2015 F-Type R Specs and Video

2015 F-TYPE R (all data/specs below from Jaguar USA)

http://www.jaguarusa.com/all-models/f-type/f-type-models/index.html

     (3.0Liter V6 380 HP Supercharged S Model)

With soaring performance, the F-TYPE R Coupe offers outstanding levels of dynamic capability and control. Its 5.0 liter supercharged V8 engine produces 550 horsepower, accelerating from 0-60 mph in just 4.0 seconds.³ The F-TYPE R features an Electronic Active Differential, Jaguar Super Performance Braking System, and Sport Suspension with Adaptive Dynamics.⁴

MSRP From $99,000

Includes F-TYPE Coupe S standard features, plus:

o    550 hp V8 Supercharged

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o    186 mph top speed³

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o    20 inch Gyrodyne Silver alloy wheels

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o    Jaguar Super Performance Braking System with Red calipers

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o    Sport suspension with Adaptive Dynamics⁴

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o    Switchable Active Sport Exhaust with quad exhaust pipes

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o    Configurable Dynamics System

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o    Electronic Active Differential with Torque Vectoring by braking

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o    Performance seats with leather facings and ‘R’ embossing

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o    3-spoke leather flat-bottomed steering wheel with Ignis gear shift paddles

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o    Dark Technical Weave Aluminum console trim with ‘R’ graphic

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o    Configurable Ambient Interior Lighting with selectable palette

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o    Dual Zone Climate Control

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o    Reverse Parking Sensors⁴

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o    Climate Pack with heated seats and heated steering wheel

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o    Garage Door Opener

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o    HD Radio™ and Sirius Satellite Radio^®

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o    Meridian™ 770W Audio System

F-TYPE ENGINES AND PERFORMANCE

Power, agility and performance in a pure Jaguar sports car.

3.0 Liter V6 340 HP  Supercharged

3.0 Liter V6 380 HP  Supercharged

5.0 Liter V8 495 HP  Supercharged

5.0 Liter V8 550 HP  Supercharged

Acceleration 0-60 mph3	5.1 seconds	4.8 seconds	4.2 seconds	4.0 seconds
Top speed3	161 mph	171 mph	186 mph	186 mph
(MANUF. EST.)

City Estimate	20 mpg	19 mpg	16 mpg	16 mpg
Highway Estimate	28 mpg	27 mpg	23 mpg	23 mpg
Combined Estimate	23 mpg	22 mpg	18 mpg	18 mpg
Fuel tank capacity (approx.)	18.5 gallons	18.5 gallons	18.5 gallons	18.5 gallons
EPA EST. 2

Configuration	V6	V6	V8	V8
Displacement	3.0 L	3.0 L	5.0 L	5.0 L
Maximum Power @ RPM	340 hp @ 6,500 rpm	380 hp @ 6,500 rpm	495 hp @ 6,500 rpm	550 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Maximum Torque @ RPM	332 lb-ft @ 3,500-5,000 rpm	339 lb-ft @ 3,500-5,000 rpm	460 lb-ft @ 2,500-5,500 rpm	502 lb-ft @ 2,500-5,500 rpm
Compression Ratio	10.5:1	10.5:1	9.5:1	9.5:1
Transmission	8-speed "QuickShift" ZF®automatic	8-speed "QuickShift" ZF®automatic	8-speed "QuickShift" ZF®automatic	8-speed "QuickShift" ZF®automatic
Final Drive Ratio	3.15:1	3.31:1	2.56:1	2.56:1
Intelligent Stop/Start	Standard	Standard	Standard	Standard

   

2015 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe Unveiling

It’s been said that the third times a charm and I have to say this statement is very true.  I got the invite to attend the launch party and unveiling of an all-new vehicle at Century (Jaguar Huntsville, AL).  It was time for the F-Type roadster to meet his older and more powerful big brother…..the 2015 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe.  Century had just received two coupes for this debut event and they were the stars of the evening.  You could even say they were like celebrities because everyone wanted a photo of the cars and then one with each car.

The showroom was milling with 40-50 guests including several members from the North Alabama British Motoring Society.  The buzz in the showroom from many of the car enthusiast was how much this car resembled the classic E-Type from the 1960’s with its long nose and flowing bubble rear end. (Trust me looks are where the comparisons stopped)

(Jaguars Hydroforming Lightweight Aluminum make this Coupe 80% more rigid than the Convertible)

As the evening progressed guests were welcomed by General Manger-Century Automotive Group, George Jones as he mingled with old friends and familiar repeat customers.  They could be overheard reminiscing about the cars they had driven and current experiences they had shared.  As always the guest were treated to food and drink as they strolled around the showroom taking in all the sights and sounds of this new beast that Jaguar was ready for the world to see.  During each of these events the Jaguar Huntsville salesmen are on hand to answer any questions you have or sign you up for a test ride in one of the many new cars on sale.

I've already read many of the early reviews and write-ups of this new car and I've heard words like; fearsome, loud, fast, intense, a turn-on, smooth, powerful, and even sexy, so I was like a kid on Christmas morning when I was told that I was going to get to experience driving this finely tuned machine for myself!  

The following week I was invited back down to the dealership to judge for myself if the car could live up to these lofty terms being used to describe Jaguars new coupe.  Recent ads running on TV and the internet used the catch phrase “It’s Good to be Bad” and the villains boast about driving Jaguars……well it was time for me to be bad and drive like a villain! 

As I pushed the start button on the Ultimate Black 2015 F-Type R Coupe to begin my test drive I knew something special was about to happen.  The exhaust note was even more powerful when you are sitting behind the wheel……it begs you to blimp the throttle, and I was ready to oblige!  

Seriously this car revs like a street bike and turns heads at every red-light.  I opted to keep the active switchable exhaust mode in “Sport” for my test spin (or should I call it test flight?).  I overheard one of the salesmen talking about how Ducati engineers had tuned the exhaust on this car which now explains the powerful and unique sound it produced at will.  It was like music to my ears as it snarled, gurgled and popped as if it was a ferocious lion waiting to pounce on any victim within striking distance.

(Did I mention that the Super Performance Brakes had 15" rotors?)

As I hit the road I immediately noticed the comfortable ride this sport coupe possessed which surprised me due to the fact that this is Jaguars most powerful model ever.  Usually the terms comfort and most powerful don’t’ go together but Jaguar has seamlessly blended those in this new car.  The steering response was quicker than any car I've ever driven and it felt as if you were on one of those slot tracks that you raced your RC cars on as a kid……it ran like as if on a rail.  If you pushed it, the acceleration and torque was seriously scary and I loved every minute of it.  Just being in control of this much power and commanding the car to go where you wanted was almost like flying a jet fighter.  All I needed was my Tom Cruise aviators and some Top Gun theme music playing on the Meridian 12 speaker, 16 channel Class D DSP amplified entertainment system!  Just to make sure I was taking full advantage of the experience, I quickly adapted to the use of the steering wheels mounted paddle shifters.  I felt like a Formula 1 driver blazing down the streets of Monaco, but I came to my senses and switched on the fly back to the automatic mode and never missed a beat.

Because this car has just hit the showrooms, it was turning heads everywhere…..even the soccer moms in mini vans stopped  to see what and who had just blasted by them.  The Black Bullitt as I coined it was pure joy to drive and the only negative experience I had was having to get out of it and turn the key fob back in.

Let me give the technical crowd all the specs of the two cars on display at Century;

·     Engine: F-Type S Coupe (Super-charged 380hp V6)

                       F-Type R Coupe (Super-Charged 550hp V8) with 502 lb-ft torque.

·        Transmission:  8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

·        Performance:  S Coupe V6: 0 -60mph (4.8 sec)

                                  R Coupe V8: 0-60mph (4.0 sec), both with a limited top speed of 186mph!

·        Base prices:     V6 S Coupe $77,000

                                   V8 R Coupe $99,000

Price as tested (V8 Supercharged 550hp) $104,625 with the following optional features:

·     20” Gyrodyne Alloy Wheels-Black

·       Panoramic Glass Roof

·       Vision Pack 3: Adaptive & Intelligent Front Lighting

                                   Front sensors & rear parking camera

                                   Blind spot monitor

Before the evening came to a close I began to see how this new F-Type R Coupe has ignited a spark among loyal Jaguar buyers and has piqued a strong interest in new car buyers who are discovering this brand.  I noticed a poster in the showroom that had the British flag draped behind the new F-Type R Coupe and the slogan said “Our New Crown Jewel” and it truly is a jewel to behold.  Jaguar is leading the pack as they charge into a new generation of car enthusiast that want more from their car than just a nameplate and a means of transportation, they want to feel something each time they get behind the wheel.  You can stand in the showroom all night long and not get the rush or the experience of what I am referring to unless you take a test drive. 

The sexy new look of this F-Type Coupe will draw you in but when you feel the adrenaline of the power from under the hood of Jaguars newest cat, you will start asking where do I sign the paperwork.   And if the new cars don’t draw you in maybe the award winning sales and service department will.  Jaguar Huntsville has won the “Pride of Jaguar” award back to back in 2012 and 2013.  This award is only given to the top 16 dealerships in the US based on customer sales and service satisfaction by surveys and sales.  Visit Jaguar Huntsville today and experience the passion and soul of this car for yourself.

The new 2014 Jaguar F-Type..........is it your type?

I had an opportunity to attend a launch party and unveiling of the all-new 2014 Jaguar F-TYPE.  You might ask why this is so special, well; this 2014 F-TYPE is the first new roadster from Jaguar in 40 years.   The historical E-Type debuted in 1961 and ended in 1974, so the gap will finally be bridged, and I can assure you that there are some major advances in style, technology, and performance.  I will get back to the features of the car shortly, but let me set the stage for this very special event first. 

Upon entering the dealership the lobby was flanked by two of the all new F-TYPE convertibles and also a 1970 E-Type 2+2 Coupe.  All guests were treated to food/drinks/music, and a wonderful atmosphere where you were encouraged to check out all the features of this new vehicle.  The showroom was filled with approximately 60-70 guests including several members from the North Alabama British Motoring Society.  Many of these car enthusiasts had driven their own classic/vintage British motorcars to the event.  One very special club member’s car was featured inside, a 1970 E-Type 2+2 coupe with a 4.2liter straight 6-cylinder.

Okay……now for the scoop on the new car that Jaguar is not referring to as a tribute, but flows with the classic E-Type’s DNA.  The 2014 Jaguar F-Type is available in three models; Base, S, and the V8 S. This two seat fabric top roadster sets itself apart as totally different looking from anything in Jaguars’ current family, and is described on the brochure as “Pure Driving Pleasure”.  Each model is equipped with a Roots-type twin vortex supercharger under the one piece stamped aluminum hood.  The Base has a 3.0 liter V6 engine with 340 HP, the S model has a 3.0 liter V6 with 380 HP, and the mighty V8 S has a 5.0 liter V8 with an incredible 495HP.   The supercharger is mounted in the “V” of the engine to keep the profile of the hood more compact which maintains the sleek look to the hood line. 

As I reflect for a moment, one of the more exciting thrills of the evening was when the sales manager unexpectedly fired the engine on the V8 S and blipped the throttle a few times……..I can assure you that the guests were awake and eager to hear more from the beast growling under the hood!  That leads me to tell you about the Active Sport Exhaust system Jaguar has made standard on the S and the V8 S models. It features active bypass valves which open during more spirited driving, allowing exhaust to exhale a bit more freely.  The result is quite frankly unlike anything I’ve heard before……..the best way I know to describe it was a deep American V8 rumble mixed with a healthy dose of Ferrari.  By the way, this system does has a manual switch so that you can take control of when and where you want to make a little music of your own.  When you decide to take part in a little of the spirited driving that I mentioned you can do so at a pace that will impress even the tougher car magazine editors.  The new F-Type’s V8 S will take you on a major head rush as it reaches the 60mph standard in a mere 4.2 seconds, and is reported to have a 186 mph top speed.  (I hope I’m invited back for one of those “spirited” test drives I keep referring to)  In case you are curious how that stacks up against some stiff competition, in a recent Automobile Magazine test drive the Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet was only able to reach 60 mph in 4.5 sec. and the “as tested” cost was $18,855 more than the Jaguar.

 

I almost forgot to mention that it delivers a whopping 460 lb. ft. of torque through the 8-speed automatic dual-clutch gearbox.  If you are feeling the need for speed and decide to flip the switch on the dynamic mode to the left of the joystick looking shift lever, the F-Type will reward the driver with a host of race inspired goodies--quicker throttle response, quicker steering, and the adjustable shocks become more firm to plant this roaster into the turns with a more race inspired feel.  The action heats up even more if you decide to take measures literally into your own hands by switching to sport mode on the shifter knob--you can change gears when you want to and then if that wasn’t enough go for it by flipping the paddle shifters from behind the wheel and never take your hands from the wheel.  If this type of driving excites you then choose the Performance Pack option and enjoy the 8inch touch screen in the dash as it displays the G-Force meter, lap times, and other “go fast” info you race junkies are looking for from a rear wheel drive sports car.

My favorite part of the car was the sexy hips that the roadster was sporting in the rear--the side profile of the car rolled over and into a point near the back of this car reminded me of the classic look of its older brother in the showroom…..the E-Type but with a more refined and glamorous look.  It’s hard to imagine using the two terms racy and glamorous in the description of this car, but trust me that’s how I felt about it.  I overheard one guest say that the car “looks fast even when parked”.   And even though I’ve heard that term used before, it certainly rings true with this ride.

There are so many more features of this all new car that I don’t have time to cover, I could go on for hours.  But the best thing you can do is go see it and decide if this sleek new roadster is just what you’ve been missing in your garage!  The new 2014 Jaguar F-Type is most defiantly my “Type”.  The hardest part of your visit to the showroom will be……what color do you want?