JAGUAR’S first two-seater sports car since the iconic 1961, the E-Type which made its world debut at the Musee Rondin in Paris, arrived in Namibia last week. And Jaguar fans can visit the Jaguar Windhoek showroom to view or test drive the latest in a distinguished Jaguar bloodlines which will change your life forever.
The F-TYPE is a true Jaguar sports car, with jaw dropping good looks, a front-engined, rear-wheel drive convertible that is available in three potent variants. Prices range from N$870 000 to N$971 000, already four of these beauties are on order for customers, according Jaguar Windhoek.
The base F-Type has Jaguar’s new three-litre V6 supercharged petrol engine with 250kW (0-100 in 5.1sec, 260km/h flat out); the F-Type S has the same engine tuned for 280kW (4.8 seconds and 275km/h) and the supercharged, five-litre F-Type V8S with 364kW is good for 0-100 in 4.2 seconds and 300km/h.
Each of the three engines drives through an eight-speed Quickshift close-ratio automatic gearbox with super-quick changes available through the gear-shifter or via paddles, one on each side of the power-adjustable steering column.
An active exhaust system, which is standard on the S and V8 S models has valves that open under load from 3000rpm, building to a seriously authoritative sound-track at the redline. An active rear spoiler deploys at speed to reduce lift by up to 120kg.
The ‘one plus one’ layout of the asymmetric cabin is emphasised by the grab handle, which sweeps down the centre console on the passenger side, separating it from the driver’s seat.
The controls are ergonomically grouped by function, as they are in a military aircraft – which was also the inspiration for the joystick-shaped gear selector controlling the eight-speed transmission. The air vents on top of the dashboard only pop up when instructed to by either the driver or the climate control systems; the rest of the time they stay tucked discreetly out of sight.
The superb cockpit design, excellent visibility and minimal distractions put the driver in command. The instruments are simple, clear and easy to read. Analogue dials, the Jaguar SportShift Selector, 8 inch Touch-screen and a host of other innovative features such as Dual Mode Rotary Controls provide the driver with everything he or she needs to focus on enjoying the road ahead.
You can customize your F-TYPE to suit your needs with a range of body colours, wheels, tailored interior styling and packs to help you create your individual F-TYPE. A wide range of accessories are also available from your local Jaguar dealership.
The F-Type is built around the fourth generation of Jaguar’s lightweight aluminium architecture, with a new sports-car design language for Jaguar that achieves cleaner lines through the discreet use of technology such as deployable rear spoiler and door handles.
It’s also the greenest Jaguar yet, according to the maker. The Jaguar F-TYPE has been named the 2013 World Car Design of the Year. The F-TYPE is a sports car that is true to Jaguar’s design values – beauty of line and purity of form. F-Type is available as a fabric-topped convertible only for now,
By Donna Collins
