2023 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe

The Jaguar F-Type R Coupe may not be the newest vehicle on the road these days but that doesn’t take away from its allure. Introduced in 2013, the F-Type R harkens back the iconic golden age of British grand touring sports cars. Here, consider it the spiritual successor to the Legendary Jaguar E-Type. At Napleton News, we think we might be partially British (my mother was Canadian), so we’re all about a British GT sports car. Hop in (gingerly) and let’s go!

What’s the Jaguar F-Type R about?

Start with a two-seat short wheelbase sports car. The F-Type in our case was a coupe version although a convertible is also available. The standard P450 powertrain is helmed by a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 delivering 444 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque.

But ours was special.

Not really, but since this was a Jaguar F-Type R Coupe, we were spoiled with a tweaked version of the same engine. This time, the 5.0-liter V8 produced 575 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. It’s mated to an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shift levers. Power is routed to all four wheels thanks to Jaguar all-wheel drive with Intelligent Driveline Dynamics. The system doesn’t just react to changes in traction. It predicts it. Meaning when it senses a loss of traction at one wheel, it shifts to the other wheels with better grip for uninterrupted driving excellence.

If we are speaking of wheels, (we were), the F-Type R rides on 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels.

How does the Type R look?

It looks like sex on four wheels, yes it does. The Jaguar F-Type R features a look that resembles the early E-Type roadster and coupe. We are partial to the coupe with its long nose and short rear overhang, and also for its ability to shut out the sun. As compact as the coupe is, it still manages to heat up its occupants within the tight confines of the cabin.

Our test vehicle featured a fixed panoramic roof that does not open because of the sloping fastback of the roofline. A pair of quad pipes poke out below the bumper on both sides of the rear fascia. But the real cool feature is the flip up spoiler that deploys when a certain speed is hit.

How about inside the F-Type R?

The interior of the F-Type R hasn’t really progressed since it was introduced in 2013. So you shouldn’t be surprised with its old-school vibe. It will be fine for most but we think it’s due for an update.

Enter the Jaguar F-Type R with caution. It requires a bit of care to prevent a head bop or worse. But once inside, the highly-bolstered buckets and adjustable steering wheel offer a wide variety of adjustments. It’s just the thing to get you comfortable before your journey.

Ventilated and heated seats offer extra comfort depending on the elements, and a 900-watt Meridian audio system helps soothe the soul for the road ahead. The dashboard is anchored by a 12.3-inch configurable driver info display. A 10.1-inch infotainment screen provides access to the navigation, audio, cellular and climate control systems.

Although there’s not much storage space inside the cabin, there is an automatic opening rear hatch that hides storage space large enough for a couple of roll-aboard suitcases.

Behind the wheel of the F-Type R

As are most things British, the Jaguar is a proper sports car. Sure, it has a raft of electronics inside but it harkens back to the days when you could actually “wear the car” as though it were a part of you.

The F-Type’s steering is stellar. It’s as though you were piloting a go-kart. It offers a feel that directly connects you with the road thanks to its standard adaptive suspension. At times, though, it transmits too much in the way of road noise. This goes with the territory, especially when dealing with sports cars.

The throaty growl from the 5.0-liter supercharged V8 is absolutely intoxicating. Start with a roar from the ignition button and follow up with a healthy blip of the throttle. By squeezing the skinny pedal you’ll make an impressive getaway. But the real fun happens when you stand on it. You’ll be awarded with a sound not unlike a band of demons followed by a push back into the seats. Look into the rearview mirror to see that your rear decklid spoiler has deployed leading to a bit of traction-inducing downforce.

It’s music to our ears. We’re sure you’ll have a similar taste in music, too.

Jaguar F-Type R Specifications

	2023 Jaguar F-Type R Specifications
Popular Powertrains
Engine Type	5.0-liter intercooled supercharged V8
Horsepower	575 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Torque	516 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm
Transmission	8-speed automatic transmission
Fuel Economy	18 mpg (16 city/24 hwy)
Suspension F/R	Double Wishbone/Double Wishbone
Turning Circle	37.1 ft.
Also Available	Other variations
Specs
Warranty	5 years/60,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty	5 years/60,000 miles
NHTSA Safety Rating	Not Rated
Max Seating Capacity	2
Wheelbase	103.2 inches
Overall Length	176.0 inches
Width	74.2 inches
Height	51.6 inches
Headroom, Front	36.8 inches
Legroom, Front	42.8 inches
Headroom, Rear	N/A
Legroom, Rear	N/A
Shoulder Room, Front	56.5 inches
Shoulder, Rear	N/A
Cargo Space	N/A