Jaguar F-Type

Jaguar F-Type

Model Years Produced: 2014 to Current

Summary

The Jaguar F-Type is one of the most beautiful cars on the road today. Reminiscent of the iconic E-Type, the F-Type was designed to be a return to Jaguar’s roots,  a gorgeous grand tourer with riotous engines and great driving dynamics. It succeeds on the first two of those items and does a decent job on the third. Although it’s not as sharp as something like a Porsche Cayman nor is the transmission tuning as snappy as the Porsche PDK or even BMW’s own implementation of the ZF 8-speed (which is also used in the F-Type), it still is a pleasure to drive whether shooting through canyons or cruising on the highway. With great visibility and a huge amount of trunk space – on the coupe, anyway – it’s actually usable on a daily basis as well. Jaguar also did a remarkable job with the exhaust – both the V6 and the V8 sound intoxicating with the exhaust valves opened up.

The F-Type has proven popular with the aftermarket community. Regardless of which trim level you select, the V6’s can all be easily chipped to produce 380hp or 400hp as there are no mechanical differences between the Base/Premium/S engines – they’re simply tuned differently. The same goes for the V8s in the P450, S, R, and SVR. If you desire more power, a simple supercharger or crankshaft pulley replacement (and chip tune) is all that is required – the V6 engines can reliably handle up to 450hp with no issues, and the V8s can easily make well over 600hp.

Although the F-Type is quite long in the tooth now at ten years old, that also means there are a huge amount of used cars on the market. While older models are cheap and probably not the best idea considering Jaguar’s reliability reputation (or lack thereof), it’s not difficult to find something that’s 3-5 years old and has gone through the sharpest period of its depreciation.

Model History

The F-Type has had a variety of different drivetrains and body styles over the years, and the trim levels were seemingly renamed every year. This list should help keep things straight:

  • 2014: Originally introduced with just base and S trim levels, with the latter available as both a V6 and V8, and the car was only available as a convertible with RWD. The S added a number of performance features such as an electronic limited slip differential and a valved exhaust, and the V6 S produced 40 more horsepower than the base version (380hp vs. 340hp).
    Trims: Base, S (V6), S (V8)
  • 2015: Coupe body style was added to the lineup, as was an “R” version of the V8 which produced more power than the V8 S (550hp vs. 495hp) – though the R was only available as a coupe.
    Trims: Base, S (V6), S (V8), R
  • 2016: Minor refresh which upgraded a number of interior components and added AWD as a drivetrain option. The R was now only available with AWD, but a convertible R was now an option. A manual transmission was also made available for V6 RWD models, though this was uncommon and the vast majority of cars were equipped with automatics. An extremely rare “Project 7” edition was also available for this year only. The V8 S was dropped from the lineup.
    Trims: Base, S, R, Project 7
  • 2017: Added a “Premium” trim level to the V6 options which slotted below the S, and also added an “SVR” version of the V8 which produced 575hp.
    Trims: Base, Premium, S, R, SVR
  • 2018: Major reshuffling of trim levels. The base F-Type received a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo engine in place of the V6. The Premium trim was replaced with the “340HP.” The S was replaced with the “380HP” and “R-Dynamic” trim levels. A limited edition “400 Sport” trim level was added to the lineup, which featured a slightly more powerful version of the V6 making 400hp.
    Trims: Base, 340HP, 380HP, R-Dynamic, 400 Sport, R, SVR
  • 2019: 400 Sport was dropped from the lineup.
    Trims: Base, 340HP, 380HP, R-Dynamic, R, SVR
  • 2020: Another major reshuffling of trim levels. The base F-Type with the 2.0L engine was now called the “P300,” the 340hp V6 was now called the “P340,” the 380hp V6 was now called the “P380 R-Dynamic,” and there was a limited edition of the P300 and P380 called the “Checkered Flag” only for this year. The manual transmission option on the V6 was dropped.
    Trims: P300, P300 Checkered Flag Edition, P340, P380 R-Dynamic, P380 Checkered Flag Edition, R, SVR
  • 2021: Major midcycle refresh which included a huge upgrade to the infotainment, gauge cluster, and other electronics along with an update to the exterior design. The P340 and SVR were dropped from the lineup, and there was a “First Edition” of the P300 only for this year. The R was upgraded to 575hp.
    Trims: P300, P300 First Edition, P380 R-Dynamic, R
  • 2022: P300 and P380 were dropped from the lineup, leaving only the V8 engine as an option. A detuned version of the V8 was added named the “P450” which made 444hp, and a “P450 R-Dynamic” trim was added as well.
    Trims: P450, P450 R-Dynamic, R
  • 2023: No changes from 2022.
    Trims: P450, P450 R-Dynamic, R
  • 2024: Reshuffling of trim levels. The P450 and P450 R-Dynamic were replaced by the “R-Dynamic” and “75,” respectively. The R was renamed to the “R75.”
    Trims: R-Dynamic, 75, R75

Primary Criticisms

Major

  • Both the V6 and the V8 engine options have timing chain flaws that are extremely sensitive to extended oil change intervals. If purchasing a new F-Type, ensure to change the oil every 5000-7500 miles. If purchasing a used one, ensure the oil has been changed that frequently according to the service history, and especially avoid any vehicles that have oil change intervals exceeding 10000 miles. Otherwise, the timing chain guides and/or tensioner may fail (usually between 75-150k miles), causing catastrophic engine failure or requiring a very expensive ($5-7k) preventative timing chain service. If you can find one that has had the timing chains serviced already, then that is a huge plus.

Minor

  • Despite the sporty looks and loud exhaust, the F-Type doesn’t have the sharp handling characteristics of its competitors like the Porsche Cayman – it’s more of a GT car.
  • V8 engine-equipped models are heavy, especially when equipped with AWD. A P450 R-Dynamic has a similar power-to-weight ratio as a RWD V6 S despite making significantly more power.
  • While the coupe has a huge amount of cargo capacity for its class, the convertible…doesn’t.
  • The optional “High Performance” bucket seats are stiff and uncomfortable for anything more than a couple hours’ drive. Find a car with the base or “Performance” seats instead.

Warranty

Information is as of 2023 model year

New

  • Limited: 5 years/60,000 miles
  • Powertrain: 5 years/60,000 miles
  • Safety Restraint System: 5 years/60,000 miles
  • Paint & Corrosion: 6 years/unlimited miles
  • Emissions: 8 years/80,000 miles
  • Roadside Assistance: 5 years/60,000 miles
  • Adjustments: 1 year/12,500 miles
  • Complimentary Maintenance: 5 years/60,000 miles
  • Accessories: 1 year/unlimited miles

Certified Pre-Owned

  • Repair Deductible: $0 per visit
  • Limited: 1 year/unlimited miles or 2 years/100,000 miles extension to the remaining factory warranty (whichever comes first)
  • Roadside Assistance: Length of the warranty
  • Trip Reimbursement: Yes

P450 / P450 R-Dynamic / R-Dynamic (2024) / 75

Introduced for the F-Type’s second refresh in model year 2022, the P450 featured a detuned version of the venerable supercharged 5.0L V8. It’s not slow, though – producing 444 hp, the P450 F-Type has plenty of power to motivate itself, and it also makes an impressive noise.

For model years 2022-2023, there were two trim levels featuring the 444 hp version of the 5.0L, simply called the P450 and P450 R-Dynamic…with the primary difference simply being that the P450 R-Dynamic had AWD while the base P450 was RWD.

Model year 2024 renamed the two, with the base P450 confusingly becoming the “R-Dynamic” (with no “P450” moniker in its name) and the P450 R-Dynamic becoming simply the “75.”

Reviews

Specifications

  • Body Style(s): Coupe, Convertible
  • Engine: Jaguar AJ133 – 5.0L V8 supercharged
  • Horsepower: 444 hp
  • Torque: 428 lb-ft
  • Transmission: ZF 8HP70 8-speed automatic
  • Drivetrain: RWD or AWD, both w/ standard electronic limited-slip differential
  • Fuel Economy: 19 comb / 17 city / 24 hwy
  • Used Price: Used and certified pre-owned vehicles can be found starting in the high-$60s

Coupe

  • Curb Weight: 3760 lbs (P450) / 3920 lbs (P450 R-Dynamic)
  • Power-to-Weight: 236.2 hp/ton (P450) / 226.5 hp/ton (P450 R-Dynamic)
  • Cargo Capacity: 14.4 cu ft
  • Starting Price: $77900 (R-Dynamic Coupe) / $89900 (75 Coupe)

Convertible

  • Curb Weight: 3785 lbs (P450) / 3945 lbs (P450 R-Dynamic)
  • Power-to-Weight: 234.6 hp/ton (P450) / 224.1 hp/ton (P450 R-Dynamic)
  • Cargo Capacity: 7.3 cu ft
  • Starting Price: $79900 (R-Dynamic Convertible) / $91900 (75 Convertible)

R (2021+) / R75

With the SVR disappearing from the F-Type lineup in model year 2021, Jaguar no longer had a 575 hp version of the car…so they simply took their existing R and turned the boost up.

The R was renamed to the “R75” for model year 2024.

Reviews

Specifications

  • Body Style(s): Coupe, Convertible
  • Engine: Jaguar AJ133 – 5.0L V8 supercharged
  • Horsepower: 575 hp
  • Torque: 516 lb-ft
  • Transmission:  ZF 8HP70 8-speed automatic
  • Drivetrain: AWD w/ standard electronic limited-slip differential
  • Fuel Economy: 18 comb / 16 city / 24 hwy
  • Used Price: Used and certified pre-owned vehicles can be found starting in the $60s

Coupe

  • Curb Weight: 3920 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 293.4 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 14.4 cu ft
  • Starting Price: $113000

Convertible

  • Curb Weight: 3945 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 291.5 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 7.3 cu ft
  • Starting Price: $115000

Pre-Facelift Trim Levels

S (V6) / 380HP / R-Dynamic (2018-2019) / P380 / P380 R-Dynamic

The 380 hp version of the V6 F-Type wore many names throughout the car’s lifespan until its disappearance for model year 2022, but the one constant was that the AJ126 engine always punched far above its weight. It may not have had the power figures of its 5.0L V8 big brother, but the lighter weight of the V6-powered cars meant that they weren’t that much slower, especially compared to the later P450 variants. The V6 also made a mean noise, though it’s a rather different sound than the V8.

Reviews

Specifications

  • Body Style(s): Coupe, Convertible
  • Engine: Jaguar AJ126 – 3.0L V6 supercharged
  • Horsepower: 380 hp
  • Torque: 339 lb-ft
  • Transmission: ZF 8HP70 8-speed automatic, ZF S6-45 6-speed manual
  • Drivetrain: RWD or AWD, both w/ standard electronic limited-slip differential
  • Fuel Economy: 21 comb / 18 city / 26 hwy
  • Used Price: Used vehicles can be found as low as the mid-$20s for older models; certified pre-owned vehicles can be found starting from the mid-$50s

Coupe

  • Curb Weight: 3514 lbs (S RWD Coupe)
  • Power-to-Weight: 216.3 hp/ton (S RWD Coupe)
  • Cargo Capacity: 14.4 cu ft

Convertible

  • Curb Weight: 3558 lbs (S RWD Convertible)
  • Power-to-Weight: 213.6 hp/ton (S RWD Convertible)
  • Cargo Capacity: 7.3 cu ft

400 Sport

The 400 Sport takes the V6 S and makes everything just a little sharper, with bigger brakes and some small aero upgrades – plus an additional 20 hp to play with.

Reviews

Specifications

  • Body Style(s): Coupe, Convertible
  • Engine: Jaguar AJ126 – 3.0L V6 supercharged
  • Horsepower: 400 hp
  • Torque: 339 lb-ft
  • Transmission: ZF 8HP70 8-speed automatic
  • Drivetrain: RWD or AWD, both w/ standard electronic limited-slip differential
  • Fuel Economy: 21 comb / 18 city / 26 hwy
  • Used Price: Used and certified pre-owned vehicles can be found starting from the $50s

Coupe

  • Curb Weight: 3514 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 227.7 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 14.4 cu ft

Convertible

  • Curb Weight: 3558 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 224.8 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 7.3 cu ft

R (2015-2020)

The original F-Type R is, as Jack from SavageGeese so eloquently described, a “[Dodge Challenger] Hellcat that learned how to read,” especially in its original RWD form. The 550 hp V8 is a brute of an engine that will send shivers down your spine, though the AWD drivetrain that was standard starting in 2016 makes it much more manageable

Reviews

Specifications

  • Body Style(s): Coupe, Convertible
  • Engine: Jaguar AJ133 – 5.0L V8 supercharged
  • Horsepower: 550 hp
  • Torque: 502 lb-ft
  • Transmission: ZF 8HP70 8-speed automatic
  • Drivetrain: RWD and AWD, both w/ standard electronic limited-slip differential (AWD only starting in 2016)
  • Fuel Economy: 18 comb / 15 city / 23 hwy
  • Used Price: Used vehicles can be found as low as the high-$30s for older models; certified pre-owned vehicles can be found starting from the mid-$60s

Coupe

  • Curb Weight: 3814 lbs (R AWD)
  • Power-to-Weight: 288.4 hp/ton (R AWD)
  • Cargo Capacity: 14.4 cu ft

Convertible

  • Curb Weight: 3847 lbs (R AWD)
  • Power-to-Weight: 285.9 hp/ton (R AWD)
  • Cargo Capacity: 7.3 cu ft

SVR

The SVR is more than just a power boost to the 550 hp R. It features suspension upgrades, lighter wheels, aero changes, and interior upgrades – it’s basically a baby Aston Martin. This is the ultimate F-Type.

Reviews

Specifications

  • Body Style(s): Coupe, Convertible
  • Engine: Jaguar AJ133 – 5.0L V8 supercharged
  • Horsepower: 575 hp
  • Torque: 516 lb-ft
  • Transmission: ZF 8HP70 8-speed automatic
  • Drivetrain: AWD w/ standard electronic limited-slip differential
  • Fuel Economy: 18 comb / 15 city / 23 hwy
  • Used Price: Used and certified pre-owned vehicles can be found starting from the high-$60s

Coupe

  • Curb Weight: 3760 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 305.9 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 14.4 cu ft

Convertible

  • Curb Weight: 3785 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 303.9 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 7.3 cu ft