Fossilfuel’slasthurrah?
WHAT a blast. Just as the government announces it may bring forward its ban on new petrol, diesel and even hybrid cars to 2032 — a mere 12 years away — I’ve been driving a full-blooded, old- school British sports car.
But in an age of car-intolerant puritan piety, where politicians and activists are pushing motorists headlong into electric cars — for which there are still too few charging points — is this perhaps one last defiant, full-throated Jaguar ‘roar’ before the fossilfuelled beasts face extinction?
My exciting two-day road trip included one of Portugal’s windy mountain roads, a section between Porto and Lisbon.
The new F-Type is an evolution rather than a revolution.
The ‘face’ has been sharpened with some razor-like headlights. The v6 engine option has been dropped, so it’s a straight choice between two meaty 5-litre supercharged v8s, or a lean, but still mean and hungry, four-cylinder petrol engine — all linked to a slick eight- speed automatic Quickshift gearbox. I tried all three variants.
First was an all-wheel drive 575 hp coupe in a bold Sorrento Yellow gloss. This beast accelerates from rest to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds up to a top speed, where legal, of 186 mph, though it manages just 25.6 mpg and emits 252g/km Co2. It’s very surefooted — even in the rain. It will set you back £97,280, though my version had more than £13,000 of extras, to bring that to £110,590.
next was a convertible in R-Dynamic trim and Fuji White paintwork, also a 5- litre v8 supercharged engine, but rated 450 hp with rear-wheel drive.
This costs from £75,470, though mine cost £83,900 thanks to fancy additions. It did rest to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, with a top speed of 177mph, but still only returned 26.5 mpg with Co2 emissions of 244g/km.
But my favourite ride was in the lighter, least powerful, P300 First edition Coupe in a sober eiger grey with Mars Red interior trim, powered by a frugal, but feisty, 4- cylinder engine that still develops 300 hp in rear-wheel drive only. The car is light on its feet and quick around corners. It’s also the cheapest option from £63,530.