New for 2016
The F-TYPE gets a number of updates for 2016, including an available six-speed manual transmission, all-wheel drive, and InControl Touch infotainment system.
A Sports Car and a Luxury Car In One
The 2016 Jaguar F-TYPE is the archetypal sports car. Its beautiful styling is tightly stretched over a rear-wheel drive chassis and powerful engines that make every drive a thrill. Yet the F-TYPE is more than a throwback to the days of leather driving gloves and cabbie hats.
While it’s no slouch on a fast road, the F-TYPE is also just as comfortable on a long cruise as any of the automaker’s other luxury cars. It’s also packed with the same amount of technology, and is even available with all-wheel drive for maximum control on less-than-perfect surfaces. It offers much more than raw performance.
Powertrains and Performance
At launch, the Jaguar F-TYPE already offered a smorgasbord of tasty performance powertrain options, and there’s even more to choose from for 2016 with newly-available six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive options.
The base model F-TYPE comes equipped with a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 that produces 340 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. It’s available with either the new six-speed manual or the existing eight-speed automatic with rear-wheel drive.
In this specification, Jaguar says the F-TYPE will do 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds with the automatic, and 5.5 seconds with the manual. The top speed is 161 mph with either transmission. EPA fuel-economy figures are only available for the automatic, and it’s rated at 22 mpg combined (10 mpg city, 28 mpg highway).*
Next up is the F-TYPE S, which features a more powerful version of the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 producing 380 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. That will get it from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds with the automatic (4.9 with all-wheel drive), or 5.3 seconds with the manual, or a top speed of 171 mph no matter which transmission you choose.
The F-TYPE S is available with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, although the latter requires the automatic transmission. EPA fuel-economy ratings are only available for the automatic, and with it the F-TYPE S gets 22 mpg combined (19 mpg city, 27 mpg highway)* with rear-wheel drive and 21 mpg combined (18 mpg city, 26 mpg highway)* with all-wheel drive.
If you want serious performance from your convertible sports car, though, the F-TYPE R is the only option. This ultimate F-TYPE comes with a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 producing 550 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque. Available only with the eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, it leaps from 0 to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds, and on to a top speed of 186 mph.
EPA-rated fuel economy for the F-TYPE R convertible is 18 mpg combined (15 mpg city, 23 mpg highway).*
Features and Trims
The 2016 Jaguar F-TYPE convertible is a two-seat soft-top; a hardtop coupe is also available. Pricing starts at $68,100.**
Standard features on the base F-TYPE include single-zone automatic climate control, ambient interior lighting, sport seats, Bi-Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights and taillights, navigation, and an eight-inch central display screen.
In addition to the applicable standard features from the base F-TYPE, the F-TYPE S includes the more-powerful V6 engine, as well as a limited-slip differential for better traction and sport suspension for better handling.
The top F-TYPE R model includes all of the applicable standard features from the F-TYPE and F-TYPE S, plus the 5.0-liter supercharged V8, quad exhaust, 20-inch alloy wheels, a three-spoke, flat-bottomed steering wheel, full leather interior, heated seats, and other features.
Optional equipment includes carbon-ceramic brakes, a Vision Pack that adds adaptive headlights, front and rear park aids, a rearview camera, and other driver aids, and several options for wheels and trim to help personalize your car.
Design
The F-TYPE name is a reference to the classic E-Type, the most iconic Jaguar model and possibly the best-looking sports car of all time. Luckily for today’s buyer, the F-TYPE channels plenty of its namesake’s visual magic.
The hood is long, the rear deck is short, and the grille is wide and ovoid. It’s about as close to a modern-day E-Type as you can get, but the F-TYPE also makes its own statement with styling cues such as the blade-like LED taillights and LED daytime running lights.
The interior is simple yet luxurious. There’s a three-spoke steering wheel and analog gauges, but also redundant controls on that steering wheel, and a TFT display wedged between those gauges. Sport seats help hold driver and passenger in place, and can be covered in either suede cloth or leather.
For 2016, the F-TYPE is also available with the latest version of the Jaguar InControl infotainment system, which includes the InControl Apps feature for added connectivity.
Safety
Standard safety equipment on the 2016 Jaguar F-TYPE convertible includes anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls, front and side airbags, and a rollover protection system. Rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring are also available as options.
Bottom Line
The 2016 Jaguar F-TYPE is a sports car for the 21st century, one that will continue to amaze and thrill well into its lifespan.
Be sure to contact us online or visit 3Birds Template to schedule a test drive.
*EPA estimates. Your mileage will vary depending on driving habits and conditions.
**Prices listed are the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price for the vehicle and options chosen by you. These prices do not include transportation, taxes, title, other options, dealer installation costs, or other dealer charges.
Image: Jaguar (European model shown)
