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Jaguar E-type 400 sport

Published on Tue, Apr 24, 2018

By: John Grafman

Stepping out nearly six decades ago, and about one hundred miles outside of Los Angeles would mean landing in Palm Springs.

The terrain favored by movie stars and snowbirds. Dotting the welcoming landscape and hills near Mount San Jacinto, architects using novel approaches accelerated the development of, as we know it now, the Modernism movement. The period correct and desired car for this outing would be without a doubt the fantastic Jaguar E-type.

While time travel is out of the question, Palm Springs is still just a few hours away. Jaguar has long since stopped the production of the E-Type, but it’s heritage lives on in the F-TYPE.

Jaguar’s new coupe is alluring. This is where a driver actually wants to spend their day. The promise of the design is also delivered in the performance of the Jaguar. Far too often cars don’t live up to the styling, with all manner of aero-looking pieces, but don’t have the power or precision to match. This is a different story.

With ample seat-time, it’s not hard to become fond of the use of materials and the quality of the fit and finish. This particular F-TYPE stands apart from it’s brethren and will be available just for one year. This is the Jaguar F-TYPE 400 SPORT.

As the name indicates, the 3-liter, supercharged V6 engine is engineered to push out an additional 20 ponies, for a total of 400 horsepower. This is endowed with all the best goodies including a Quickshift eight-speed transmission, a mechanical limited-slip differential, the Super Performance package that includes massive disc brakes (380mm vented disc, twin-piston sliding caliper front; 376mm vented disc, single-piston sliding caliper rear) with torque vectoring, and the Configurable Dynamics package that provides the pilot control over throttle, transmission shift points, steering, and dampers. This particular car is set up with all-wheel drive, although it is available with just rear-wheel drive.

The 400 SPORT is energetic, and has plenty of go-power even at the lowest speeds. The 460 lb. ft. of torque will haul the Jaguar’s 3,690 pounds to 60 miles an hour in 4.9 seconds. Given enough room, like on the flat desert floor, 171 miles per hour is attainable.

The Quickshift knob on the center console is easy enough to use, but visually checking that it is engaged in drive is helpful, as it is possible miss the mark. The 400 SPORT also comes with the anodized aluminum gearshift paddles.

Certainly, the button that regulates the exhaust note will be used to announce the arrival of the Jaguar, when suitable.

At speed, the rear wing elevates for additional downforce. The extra grip is appreciated under hard driving. However, the rearward vision in the coupe is a bit compromised due to the tapering design of the greenhouse, and the wing only crimps that further. Nevertheless, it is easy enough to deal with.

On the subject of grip, the 400 SPORT model is treated to stealth-like dark grey satin finish, 20” wheels with enough rubber to keep this planted firmly. The front tires are P255/35R20, and the rear set at P295/30R20 perfectly satisfies the proportions of the bulging fenders.

Dimensionally, the car spans 176.5” long, 80.3” wide with mirrors, and 51.6” tall. The form offers a reasonable size cabin for most adults, with a small enough footprint to be sporting.

Flogging the Jaguar through the canyons, this cat loves to pounce. The quick uptake of the motor and the balanced braking, even when pushed hard, are completely engaging. The driver hunts for more roads to challenge, as befits a real sports car. Aiding the handling, independent wishbone suspension in all corners keeps this kitty composed. Clearly, screwing up has it’s downsides when faced with either guardrail or cliff side. The surefootedness of the 400 SPORT does not disappoint. As this always has more power to offer, this beckons the pilot to up their game, just to wring out more from the car.

At Willow Springs Racetrack, the results are very much the same with one of the 400 SPORT’s siblings. The Jag is confidence inducing on the big track. Three brief laps are enough to feel the composure this has at high speed. All systems in the Jaguar allow the driver to focus more on charging hard at the next corner rather than being nervous. Correcting when the tail goes wide is relatively easy, as the driver feedback is informative and instantaneous. Even a relative novice will be able to get the hang of this quickly. And, truth be told, this is about as much fun as one could ask for!

Like the Jaguars that came before this, the 400 SPORT comes at a price. The AWD model, such as this one, comes in at $92,500. The F-TYPE comes in 28 different variants, with pricing that falls on both sides of this limited-edition model. Prices range from $59,900 to $121,900.

The interior has the type of touches that not only harken back to the E-Type, but also does so with modern elegance. In particular, the toggle switches on the IP are as pleasing to the eye as they are to actuate. Other features showcase modern technology. The fixed position glass panoramic roof rolls into the windshield, producing an unusual sensation unlike really any other sunroof, or even convertible for that matter.

Wayne Burgess, Jaguar’s Director of Production Studio & SVO Projects, tells us. “In all honesty, the form of the glass house wasn’t particularly challenging to deliver for either the engineering or design teams on F-TYPE, such is the capability of modern glass forming techniques and our experience in developing large, complex glass panels.”

The 400 SPORT has numerous visual cues to make this stand out from other F-TYPEs. Throughout the interior, the premium leather interior is enhanced with contrasting yellow stitching, as does the 400 SPORT logo embroidered onto the steering wheel and seat headrests. This model comes with the embracing, 12-way adjustable slimline performance seats. Additionally, the logo is applied to the black-brushed aluminum center console finisher and the sill treadplates.

This limited-edition model comes in three paint colors, Indus Silver, Santorini Black, or Yulong White paint. Complimenting this on the 400 SPORT are a prominent front splitter, complimented with the yellow badging. Plus, the color of the extended side sills and rear diffuser match the wheels. Finally, a dark satin grey 400 SPORT badge on the rear completes the exterior picture.

Wayne also points out, “Limited Editions provide the design team with the opportunity to have a bit of fun; especially on a car like F-TYPE where we can reference our racing heritage, for example. It’s all about providing customers with additional reasons to purchase, and, in simple terms, we like to create cars that we’d want to drive ourselves!”

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