At some point during the 400-km drive in the Jaguar F-Type Coupe R, I became immune to over enthusiastic onlookers. Everywhere I drove, heads turned. Whether it was the trendy neighbourhoods of South Mumbai or the laidback suburbs, people stared.

As some hurriedly took photos and videos, I imagined I would be almost-famous on a couple of social media accounts by now, thanks to the bright red Jaguar. The F-Type Coupe can sell on looks alone. But why just stop at looks? The R model comes with a 550 hp supercharged engine mated to an eight-speed ZF gearbox that can take the car from a standstill to 100 km/hr in 4.2 seconds, with a top speed of 300 km/hr. Yes, that is really fast.

Waiting at a red light is an exercise in self-restraint. When idle, the engine lets out a calm yet menacing hum. It's a barely restrained beast waiting to pounce ahead with the slightest press of the throttle.

And pounce it does. Press the throttle down and the monstrous V8 will fill its lungs with air, the back wheels will put power on the ground and as the revs shoot upwards, the engine will give out a wicked scream all while your surroundings slowly fade away and your spine presses firmly on the bucket seats. This is more than enough to settle any test drive for a cheque paid in full.

On the prowl

The two modes — Sports and Dynamic — come with steering, suspension, throttle response and gearshifts accordingly. For racing enthusiasts the F-Type Coupe R stores lap telemetry along and offers configurable dynamics. To make things more dramatic, Jaguar has designed the car to let additional fuel in the cylinders when you lift off the throttle. The result is ‘a controlled misfire’. In plain terms: a melodious symphony of pops and crackles that makes every driver, especially when driving through a tunnel, roll down the window and tune in to the amplified echoes. If this is a bit too much for the daily commute, the exhaust can be toned down at the press of a button. I had no more concern driving this car in the city, than I would a luxury sedan except for those pesky over-sized speed-breakers that brush the kitty's underbelly.

The cockpit is logical, comfortable and plush with its share of leather, chrome and carbon fibre. I particularly liked the memory sport seats. They come with side bolstering which just hug you from behind as you slice through curvy roads. The trunk is a tiny compartment which is good for a laptop bag or two, but then Jeeves can always get the luggage in the Land Rover.

The electric steering is well-planted and offers plenty of feedback. The suspension is well-balanced and the car happily goes over ‘Indian’ roads at ease without breaking your back. I drove straight for 320 km and after a quick stretch and a fuel stop, I was ready to do it again.

Overall, the F-Type Coupe R is a beautiful car with gorgeous curves and an engine that is outrageously loud and fast. I expect more than a few sales to be impulse buys, sealed the first time the customer goes for a test drive.

The Jaguar F Type Coupe R is available for ₹2.4 crore (on-road price) in Mumbai.

DHIRAM SHAH is the Mumbai-based founder of Luxurylaunches.com

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW