Staff Photo by Mark Kennedy
The 2018 Jaguar F Type coupe offers luxury seating for two.
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Reviewing multiple automobiles a week can be a blur.
Occasionally, though, you see a vehicle with such style and personality that every meeting is an event. I can almost tell you "date" and "place" for every time I've fired up a Jaguar F-Type, one of the most beautiful production cars in the world.
The F-Type's exterior styling may shape your first impression, but it's the car's melodious exhaust note that will cause you to fall in love. Under hard throttle, the F-Type emits enough delightful crackles and pops to give you goosebumps. Slam down the accelerator inside one of our Chattanooga-area tunnels and you will feel like you're strapped to an active firework.
The F-Type comes in convertible and coupe configurations, and our tester this week is a 2018 Yulong White coupe. It's a special edition 400 Sport version that makes 4oo horsepower and sprints from zero-to-60 mph in under five seconds.
Locally, F-Types are available at Jaguar Chattanooga on Lee Highway. The dealership listed two F-Type coupes and one F-Type 400 Sport convertible in its digital inventory this week.
JUST THE BASICS
The Jaguar F-Type is a two-seat sports car. There are more than a half-dozen coupe and convertible trim levels ranging in price from about $60,000 to well into six-figures. Our 400 Sport Coupe tester is a special edition of the V-6 F-Type coupe, juiced to produce 400 horsepower. It has a base price of $89,500 before options.
The F-Type 400 Sport is equipped with a 3.0-liter, supercharged V-6 engine mated to a 8-speed automatic transmission. A tweaked front fascia and headlight treatment are part of a recent cosmetic refresh.
WORTHWHILE OPTIONS
Upgrading the standard rear-wheel-drive set-up to all-wheel-drive is a wise move for Chattanooga drivers. All-wheel-drive helps you transfer all that power to the road, especially if highway conditions are not ideal. This week's 70-degree days have masked the fact that we are still in the middle of winter in the Tennessee Valley.
Also, if you are a real performance junkie, Jaguar has just the car for you: a V-8 version of the F-Type called the SVR bristling with 575-horsepower.
COOL STUFF
The F-Type's cool factor boils down to its appealing shape and growl. From the front, it's a handsome coupe in the mold of the Mazda MX-5 Miata. From the rear, with it's bulging fenders and oversized rear tires, it becomes the automotive equivalent of a sex symbol. If you don't like being looked at, don't buy an F-Type.
WHAT WE WISH FOR
It's hard to find fault with the F-Type. If you opt for the coupe, though, be aware that the sunroof is fixed. If you want the air in your hair, get the convertible.
ALSO LOOK AT
The brand new Lexus LC 500, one of the stars of the new movie "Black Panther," may give the F-Type a run for its money in the styling department. Some will also cross-shop the striking Chevrolet Corvette.
Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6645.