MOTORISTS with a penchant for Jaguars will definitely find this latest cat appealing. Its prestige, luxurious design and exquisite quality will certainly sit well with the young at heart and, more important, those who crave speed and style.
With the recent launch of the new F-Type Coupe at the Jaguar Lifestyle Center in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), the company proved that its cars are simply getting better and are keeping with the preferences of a new generation of enthusiasts.
Marc Soong, executive director of Jaguar Philippines, said, “Jaguar is very exclusive and we cater to businessmen. With the launch of the new F-Type Coupe, we are trying to reach out to a young audience, who love styling and high performance. This is an exciting time for us as we are changing the image of our brand.”
Soong added, “The F-Type is the predecessor of E-type. After 53 years, the F-Type is the only car to follow the E-Type.
Visual appeals are fundamental to every Jaguar car. That’s why the design (of the new F-Type Coupe) is based on the C-X16 concept, which won the 2013 World Car Design of the Year award.”
Up front, the formidable grille of the F-Type with twin openings immediately greets bystanders. Inspired by its long gone predecessor, the E-Type, the F-Type Coupe features a muscular yet elegant design drawn from its curvaceous shoulders all the way to its rear.
Due to the lack of B-pillars, Jaguar engineers were presented with the challenge of keeping the design’s sleek, pillarless, low roofline—combined with the need to create the optimum amount of interior space—while still achieving the necessary rigidity and strength. The solution was a high-strength, hydro-formed aluminum alloy beam, which runs from the front of the A-pillar through to the back of the D-pillar, through the door opening line and back to the rear quarter window.
In terms of styling, the F-Type Coupe body is both sporty and luxurious. Its lightweight body, which is made from cold-formed aluminum construction, enhances agility, allowing precise handling and nimble cornering.
The F-Type Coupe is available with either aluminum or panoramic glass roof panels that are bonded into the main roof structure—torsional rigidity is identical regardless of which roof fits. Inside, you’ll be mesmerized by its cabin. The cabin architecture is designed to provide optimum visibility with minimal distractions. With its driver-focused cockpit and clear instrumentation, the F-Type interior conveys a combination of functional ergonomics and sporting style.
Also onboard is the three-spoke steering wheel that incorporates key functions for ease of control. Gear selector paddles, mounted behind the spokes, let you select gears sequentially with your fingertips without taking your hands from the wheel. There’s also a console-mounted Jaguar SportShift Selector with full Auto Mode or a Sport Mode, which allows manual operation for even greater driver involvement. Sequential gear selection is provided by tipping the lever forward to shift down a ratio, and pulling it back to shift up a gear.
The F-Type has an eight-inch color touch-screen that provides intuitive control of many features, including navigation and infotainment.
The F-Type Coupe is available with either a V6 or V8 engine. The 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine produces 385 pherda starke and 460 newton meter (Nm) of torque. It can speed up to 100 kilometres per hour in 4.8 seconds with a top speed of 275 kilometres per hour, while the 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine generates 550 horsepower, 600 Nm of torque and hits 100 kph in four seconds with a top speed of 300 kph. Jaguar has yet to reveal the price of its newest offering but the British car manufacturer revealed that it will be comparable to its competitors, like the Cayman and 911.
Visit the Jaguar showroom at the Jaguar Lifestyle Center at 32nd and 4th Crescent Park West in BGC in Taguig City.
Image credits: Kris C. Lim, Kris Lim