Jaguar F-TYPE S AWD
Australia's Best Driver's Car

4th

Ranked one of the safest cars to take part in Australia's Best Driver's Cars for 2016, the Jaguar F-TYPE S AWD was matched only by the Audi RS 3 Sportback quattro in offering all-wheel drive traction. Powered by a 280kW supercharged V6, the F-TYPE went hard but the chassis never felt overwhelmed. At $172,080 (plus on-road costs), the Jag fell well within the $250,000 ceiling for this super test.

The sexy, soul-stirring F-TYPE R Coupe attracted plenty of followers during last year's ABDC, but in 2016 the Jaguar taking part looked even meaner and hungrier finished in metallic black.

Looks aside, however, the F-TYPE tested this year lacked the performance of the V8-engined F-TYPE R in 2015. This time around the sports car came with a 280kW supercharged V6 rather than the formidable V8; but added the bonus of all-wheel drive, rather than the rear-drive of the V8 model.

Most reviewers came away impressed with the F-TYPE S AWD's balanced chassis and cornering dynamics. But V8 Supercar racer Luke Youlden did point out that the Jag's bark was worse than its bite.

Certainly, from the passenger side of the car – without a wheel to hold or a throttle to jockey – the V6 engine was conspicuously raucous. But the F-TYPE S AWD lacked the outright straight-line mumbo of the V8s and other sixes. It even struggled against the turbo five-cylinder Audi RS 3 Sportback quattro; and in this company that posed a problem for Jaguar's contender.

The F-TYPE S AWD was in a subdivision that included Porsche's 911, the HSV ClubSport R8 LSA, Mercedes-AMG C 63 S – and even Ford's Falcon XR6 Turbo Sprint and Mustang GT Fastback. Around Baskerville Raceway the Jaguar, piloted by Youlden, put in a time that was four seconds slower than the Porsche's, two seconds slower than the Mercedes', a second slower than the HSV's and Mustang's... and was bracketed by the Holden Commodore SS V-Series Redline (fractionally faster) and the Falcon XR6 Sprint (just a tenth of a second slower).

The performance deficit was also brought home to me personally that same day. With me at the wheel and in a group led by Youlden in the Audi RS 3 Sportback quattro, the F-TYPE S AWD quickly fell behind the pack, comprising staff writer Bruce Newton in the HSV, managing editor Marton Pettendy in the Mustang, and editor-in-chief Mike Sinclair in the Porsche.

Even allowing for the fact that I was babying the Jaguar's brakes more than necessary, the F-TYPE S AWD was simply at a disadvantage in a straight line.

The fundamental difference between the F-TYPE S AWD and these other cars boiled down to torque. All three cars on the track – including the naturally-aspirated Mustang – generated higher levels of torque, as well as power. Tellingly too, with its all-wheel drivetrain componentry on board, the F-TYPE S AWD weighs more than the Porsche and the Mustang, and comes in just 50kg less than the HSV, which has a whopping 50 per cent advantage in both power and torque.

The Jaguar did make up for its lack of outright speed with its very forgiving chassis dynamics, predictably stepping-out at the rear (rather than understeering when the entry speed was too hot). It did deliver power in an appropriately measured way; and as it approached its dynamic limits the F-TYPE S AWD remained stable and communicative with a 'one-tenth' buffer in reserve for safety.

On the greasy Tasmanian track, immediately after morning showers, the Jaguar was surefooted and at ease with what was asked of it. On just one occasion did it fling the tail out on one bend – and was promptly corrected by the stability control system.

And on the slippery road up to Cradle Mountain the F-TYPE S AWD's all-paw grip brought it back into contention once more. It was more at home in that sort of driving than almost any car other than the RS 3. At its limits the F-TYPE S AWD was more likely to oversteer – but always in a safe and predictable way.

Judged on other criteria as a driver's car, the Jaguar stacked up against the rest for such things as braking capability, driving comfort and command, looks and the brash engine and exhaust soundtrack.

Among the six-cylinder cars on test, the Jaguar's bimodal-enhanced exhaust was easily the most stentorian. While the Audi's five-cylinder warble was full of character, it took V8-engined cars to out-roar the Jag.

Porsche 911 and Mazda MX-5 fans might disagree, but there was a considerable body of opinion that the black F-TYPE S AWD was the car with the most striking looks.

Other than power and outright performance, the only significant criticism of the Jaguar from our reviewers was confined to the large-diameter steering wheel (which did allow easy viewing of the instruments, in its defence) and tyre noise on some roads.

Our reviewers were divided over the Jaguar's ride comfort, with a couple finding it stiff and another couple praising it – and the rest making no mention whatsoever, suggesting it was at least acceptable for most, measured against the other cars in the field.

2016 Jaguar F-TYPE S AWD pricing and specifications:
Price: $172,080 (as tested, plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder supercharged petrol
Output: 280kW/460Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 211g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: N/A

motoring.com.au’s 2016 Australia’s Best Driver’s Car

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