Team-BHP - Jaguar F-Type : Driven

Excellent review and amazing snaps there! :)

The thing that caught my eye first was the jog dials for the AC controls integrated with the neat tiny backlit display:

Something I haven't noticed in other cars before (or may be I haven't paid much attention to the innards of other rides so please pardon me for that!). This one saves space and looks a lot elegant. I don't suppose this would be costing any higher than providing separate displays above the dials - about time others take a note of this.

Excellent photographs mate. This is truly world-class!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaggu (Post 3129801)

Jaguar has moved away from that pop-up rotary gear-selector for good, and gone back to the more traditional stick.

Why?

That was probably the main highlights of a modern Jaguar interior. This is like going back in time. I think they've left the conventional sports-car appeal sink in a little too deep here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaggu (Post 3129801)

The AC vent design is quite nifty, it stays out of sight when you don't need it:

And when its time to cool, out it comes:

This is a pretty cool feature, and I realized that I had completely missed the absence of the the louvers when I was watching the stand-alone dashboard photographs. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaggu (Post 3129804)

We get the V6 S for the track and I am not complaining. Yes, the V8 S would have been more interesting, but I spoke to couple of Jaguar engineers and they all vouched for the V6 S being their personal favorite.

Very convenient on Jaguar's behalf to save the best for the track. I'm sure the V6S is more fun round corners than the nose heavy V8, but had they provided V8S, it would have been an interesting comparison.

Quote:

Originally Posted by carfreak77 (Post 3130196)

Excellent review. Do you know what is the function of the "stealth" mode displayed on the MID?

If i am not mistaken its for the DRL settings.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marauder (Post 3130279)

Did the instructor have controls for the brake etc. on his side as well?He seemed a bit intrusive throughout the lap in the video.

Lol no, he was a very sweet chap but very careful so that neither the car or the occupants are in trouble. He would only intrude on that shift lever and that too occasionally. Which you can silently correct back using paddles :D No brakes etc, that's him adjusting to my driving style.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rehaan (Post 3130353)

Q: Does the V8 S not get rear fog-lights?

cya
R

Thanks Rehaan and also for all the help behind the scene!

Fog lights and reverse lights are at the bottom of the bumper. This was done on purpose at design. End result is that brilliant rear cluster lamps that blend into the rear form of the body.

The fog (red) are on the left side of the bumper, and hence not noticed.

EDIT: Rehaan you are absolutely right the V8S is missing the "Fog" lights! My bad.

Jaguar F-Type : Driven-firesand_v8s_097-copy.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by AyAn! (Post 3130377)

That was probably the main highlights of a modern Jaguar interior. This is like going back in time. I think they've left the conventional sports-car appeal sink in a little too deep here.

Though it may look like a step backwards, i feel its a right one matching the theme. On a racetrack there are many people (including me) who would prefer to have a stick shift feel. The paddles are fun, but taking corners with one hand quickly shifting the lever would be more fun right. Its fair when you look at the overall essence. Also selecting dynamic mode is a breeze in this, against rotating a drum and looking at MID for confirmation etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AyAn! (Post 3130377)

The suspension and E diff would ensure things are on track and not off, but yes it would have bee fun twitching and turning more on the track lol:

Weight difference and weight balance difference though might be minimal, about 50 Kg overall, E Diff has been added which would go to the center, so upfront the weight would not be way different.

Great review Jaggu. The details in the review are awesome and the pictures are to die for. The way you detailed the country side drive made me feel that I did the drive myself. BRAVO!

I only have one complaint! The track video should have had more of the addictive exhaust note... however, due to the amount of wind whipping on the camera, all I could hear was the Wind, with a very low note of the exhaust audible. BTW - great drive on the track too - I could see the co-pilot gesticulating wildly - assume he was pointing out the racing line?

clap: Jaggu, marvelous review, you seem to have set the benchmark for attention to detail... the carpet quality & weight, graph for a-pedal input (it seems that like you pressed to 90% only :)), & the other tech details of the the car, you have covered almost everything & pointed few faults (albeit minor) in a near flawless product (kudos to TBHP quality tradition for the reviews).

This car is my favourite these days, & had been to the configuration website as well, for my F-type... only if I had the dough.

Rated the thread 5-stars.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeash.vk (Post 3130506)

I only have one complaint! The track video should have had more of the addictive exhaust note... however, due to the amount of wind whipping on the camera, all I could hear was the Wind, with a very low note of the exhaust audible. BTW - great drive on the track too - I could see the co-pilot gesticulating wildly - assume he was pointing out the racing line?

Yes unfortunately, the Gopro was catching all the wind noise. Me and my instructor were having mostly conversation about track driving, his professional stuff. The place where he is mimicking steering is, he explaining how a rally driver will flick around where as a track driver will not and he suspect its my offroad drive experience which makes me calm with steering stupid:

Quote:

Originally Posted by CARDEEP (Post 3130593)

it seems that like you pressed to 90% only.

Disclaimer: Not my graph, i don't think i would have touched 90% throttle :eek:

Quote:

Originally Posted by W.A.G.7 (Post 3130600)

Wow! Beautiful review and of course beautiful car!!===== If and when I can afford it, I would prefer to have it in the red colour. Absolutely wonderful looking shade of red; and also I have become a fan of Jaguar after seeing this beauty. I am sure it must have been much more beautiful in flesh! clap:

Yes car is much better in real life and Red's are awesome. I hear this was not the original plan (to have these red's), but a very wise decision at the end of the day to have introduced it.

Ah well, what can I say Jaggu! You're one lucky fellow! :D

Driving a barking mad Jag sports car in Spain is something that's on the bucket-list for most people. And you've gone and done it! Sensational stuff!

And you've done complete justice in penning this phenomenal review. Intricate, crisp and perfect! Even by international standards, this review kicks butt. I'd put Chris Harris' video reviews right up there with this written review on the car.

So which one would you take? Or rather, which one sounds better? The V6 or the V8? :D

Outstanding review, thank you so much. My big beef with the last season of Top Gear is that they feature or review the F-type at all. The F definitely finds a spot in my dream garage (along with the V12 Vantage stick shift).

Speaking of stick shifts, while I think the F is a stunning car with brilliant dynamics and performance, I really mourn the absence of a proper manual shifter. Nothing that can be done about it I suppose - the manual gearbox really has become an endangered species. I guess I should just make my peace with it.

Btw.. since you've already gotten the 5-star review, I thought I'd show my appreciation for this superb review by thanking each one of your posts individually! Cheers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by suhaas307 (Post 3131089)

So which one would you take? Or rather, which one sounds better? The V6 or the V8? :D

Thanks Suhaas, V8 obviously sounds better but if i were in India i would be happy with the V6S.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostrider (Post 3131108)

the manual gearbox really has become an endangered species. I guess I should just make my peace with it.

Thank you ghostrider for the kind words, and as you rightly pointed out the days of the manual shift is over. None of the mainstream manufacturers are now investing much on development of these manual box's, and one can't really blame them. Whatever said and done, manual shift can't match the speed of shift the autobox's offer. Plus having a manual clutch really complicates matter when it goes into a 300-400 bhps engine combo. So i guess these manual mode is the best compromise one can have now on.