It’s Good to be Bad in a Jaguar F-Type R Convertible
With a clear view of the sky, the wind in my hair and 550 horsepower under my right foot, I commanded the roadways of Los Angeles for seven days in a 2016 Jaguar F-Type R Convertible, and it was glorious.
There are so many things that Jaguar got right with their latest iteration of the F-Type R: stunning good looks, instant power, an incredibly fast transmission and a sensory experience that makes you shout, “oh, it’s good to be bad!”
Let’s start with the visuals. This car looks fantastic at any angle, and with as many photoshoots as I did, I simply couldn’t take a bad photo.
The lines of the car sweep cleanly from the aggressively vented front end, through the accented side sills and ending at a perfectly tapered rear fascia. A deployable spoiler and door handles help to maintain the sleek silhouette until function is required over form.
It’s definitely attention grabbing as I received compliments everywhere I went: traffic lights, parking lots, the beach, you name it. Gearheads asked me to confirm that it was indeed a Jaguar while other passersby would simply exclaim, “Nice car!”
And if people didn’t see the car first, they definitely heard it thanks to the specially tuned Active Exhaust system which opens bypass valves to produce one of the most aggressive and satisfying roars that I’ve ever felt. That’s right, not heard, but felt. It has a piercing, explosive sound that rattles you to the core.
But the fun isn’t just when you’re on the throttle; plenty of pops from the after-fire keep things lively as you ease off the gas. The best part is that it’s been designed to shoot off these exciting sounds in the most commonly used rev range, between 2,500 and 3,500 RPM, so I can sound like I’m barreling down the street but still be somewhere around the speed limit.
I don’t think any video or recording can really do the exhaust note justice; it’s better as an in-person experience. But that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try my best to convey this awesomeness because who doesn’t love “LOUD REVS!”
For the sake of not having your neighbors hate you with fervor, the Active Exhaust can be manually turned off. It’s a feature I began using around residential areas because on my very first outing, I had a conversation with law enforcement that started with, “I’m so sorry, officer…” He wasn’t too pleased with my spirited use of first gear, but the manufacturer license plate and my confession of being a journalist saved me from a citation.
550 horsepower and 502 lb-ft of torque from a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 sounds like a lot to tame, but in everyday driving conditions the F-Type R is well-mannered with a sporty casualness. Cruising on the highway is comfortable and effortless, especially with the luxurious interior, and peak torque comes in at 2,500 RPM so getting around the slow-moving Prius that just cut you off is a breeze.
Since Southern California has some of the best driver’s roads in the world, I spent most of my time in the vehicle’s Dynamic Mode. This selectable drive mode sharpens throttle response, increases steering weight, produces lightning fast gear changes and stiffens the suspension. It also changes the instrument cluster and interior lighting to red, a nice detail to remind you that it’s time to get down to business.
To really stretch the F-Type R’s legs, I went up the coast to Malibu to visit my friend Fireball Tim, and he guided me through some of the area’s most popular driving routes.
Our Tour de Malibu included a stop at an old western movie set at Paramount Ranch, a fly by of the famous motorcycle hangout The Rock Store and a jaunt along the legendary section of Mulholland Highway called “The Snake.”
It’s on these twisting canyon roads where the F-Type R’s performance and technology really shine. From torque vectoring all-wheel drive to adaptive suspension, an active differential to lightweight brakes, all of these features come together for a rewarding and precise driving experience. The gear changes from the eight-speed automatic transmission are so fast that neither of us could feel them; it’s just one continuous sensation of forward thrust.
With the exhaust echoing off the mountains, Tim and I carved our way through the switchbacks and cliffside roads, returning to Pacific Coast Highway.
“I’m glad you’re a good driver,” said Tim, “because it’s gotten pretty hairy with a few of my other friends.”
As much as I’d like to, I can’t take all the credit. The car’s superb handling and characteristics give me the confidence and ability to drive smoother and faster. And that’s the best part about the F-Type R—it makes you feel alive when you’re behind the wheel. It’s un-apologetically loud, fast and fun, and it’s been designed to enhance the excitement of driving, a concept that many modern cars have long forgotten about.
The 2016 Jaguar F-Type R Convertible is a wonderfully versatile car, especially for an always sunny locale like Southern California. Beaches, mountains, race tracks and celebrity-filled events are all just a short drive away. You’d be hard-pressed to find a situation where the F-Type didn’t fit in perfectly.
While there are other cars that are just as capable as Jaguar’s flagship sports car, most have to be driven at their limits in order to reap the full benefits, and few of us have the talent or the means to do so. The F-Type R stands out by offering a fulfilling experience in situations that we most commonly find ourselves in (daily commuting, errands) and by having an arsenal tucked away that allows it to punch well above its weight. And that, in my opinion, is the best value that any automotive enthusiast can ask for.
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Photos by Andrew Chen
