Jaguar F-Type

Jaguar F-Type at a glance

You can find the rest of the brand's range in our Jaguar catalogue.

From C-X16 concept to production

The F-Type name had a long and troubled pre-history: a project started in 1980 was cancelled in 1990, and a concept shown in 2000 was dropped in 2002. The production car's direct ancestor was the C-X16 concept of 2011, a hybrid coupé with a 280 kW (380 PS) supercharged V6 and a 70 kW electric motor.

The convertible came first. Production started in December 2012 and the market launch followed on 25 May 2013. The fastback coupé was revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show in late 2013 and reached European showrooms in spring 2014. Factory production of the V8-powered R started on 13 November 2013. For the 2015 model year Jaguar added all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual for the V6.

Versions of the X152 generation

The F-Type had one generation. Jaguar refreshed it twice, and ADAC splits it into three phases: 2013-2017, 2017-2019 and 2020-2024.

The facelift was unveiled in December 2019 for the 2021 model year. It brought a redesigned front end and slimmer Pixel LED headlights, slimmer tail lights, a 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster and a 10-inch Touch Pro touchscreen. The engine range was simplified: the V6 stayed only in North America, and the SVR was discontinued, its 423 kW output passing to the R.

Engines, transmissions and performance

Acceleration figures are as listed by Wikipedia; some are measured to 97 km/h (60 mph) rather than 100 km/h and can differ slightly by body and drive. The 2.0-litre, added in 2018, was Jaguar's first four-cylinder sports car. Every engine is chain-driven.

All F-Types could be ordered with the eight-speed ZF 8HP automatic with paddles; from 2015 the V6 models were also offered with a six-speed ZF manual. The V6 S used a mechanical limited-slip differential, the V8 an electronic one. AWD adds about 80 kg; it is optional on the P380 and P450 and standard on the SVR and P575. To convert outputs between kW, PS and bhp, our power converter does the arithmetic.

Special editions: Project 7, SVR and ZP Edition

The Project 7 was a convertible with the SVR's 423 kW (575 PS) V8, a D-Type-inspired "aero haunch" behind the driver and a fixed rear spoiler, limited to 250 cars. The SVR, introduced at Geneva in 2016 with AWD only, was built 1,875 times. The 400 Sport was a one-year edition with a 294 kW (400 PS) V6, bigger brakes and 20-inch wheels. The last was the ZP Edition, based on the R P575 and limited to 150 coupés and convertibles. Lister also converted F-Type coupés into the LFT-666 with 490 kW (666 PS), limited to 99 coupés and 10 convertibles.

Dimensions, space and boot

Luggage space is the F-Type's weak point, and the published figures disagree. Auto Express quotes 132 litres for the convertible, a space the optional space-saver spare wheel fills completely, and gives both 336 litres (Jaguar's claim) and 407 litres for the coupé. Either way, the coupé with its tailgate is the more practical car.

Fuel economy and running costs

Litre figures are conversions of the official UK mpg values. Servicing is due every 12 months or 16,000 miles (about 25,700 km); Auto Express put minor services at GBP 400-700 and the ninth and tenth services at GBP 1,000-1,600 (2021, roughly EUR 460-810 and EUR 1,160-1,860). New prices in the UK ranged from about GBP 62,000 to more than GBP 100,000 (2021, roughly EUR 72,000 to EUR 116,000).

Trims and equipment

Early cars were named by engine: F-Type, F-Type S, V8 S and later R and SVR. From the 2018 model year Jaguar switched to output-based names such as P300, P380, P450 and P575, with R-Dynamic as the sportier trim line. The facelift made the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and the 10-inch Touch Pro screen part of the package, while 20-inch ten-spoke wheels, uprated brakes and Configurable Dynamics were the calling cards of the sportier editions such as the 400 Sport.

Safety

Euro NCAP never tested the F-Type, which is common for low-volume sports cars, so there is no star rating. For rated models of the brand, see our safety ratings.

Reliability and known issues

Auto Express counted thirteen recalls, the first in October 2014. They covered an engine-bay short circuit, a spoiler software fault, faulty anti-roll bars, seatbelt pretensioners, fuel leaks and a fractured crank-pulley bolt, so a buyer should check that every recall has been done. The same review notes that the automatic gearbox fluid should be changed every 70,000 miles (about 112,000 km) even though it is described as sealed for life, that dashboard air vents and the pop-out door handles can fail, and that underbody bracing can corrode; dealers replaced affected parts under warranty. Carbon-ceramic brake parts are very expensive. In the 2015 Driver Power new-car survey the F-Type ranked 34th overall but 72nd for reliability.

Rivals

Auto Express also lists the BMW M4, Mercedes-AMG C 63, Audi RS 5, Alpine A110 and Toyota Supra as alternatives. Set them side by side in our comparison tool.

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