JAGUAR’S FLAGSHIP DROPTOP IS A WONDROUS DISPLAY OF POWER-HUNGRY PURISM, AND THE PERFECT WELCOME TO OFFICIAL TOP-DOWN WEATHER

BY EVAN MONROE

Over the last decade, the automotive industry has followed an arguably unfortunate trend of forgoing beefy big-block engines for smaller, more efficient variants. Turbochargers and engine remapping can draw more horsepower and torque from a smaller displacement, sure, but some of us still crave the thundering growl of a rapacious V8. For 2022, enthusiasts across the globe celebrated Jaguar’s move to drop the four and six-cylinder engines from its luxury muscle car, leaving only a blistering, supercharged 5.0L V8 to power the prodigal F-Type in both its coupe and gorgeous sliced-top expressions. Pairing this meaty power plant with Jag’s Quickshift ZF eight-speed transmission, the fierce feline delivers lightning-fast throttle response and slides through gears with heart-pounding finesse.

The base P450 serves up an impressive 444 horses and 428 lb.-ft. of torque on its own, but larger appetites can indulge in a 575-hp all-wheel-drive R, offering a zippy 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 186 mph. Purists are treated to an immersive auditory experience via a new Switchable Active Sports Exhaust, allowing pilots to change the tone and richness of the exhaust system to fully experience the thrill of the V8’s rumble.

R exclusives come in many forms, including quad-tip exhaust, more aggressive front-end styling, fiery red brake calipers, and 12-way, Windsor leather-wrapped performance seats with contrasting white stitching. Glossy black 20-inch wheels ground the lithe two seater, juxtaposed by the razor-sharp J-blade daytime running lights, one of the slimmest silhouettes in the British marque’s lineup. There are dozens of exterior colors to choose from across all variants, including the storied British Racing Green Metallic.
The F-Type R Convertible starts at $108,000.

Jaguar Monmouth
105 NJ-36, Eatontown / 732.573.6475 jaguarmonmouth.com