Jaguar’s F-Type received a very subtle nip and tuck for the 2019 model year. The curvaceous aluminium body still turns heads, and you can delete the spoiler if you fancy. It’s not like you’re going to be able to go fast enough for it to be really useful. There are new wheels too, and some trim changes inside. A 10” ProTouch screen is standard, and includes Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, at last. Hoorah!
OUTSIDE:
The subtle changes include tricky new nomenclatures. Our 2.0L car is now known as a P300. 300 being the number of horses under the bonnet. 300hp=221kw, or thereabouts. The Brits cling to their imperial measures like a climber out of breath. The 6 pot models are known as P340 and P380, while the V8 SVR remains as is, in its testosterone-laden brilliance.
INSIDE:
A new frameless mirror, and new vent designs and almost indiscernible from the 2018 car. In I’m not even going to mention it.
THE DRIVE:
After our last look at Jag’s 2.0L F-Type, we were inundated with literally, an email. Caustic comments on such shortcomings as the puny boot, and so-so performance, were coupled with a clear case of envy-inspired gall. To answer these, and other questions, we set the coupe a few simple tests. First, exactly what can the boot hold? To that end we shoved in a couple of carefully curated care packages in the form of soft totes times 2.
To add more mayhem, my misinformed mate metered much merriment by sticking a hard-cased carry-on in for good measure. That’s 3 bags ladies and gents, in a boot termed as tiny. Not to be outdone, I tipped out the totes, and brought in a box. The boot battled the box but for a moment, before swallowing it whole.
Of course this was only made possible by jettisoning the space-saver spare. Fear not, there is a puncture kit to repair tired tyres. You’re better off calling a little man from the village to come with another wheel though. Repair kits are notoriously ineffective at repairing tyres. They had one job! Buoyed by better braking, we headed out, bound for our bucolic B and B. Cornering uses torque vectoring by braking, but only if your rear end starts feeling frisky.
The second myth much maligns the microscopic motor’s [itiful performance. 2 litres is insufficient according to those who have never driven it. To them I say, “check out the instant facelift a 5.7second 0-100 sprint brings you.” So there. I’m oft amused by the uninformed. So, to our weekend away. Into the unknown we headed. Only briefly were we able to take advantage of a high-speed ribbon of black. We turned off the highway where Australian B-roads test the temperament of even the most determined drivers. We were not put off, oh no. The back roads are positively packed points of interest. Bends and turns unfold in ever-more exciting events, each testing man and machine. But, there is rest to be had. What I discovered, not to my surprise, is that F-Type is not wanting, not in any way.
In fact you could easily cross the continent and be home in time for tea.