F-Type R-Dynamic P450 – There are few cars that are designed purely for hedonistic motoring. The Jaguar F-Type is such a car. 
I’m not really sure you can even call it a car, a work of art may be more appropriate. F-Type R-Dynamic comes in Coupe and Convertible.
It’s simply stunning in design. If you are the shy type don’t buy this because people will look at you everywhere you drive.
Tracing its roots back to the famously sensual E-Type of the 60’s, which was based on the Le Mans winning D Type, the F-Type is a mix of old school classic interior and new world technology.
Yes its powerful with a 5.0L supercharged V8 that will go from 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds and top out at 285km/h. It rear wheel drive and 8 speed sports AT allow for spirited driving.
Its cramped inside for taller drivers like me and there is almost no boot space.
But on a sunny day, when you lower the convertible roof, go for a drive along the beach front and just listen to that V8 exhaust, there are few more desirable and legal activities you can do in a car.
We may have fast electric sports cars in the future, but true motoring enthusiasts will sadly miss masterpieces like the F-Type R-Dynamic when they are gone
This is a Motoring Minute
Im Rob Fraser
TO LISTEN TO THE F-TYPE RRADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW
Jaguar F-Type R-Dynamic P-450 Convertible MM Video
More Jaguar F-Type R-Dynamic P450 Convertible thoughts
What does the F-Type convertible look like?
Simply beautiful
It’s more like a sculptured masterpiece than a car.
There are cars that people will notice and some that they will stop and comment on.
But the F-Type is one that people will stop and stare at as it glides past them.
It’s almost impossible to do it justice with words. One just has to experience it.
All P450 models feature the R-Dynamic Exterior Body Kit, 20” Alloy Wheels, Metal Treadplates with R-Dynamic branding, Delta Aluminium Console Finisher and Switchable Active Exhaust.
What about inside the F-Type Convertible
First up, again it’s beautiful
Very tight for taller drivers like me. I just fit and with the dodgy right knee, getting in and out was an exercise of acrobatic gymnastics.
Having said that the raised door sill cocoons you and it’s still better than a few other sports cars.
Once inside though it’s a driver’s delight. A mix of old school and new technology.
Our model had white Alcantara leather heated seats.
The relationship between driver and steering wheel is almost perfect.
Everything is within easy reach.
Leather steering wheel is nice and thick and provides excellent feedback
The 12.3 inch driver’s instruments are configurable into multiple screens. My favourite is the traditional, analogue style twin outer dials and central display that shows the trip meter.
Both front seats have electric adjustment controls.
Interior layout
Between the front occupants is a central storage bin, twin cup holders and the transmission controls. Here you can trim the rear wing, turn off the traction control and stop start function as well as tune the exhaust note.
The elegant transmission lever is a push/pull style, not my favourite but this one works well. Next to that is the drive mode select.
The 10 inch central touch screen is a little old now but clear to read with good resolution. Smart phone connectivity is wired unfortunately. Having wires is at odds with the internal aesthetics.
I love the fact that the top air vents rise triumphantly above the stack on start up for the dual zone A/C.
Lowering and raising the roof is a breeze (pun intended) and top down driving is what it’s all about.
The boot area is best described as on the tighter side, with soft, malleable bags suggested for limited luggage. Take the spare wheel out and it improves greatly.
What are the major features of the F-Type?
Highlights:
- Satellite navigation
- DAB+ digital radio
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto (wired)
- 10-speaker 380W Meridian sound system
- Metal treadplates
- Keyless entry and start
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Single-zone climate control
- Auto LED headlights with auto high beam
- LED DRL’s and rear lights
- Six-way power front sport seats
- Leather and suedecloth upholstery
- Power-adjustable steering column
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Ambient lighting
Options on the test vehicle
- Exterior Black Design Pack $4,740
- 12-way heated electric memory front seats $2,630
- 20” Style 5102, 5 Spoke, Gloss Black alloys $1,790
- Two-zone Climate Control $1,040
- Red Brake Calipers $1,010
- Wind deflector $790
- Aluminium gearshift paddles $700
- Premium cabin lighting $560
- Auto-dimming, Power fold,
- Heated door mirrors with memory $420
- Price-As-Tested: $184,820
F-Type P450 Engine and drivetrain
At the heart of the P450 is the 5.0L supercharged V8 petrol engine.
This provides some 331kW/580Nm and drives the rear wheels through an eight-speed ‘Quickshift’ transmission.
The Switchable Active Sports Exhaust system with quad outboard mounted exhaust pipes, enables the driver to ‘tune’ the exhaust sound to their liking. A deep raspy blurt is how best to describe it. There is the option if a quiet start mode, but why?
The P450 powertrain features an electronic active rear differential to optimise traction, and enables 0-100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds and a maximum speed of 285km/h.
Fuel economy is excellent on the freeway and I got around 8.2L/100K on cruise control. Around town its obviously more and really depends on how heavy your right foot is and how much you enjoy the exhaust note. Overall we got 12.5l/100k and I was happy with that.
P450 F-Type R-Dynamic comes equipped as standard with Jaguar’s Adaptive Dynamics system with Configurable Dynamics.
Using electronically controlled, continuously variable dampers, Adaptive Dynamics optimises both low-speed comfort and high-speed control.
While Configurable Dynamics enables the driver to tailor the settings for suspension stiffness, steering weight, throttle response and gearshifts.
What is the F-Type R-Dynamic like to drive?
In a word – Hedonistic.
This is pure and simple a driver’s car. It’s engaging, responsive and becomes an extension of your thoughts.
Drop the top on a sunny day and experience the elegance of boulevard cruising.
When the mood takes you, find your favourite piece of winding road and let rip. Either way you will end up with a HUGE smile on your face.
Potter around town and enjoy the audible exhaust, but be prepared for people to stare at you.
The steering is well weighted, by that I mean you can feel it when turning and that’s a good thing. Light at parking speeds it maintains excellent feel at speed.
Acceleration is a smooth, linear feeling. No delayed turbo lag here, just a continuous surge of power that seemingly never runs out, well not at road speeds anyway.
Even with the top down the chassis remains tight, there is little shaking and the suspension soaks most bumps from our notorious potholed roads.
At speed it simply hunkers down, mid corner bumps do little to change its composure.
F-Type safety
Like many supercars there is no ANCAP rating. It has many of the expected safety features, but some are unfortunately on the options list.
A round up of the highlights is:
- Airbags
- Driver
- Passenger
- Head for 1st Row Seats (Front)
- Side for 1st Row Occupants (Front)
- Emergency
- Control – Crash Avoidance with Braking (High and low speed)
- Rollover Protection – Fixed
- Brake Assist
- Vehicle Control
- ABS (Antilock Brakes)
- Traction
- Electronic Stability
- EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution)
- Driver Assistance
- Lane Departure Warning
- Lane Keeping – Active Assist
- Alert/Warning – Collision Forward
- Driver Attention Detection
- Park Distance – Front and rear
- Parking Assistance – Graphical Display
- Camera – Rear
- Security
- Central Locking – Key Proximity, mobile and remote
- Engine Immobiliser
- Telematic – Monitoring Service
- Alarm
F-Type R-Dynamic P-450 Convertible final thoughts
The F-Type has a long lineage, dating to the Le Mans winning D-Type, the sexy E-Type of the 60’s and 70’s and now it has been around for some 9 years since 2013.
It has aged well, unlike some of us.
It has a few flaws but they only serve to make it perfect.
As a fellow motoring enthusiast said to me, “this is the car that made me fall in love with motoring all over again”.
It has elegance oozing from every angle. It’s fast and smooth with rear wheel drive. It has an abundance of personality.
The F-Type becomes an extension of the driver.
What more could you ask for.
F-Type R-Dynamic good and not so good
What is good? |
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What is not so good? |
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Also Look At
The true sports convertible segment is small, really small.
The closest comparison would be the Lexus LC 500C. We have another one booked to drive in January.
Perhaps you could also look at BMW Z4 Convertible, Ford Mustang, C8 Corvette, Audi RS5 Coupe, Aston Martin Vantage Roadster, Maserati MC20, Audi R8 and Lotus Emira
Some other Jaguar F-Type articles
- 2022 Jaguar F-Type P450 R Dynamic Coupé 2022 Video Review
- Jaguar F-TYPE is all V8 for 2022
- V8 only – Jaguar F-TYPE offers all V8 line-up in Australia
- 2021 Jaguar F-TYPE P380 R Dynamic Coupé 2021 Review
- Jaguar F-TYPE P380 R Dynamic 2021 Radio Review
- 2019 Jaguar F-TYPE R Dynamic Radio Review
- Jaguar F-TYPE P380 R Dynamic Coupe 2019 Review
- 2019 Jaguar F-Type 2.0L Coupe Review
- 2019 Jaguar 2.0L F-Type Video Review
- 2018 Jaguar F-Type R Dynamic Convertible Review
- 2018 Jaguar F-Type 2.0L R Dynamic Review
- New Jaguar F-Type SVR: The 200MPH All-Weather Supercar
- 2013 Jaguar F-Type Makes Australian Debut
- 2012 Jaguar F-Type Makes Its Australian Debut
- Jaguar F-TYPE convertible at AIMS 2012
- 2012 Jaguar F-TYPE to debut in Paris
- Jaguar announces new F-TYPE sports car
Jaguar F-Type | |
Model | R-Dynamic P-450 Convertible |
| Model Price | $171,148 MLP* PAT $184,828 MLP* |
| Engine | 5.0L V8 Supercharged Petrol |
| Drivetrain | 8 Sp Sports AT RWD |
| Power | 331kW @ 6,000rpm |
| Torque | 580Nm @ 2,500 – 5,000rpm |
| Safety | N/A |
| 0-100kmh / Top Speed | 4.6 Secs / 285 km/h |
| CO2 Emissions | 248 g/km Euro 5 |
| Economy ADR | 10.6L/100km / 70L capacity |
| Economy on test | 12.5L/100k |
| Servicing | 5Yr / 130,000km free service plan |
| Warranty | 5yr/ Unlimited km |
| Road side Assist | 5Yr. conditional roadside assist |
*MLP Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options. RDAP means Recommended Drive Away Price (without options but including all other charges)
Overall Rating | 89/100 |
| Behind the Wheel | 9 |
| Comfort | 9 |
| Equipment | 8 |
| Performance | 10 |
| Ride and Handling | 10 |
| Practicality | 7 |
| Fit for Purpose | 10 |
| Styling / Design | 10 |
| Technology/connectivity | 8 |
| Value for Money | 8 |
Dimensions | |
| Overall Length | 4470mm |
| Wheelbase | 2622mm |
| Width | 1923mm |
| Height | 1313mm |
| Wheels | 20×9.0 front / 20×10.5 Alloy |
| Tyres | 255/35 R20 front / 295/30 R20 rear |
| Max ground clearance | Up to 108mm |
| Turning Circle KTK | 12.7m |
| Boot Capacity Min | N/A |
| Boot capacity Max | 233L |
| Kerb Weight | 1661kg |
| Payload (kg) | 389kg |
| GVM (kg) | 2050kg |
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Summary
F-Type R-Dynamic P450 Convertible – The F-Type has a long lineage, dating to the Le Mans winning D-Type, the sexy E-Type of the 60’s and 70’s and now it has been around for some 9 years since 2013.
It has aged well, unlike some of us.
It has a few flaws but they only serve to make it perfect.
As a fellow motoring enthusiast said to me, “this is the car that made me fall in love with motoring all over again”.
The F-Type becomes an extension of the driver.
What more could you ask for.
