Jaguar F-Type 75 coupe is a fitting (and sad) end to a sports car icon
If you can, get one.
I’m referring here to the Jaguar F-Type 75 coupe that is the company’s last hoorah to the internal combustion engine (ICE) before they’re forever consigned to the annals of history as they head into an all-electric future in 2025.
Lots has been said and written about that decision given Jaguar’s illustrious heritage but there’s no turning back now.
I fully understand the need to protect the environment and vehicle manufacturers’ commitment to that, and while there is a thrill about the immediate torque offered by electric cars it tends to wear off, while the sweet sound of a roaring V8 never gets boring.
Now, if only massive carbon-emitting industries would show the same dedication.
In the case of the F-Type 75 it comes in two 5.0-litre V8 guises; a 331kW with 580Nm and a 423kW, 700Nm version both coupled to a supercharger and the 75 denotes 75 years of ICE Sportscar production at Jaguar. Even more reason to lament the decision.
Launched in 2013 as a coupe and convertible it’s had a couple of upgrades over the years and even after 11 years its design still has the ability to turn heads and I reckon in another 11 years it will still be just as striking.
Like its siblings in the Jaguar Land Rover stable there’s not a curve, corner or piece of aluminum that jars the eye.
The super-slim LED headlights, sweeping indicators, clamshell bonnet, 20-inch gloss black alloys, red brake calipers, quad exhaust tips showing from the rear diffuser and in the case of this version, subtle badges on the front fenders everything just looks right as you would expect from a Jag.
The lightweight heated and cooled slimline body hugging seats are covered in Windsor leather and have monogram stitch pattern, with Jaguar Leaper motifs in the headrests.
The driver’s side of the two seater cockpit has a 12.3-inch digital display dominated by a large central rev-counter and when you switch to Dynamic mode it turns red.
Unlike so many cars today the dashboard isn’t dominated by an enormous touchscreen but rather a more subtle 10-inch version that does the job well and thankfully there are buttons, knobs and dials to control various settings so you don’t have to go into sub menus of sub menus.
A cool feature is the centre air vents that gently lift out of the dash when the air conditioning is switched on.
That’s all fantastically put together but the car’s beating heart is that V8 under the bonnet.
Pushing the start button unleashed a host of feel-good pheromones as it bursts into life. It also has a switchable active exhaust system that allows the exhaust to rumble while you potter around in Normal mode.
Once you switch to Dynamic it snaps, crackles and pops like Guy Fawks night with a symphony that only a Supercharged 5.0-litre V8 can deliver.
Ironically it’s a sound that Jaguar have recorded and archived in the British Library for future generations to enjoy. Poor them that won’t be able to experience it in real life.
It’s more than just that though, the F-Type has the handling to match.
Stomp on the pedal and the 331kW version we had on test doesn’t so much rip the skin off your face but moves forward swiftly using all four wheels to propel it along to 100km/h in 4.6 seconds and will top out at 285km/h.
Power is sent via an eight-speed Quickshift transmission that also has full manual control via the SportShift gear selector or steering wheel mounted paddles that add a fantastic touch to its sporting heritage.
Despite the angry noise from the tailpipes the F-Type is remarkably smooth and easy to drive and boy does it like the twisties.
All-wheel drive, electronic active rear differential, double wishbone front and rear suspension, Torque Vectoring by Braking, die cast aluminium rear knuckles and electric power-assisted steering all combine into an engineer’s dream when blasting through corners.
I’m no engineer but I do know when things come together once you start pressing hard.
And when the rear wing extends at higher speeds, the steering, suspension and gear shifts tighten up and the exhaust plays along in Dynamic mode while your passenger stares nervously at the next corner you feel like it’s almost driving nirvana.
The F-Type never feels like it’s out of control, there’s an air of sophistication about it almost like a high-jinks party at Buckingham Palace I would imagine.
Once you’ve switched the engine off, locked the doors and walked away while glancing at it, you can’t help but admire the Jaguar F-Type 75 and thank the driving gods for the opportunity of experiencing something that will soon be a unicorn and a sound bite in a library.
The Jaguar F-Type 75 coupe is priced at R2,105,600 while the more powerful, while the more powerful R75 version retails at R3,009,900.