2024 Jaguar F-Type R Review – Powerful and Agile Sports Car

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Everything You Need to Know About the 2018 Jaguar F-Type R

The Jaguar F-Type R is one seriously sweet ride. As the highest-performing variant of Jaguar’s iconic two-seat sports car, it really lets you unlock its full potential on the track or open road. But is this British bad boy worth the hefty price tag? Let me break down everything you need to know to decide if the F-Type R is right for you.

The Specs

  1. 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine producing 575 horsepower
  2. 515 lb-ft of torque available from 2500 rpm
  3. 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds (3.3 sec with dynamic mode)
  4. Top speed of 186 mph
  5. Rear-wheel drive with quick-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission
  6. Upgraded brakes, suspension, steering and aerodynamics over standard F-Type

As you can see, the specs on this thing are absolutely bonkers. 575 hp is just an obscene amount of power for a vehicle this size. From my experience driving powerful cars, that kind of acceleration will leave you white-knuckling the steering wheel and grinning like an idiot. The supercharged V8 engine also delivers its awesome torque very low in the rev range for effortless passing power.

How Does it Drive?

Living up to its R badge, this Jag puts the fun back into performance driving. In its more playful dynamic mode, throttle response is instantly vicious and will happily slingshot you to illegal speeds if you’re not careful. At the same time, it remains composed even during aggressive cornering thanks to precise steering and grippy brakes.

The 8-speed automatic transmission helps unleash the beastly V8’s full potential without any of the fuss of a manual. It snaps off quick, imperceptible shifts perfectly matched to your throttle input. You can also tweak settings using Jaguar’s clever Drive Control system, which adjusts parameters like steering, suspension and transmission to suit your mood.

Overall, the F-Type R brings a grin-inducing mix of brute force and track-ready precision. It’s easy to see why it’s such a driver’s favorite. From my experience though, you’ve really got to respect its power on public roads before those smiles turn to frown lines!

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How Does it Look?

Let’s be real – we’re all at least a little bit interested in how cool a car makes us look. The F-Type certainly doesn’t disappoint on the sexy factor. With its long hood, low-slung stance and sculpted profile, it exudes like a sleek predator waiting to attack.

My favorite stylistic element is the widened rear fenders, flared to properly accommodate those meaty rear tires. Combined with rear diffuser and quad exhaust outlets, it gives a purposeful yet menacing appearance. Inside, the low-slung sports seats hug your body in all the right places. Everything is wrapped in buttery soft leathers and satisfying metals.

In my opinion, the F-Type R manages to look simultaneously aggressive yet elegant – like a world-class fighter bouncing on the balls of its feet, ready for battle but fully in control. It demands your attention wherever it goes. Trust me, you’ll be boring your friends to death with stories about the looks you get behind the wheel!

Pricing and Value

Here’s where things get a bit harder to rationalize. With a base MSRP of around $113k, the F-Type R comes at no small cost – even for a high-performance sports car. That’s square in supercar territory. Does it truly deliver supercar levels of performance and image to warrant the price?

Some might argue you get more bang for your buck with closer competitors from Porsche or Corvette. But the Jag brings its own prestige as a true Jaguar. Resale values also tend to hold up fairly well compared to other luxury vehicles.

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From my perspective, if money is no object and you simply must have one of the most thrilling rides on the road, it’s hard to beat the Jag in terms of pure charm and character. I’ve seen regular folks rack up big loans to fulfill the dream of owning one. Sometimes you’ve just got to treat yourself! But for most budgets, patience and smart shopping may get you into one a few years down the line.

Verdict

In the end, the F-Type R delivers a true no-compromises driving experience for those that can afford the luxury. With its perfect package of raw power, precise handling and head-turning good looks, it transforms every drive into an event. Sure, a lot more practical and affordable options exist. But if money is there and performance thrills are your primary motivation, the Jag could just be worth the splurge.

The decision really depends on your priorities and financial situation. Test drive one if you get the chance – the smile it puts on your face will be hard to shake! But you could “kinda” get your fix with the less insane V6 models too. Heck, even staring at pictures online gives me the itch sometimes. No matter what you choose, you can’t deny the F-Type R asserts Jaguar’s legacy as builders of truly special machines.

So in summary – for a lucky few with room in the budget, this beauty really might be the perfect way to unleash your inner rockstar. The rest of us will just have to live vicariously through them! Let me know if you have any other questions.

2018 Jaguar F-Type R Specifications

Engine 545-hp supercharged 5.0-liter V-8
Transmission 8-speed automatic
Drivetrain Rear-wheel drive
0-60 Time 3.9 seconds (est.)
Top Speed 186 mph
Fuel Economy City: TBD mpg / Hwy: TBD mpg
Base Price $119,000 (est.)

FAQ

  1. How fast is the Jaguar F-Type R?

    The F-Type R can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. With 575 horsepower, its 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine will rock your socks! However, you gotta be careful – that kind of speed can land you in some hot water with the law.

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  2. What’s the price of a 2018 Jaguar F-Type R?

    Prices for a new 2018 Jaguar F-Type R start around $100,000. You’re looking at some serious cash for this bad boy. At the same time, for the performance you’re getting, it’s sort of a steal – if you can afford it! You do get a lot of car for the money.

  3. What are the key features of the F-Type R?

    Aside from insane speed and power, the F-Type R comes loaded with great amenities. You get premium leather seats, a wicked sound system, and all the latest tech like navigation and Apple CarPlay. The styling is absolutely stunning too – it’ll really turn heads wherever you go. Performance-wise, it has stiff suspension for tight corners and massive brakes to help you stop on a dime. Air conditioning would have been nice on those hot summer days though!

  4. How does it handle?

    With its burly engine and sport-tuned chassis, the Jaguar F-Type R handles like a dream. The steering is super-responsive and it really sticks to the road when you’re pushing it through curves. It’s almost telepathic in how it seems to know exactly what you want it to do around each bend. You’d think a car this powerful would be a handful to control, but the handling makes it very confidence-inspiring. One word: amazing!

  5. What’s the maintenance cost like?

    As with any high-performance luxury vehicle, maintenance does not come cheap on the F-Type R. You can expect to pay somewhere in the ballpark of $1,000 per year to keep this bad boy in tip-top shape. Parts are pretty pricey and specialized work is required. Nonetheless, if you can afford the car, maintenance is kind of worth it to drive something this sweet! Just set some cash aside each month to pay for it.

  6. Is it reliable enough as a daily driver?

    While the F-Type R would be a blast as an everyday car, reliability may be a concern if you pile on major miles. These supercharged beasts require tender loving care. As long as you don’t go too nuts with the gas pedal and take good care of maintenance, it should hold up fine. Alternatively, you might consider it as a weekend toy and keep a more practical daily driver. But hey, who wouldn’t want to drive this thing to work every day?

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  7. Who is the target customer?

    Jaguar designed the F-Type R with the high-rolling enthusiast tightly in mind. We’re talking deep-pocketed folks who want blistering performance in a drool-worthy package and aren’t too concerned about practicality. It attracts well-heeled drivers looking for a serious thrill on their commute or track days. You gotta have the cash to blow and a need for speed!