Motoring News
Today, 19 March 2014Jaguar F-type R coupe first drive review
Most powerful Jaguar F-type coupe is sensational to drive, with even better driving dynamics than its convertible sibling
The most powerful version of Jaguar’s new sports car, the long-awaited F-type coupé. The top-spec V8 sits alongside its supercharged V6 siblings, although none of the range should be described as underpowered. The base V6 has 337bhp available, rising to 376bhp in the V6 S and ending with an impressive 542bhp in V8 form.Most staggering about the new F-type coupé is the simple fact that Jaguar has improved the torsional rigidity of the convertible by 80 per cent. That such a large change can come from adding a fixed aluminium roof is more than impressive, with the extra metal turning the F-type into a true monocoque structure in the process.The extra rigidity means Jaguar engineers have been able to make the new F-type coupé even better to drive, granting extra dynamic ability by raising its spring rates at the front and rear. The coupé should have more control, better agility and greater steering precision than the convertible, then. And that was hardly lacking in the first place.Size wise, the all-aluminium, front-engined, rear-drive F-type coupé is comparable to a BMW 3-series. Indeed, it shares many of its components with Jaguar’s own upcoming 3-series rival, the XE.
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