I am really impressed is how Jaguar manages to stay up there. The found they way to do
it. They can compete with that big German automotive machine.
So how do they do it as such a small brand? It is with 'pleasure'. Not that it isn't fun
to drive a porsche 911, but somehow there is always that clinical feel of perfection.
It is what makes a Porsche a Porsche. But Englishmen can get away from that. Look
at the XKR or the XKR-S. Or even a little in the XJ.
And I can tell you, th same goes for this F-type. It isn;t the best car in the segment,
but the enjoyment... You notice that driving fun was their primary goal. I can enjoy a policy like that.
So, the F-Type... Isn't it great to look at?
Such a basic design and still very nice. Same as with the XK.
I don't play the tourist board very often, but I am near Pamplona Navarra Spain, and
it is one of the most beautifull area's I have ever seen.
But now, the car. Lovely roadster, a little more compact than the XK. How to place it?
Jaguar refuses to anwser that question. Of course the 911 makes a good competitor, but
what about something smaller like a SLK 55 AMG? They could work aswell. It comes wth
3 engines for now, two V6's with 340 and 380 PS, both with supercharger, and a supercharged
V8, than you get 495 PS. Right now we are driving the V6 S, with 380 PS.
Before we start with the driving, check out the sound! With this button you open valves in the exhaust....
It is not even a nice pitch, but a heavy noise,
which is almost embarrassing. A little to much sometimes.. but ....
that is what makes it so good... but..... the fun-aspect of it just keeps coming. Such
a great part of this car. it has enough power and climbs a little more
in the rev range than the normal V6, And it has more than enough speed and power, it is
not like I feel like that I miss power. I do not miss that V8 right now.
the interior is more basic than I am used to from Jaguar, more clean. Some stuff looks
great, but the buttons look a little cheap compared to a XK or XF.
The drive: this isn't a hardcore sportscar. It is very sporty to drive, but compared to
a 911, that is more hard and has less bodyroll. Here they left some. But by the time you notice,
you have to very fast or be on the track. On roads like this it has a very natural balance and the steering
is very nice. Light and direct, not artificial heavy or so. This is more like it should be.
So does this car make a new standard in this segment? well no. It doesn't work like this.
This isn't a better car than the stuff is out there. I am not saying it is worse either.
Are their reasons to buy one? Well PLENTY! The design, how proud you can be, the sound,
the steering, the weight goes towards 1700 kg, but it doesn't matter that the 911 weighs
less. The way pure FUN reaches you... I am a little down to earth and people sometimes
complain that I should look a little more happy in the video's, but in this car, I don't have to try. It goes by itself..
+ great design, great sound - still heavy, expensive.