2024 Jaguar F-Type 75: Feisty Felines Roaring for the Final Time
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San Sebastian, Basque Country, Spain—Spurred by the electrification movement that’s taking over the world and the auto industry, Jaguar has committed to selling only electric vehicles from 2025. That means the venerable British luxury brand will axe all of its conventionally powered models within the next 18 months, including the F-Type coupe and convertible which have been around for a decade.
Unveiled in 2013, the gorgeous sports car gave Jaguar a much-needed dose of youthfulness and excitement. Taking the torch from the agonizing XK, the F-Type convertible wowed customers with a fresh and elegant take on Jaguar styling with performance and handling that would match. A coupe joined the lineup the following year.
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Supercharged V6 and V8 engines were offered at first. Further diversification came with the addition of a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, manual transmission and available AWD. Many agreed that the F-Type was the real heir to the legendary E-Type of the 1960s, and the name of the car suggested that even Jaguar knew it.
In order to wrap up 75 years of gas-powered Jaguar sports cars, the company introduced the Jaguar 75 for 2024. The media launch took place in the same areas in Northern Spain where the original F-Type debuted ten years ago. Some of the auto journalists on hand were the same, too, including myself and my longtime buddy Jim Kenzie.
The final iteration of the F-Type comes down to its purest expression. The F-Type 75 and F-Type R 75 are available in coupe and convertible body styles, with a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 producing 444 horsepower and 567 horsepower, respectively. They come standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
Connoisseurs and collectors will appreciate the subtle details that set this special edition apart, particularly the badges on the front fenders which depict the coupe’s unmistakable silhouette. The same silhouette motif can be found on the door sill plates and dashboard.
Backed by a decade of development and fine-tuning, the engineers at Jaguar aimed to improve driving dynamics yet again, including the suspension and steering. The tires on the F-Type R 75 are wider and mounted on unique 10-spoke wheels (five-spoke wheels on F-Type 75). The result of their work is clearly felt and savoured behind the wheel.
We drove for more than 800 km on some beautiful roads where the feisty felines could stretch their legs and roar as they pleased. At no time was grip or balance an issue. With 90 percent of the engine’s torque sent to the rear wheels, which happen to be governed by an electronic locking differential with torque vectoring, there was never any ounce of understeer. Still, it’s a shame the F-Type 75 can’t be specified with rear-wheel drive, which saves 62 kg and makes the front end of the car more agile.
Acceleration is ferocious and exhilarating, pinning you to your seat even with a gentle jab at the throttle. The F-Type R 75 is more explosive, obviously. Electric motors may have an abundance of torque on demand, but nothing beats the sound of a finely tuned V8. Jaguar’s certainly deserves a spot in the powertrain hall of fame. And the rest is pretty good, too—the driving position, level of comfort, as well as fit and finish. All that’s missing is a modern HMI and displays.
One thing’s for sure: more than any other product from the brand, the 2024 F-Type R 75 and F-Type 75 are entitled to wear that menacing black Jaguar badge on the front grille. After three quarters of a century, a long and storied line of sports cars is coming to a close, roaring for the final time in classic yet spectacular fashion.
