Friday, March 29, 2024
ADVT 
Auto

2020 Jaguar F-TYPE P380

By Benjamin Yong, 21 Sep, 2019

    Celebrating seven decades of beautiful sports cars

    Jaguar is a brand that knows how to look backward in order to move ahead. For example, in recognition of its 70th anniversary of sports car production — all started by the open two-seater XK 120 — a special 2020 F-TYPE Chequered Flag variant has been launched.

    This limited edition vehicle is based off the R-Dynamic trim featuring a contrast black roof, polished 20-inch alloys, Windsor leather upholstery and aluminum centre console. Available in both coupé and convertible form factors, consumers also have a choice of either the 296-horsepower 2.0-litre turbocharged or the 380-horse 3.0-litre supercharged V6 engine, the latter dubbed the P380 and equipped with all-wheel drive. We took out a hardtop packing the V6 for a week-long evaluation.

    “Perfect proportions, design purity and visual drama: every Jaguar must express these qualities, and none more so than F-TYPE. In creating the Chequered Flag we’ve focused on details that enhance F-TYPE’s presence and promise of performance. And in doing so, made a fitting celebration of 70 years of beautiful, fast, Jaguar sports cars,” says director of design Ian Callum in a news release.

    Callum pretty much hits the nail on the head in terms of exterior aesthetics. While I absolutely love a good drop top, there’s just something about the flowing lines of the fixed roof. The model already is a serious head turner, but the fastback body style emphasizes how wide the vehicle really is.

    Details setting the latest creation apart from regular offerings are the six-spoke “6003” wheels, unique badging front and rear and in the interior, red illuminated sill plates, red brake calipers, dark finish on the aluminum console finisher. In addition, all F-TYPE grades now wear differentiating front bumper skins to distinguish between them, the corner intakes growing in size in direct relation to numbers of cylinders. The V6 is right in the middle of the pack — not too small or big.

    For those thinking of stepping up into an R spec running the 550-horsepower 5.0-litre V8 motor, the cars receive enhancements to the suspension. Damping has been reduced by 24 per cent in the low range to improve ride comfort at cruising speeds, and the setup borrows the rear upper ball joint from the top-of-the-line SVR and boasts modifications to the rear knuckle and upper control arm to increase handling ability and durability.

    Last year, I was fortunate to test out an eight-cylinder version and the noise coming out of the dynamic quad-exit exhaust can only be described as intoxicating. While not exactly the same, the P380 provides a worthy aural experience full of snap, crackle and pop any time drivers wind out the engine. The slightly reduced output didn’t leave me wanting, either, still very capable of causing heart palpitations at full tilt.

    All 2020 F-TYPEs receive a backup camera and forward parking sensors as standard, a boon particularly when piloting the coupé as rear visibility is almost nonexistent due to the tiny rear window and significant blind spots. The Touch Pro infotainment system, is anchored around a 10-inch touchscreen. Although significantly improved with each generation in terms of response time to inputs, the lack of a rotary tuner is especially irritating while trying to navigate through 100s of satellite radio stations. At least there’s a volume knob.

    Seating is supportive and comfortable as always, and as an added benefit the new “slimline” seats are constructed out of lightweight materials tipping the scales at a mere eight kilograms each.

    Highlights (as tested):

    MSRP: $105,000
    Motor: 3.0-litre supercharged V6
    Horsepower: 380 @ 6,500 rpm
    Torque (lb-ft): 339 @ 3,5000 rpm
    Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
    Layout: Front engine, all-wheel drive
    Fuel economy: 13.9 L/100 km mixed city/highway (observed)

    MORE Auto ARTICLES

    TOP 6 Debuts From NYIAS

     DARPAN has picked out sixof our favourite surprises to come out of the recent show.

    2018 NISSAN Qashqai

    As an urbanite myself, I do appreciate a smaller form factor for navigating narrow parking spots and streets.

    2018 Maserati Levante S GranSport

    Even as a journalist, it is not often that I get to drive an exotic car like a Maserati, and ones that I have ridden have been a little disappointing in many areas.

    2018 Range Rover VELAR

    “We call the Velar the avant-garde Range Rover. It brings a new dimension of glamour, modernity and elegance to the brand. The Range Rover Velar changes everything,” says Land Rover chief design officer Gerry McGovern. 

    2018 Mercedes-Benz C300 Wagon 4MATIC

    Bigger and bolder than ever before, the gorgeous vehicle has striking bodylines. If you’ve seen the sedan variant, the story is much the same save for, of course, the tail section. 

    2018 BMW M240i

     
    The little Coupe feels lively and agile, running on an Adaptive M suspension setup comprised largely of aluminum. Throw in a low centre of gravity, near 
    50:50 weight distribution and variable electromechanical sport steering and what you’ve got is a car that truly handles as though it’s on rails.