the most advanced drivers. There is no doubt that the Jaguar F-Type V8R is one of the best in its sector. The only difficultly is which one to choose.

Video Highlights

Specification

Jaguar F-Type V8R

Price: £85,000
Engine: 5.0-litre V8 Supercharged
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 680Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, RWD
0-62mph: 4.0 Seconds
Top speed: 186mph
Weight: 1650kg
Economy: 25mpg
CO2: 259g/km

Jaguar F-Type V8R Coupe Gallery Jaguar F-Type V8R Convertible Gallery

Author: Paul Hadley