It may not look old, but the Jaguar F-type is entering its sixth model year, which typically means it’s past time to go under the knife for a little nip/tuck. Evidently, though, Jaguar design chief Ian Callum couldn’t find much he wanted to change on his Rembrandt, so the handsome two-seater emerges with just a restyled front fascia—basically, the two slotlike outer air intakes have been replaced—and new LED headlights with an available adaptive function. Although the design may be little changed—we’re not complaining—Jaguar gave the F-type more substantive updates with new tech as well as new model variants.
A new R-Dynamic model puts a spin on the base F-type coupe and convertible, tweaking the exterior design with gloss-black exterior trim and model-specific 19- and 20-inch wheels. It features the supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 in 340-hp and 380-hp strengths—which actually makes it less dynamic than the existing F-type R, with its 550-hp V-8—and the same choice of rear- or all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual or eight-speed Quickshift automatic transmission.
Further up the food chain but still powered by the supercharged V-6 is a new, limited-edition F-type 400 Sport. Available in coupe and convertible body styles, its engine is imbued with 400 horsepower (thus the name 400 Sport). It mates exclusively to Jaguar’s Quickshift automatic, again with rear- or all-wheel drive. Other mechanical changes include larger rear brake rotors, black-painted calipers, and model-specific 20-inch wheels finished in dark gray. Jaguar’s Configurable Dynamics drive-mode system is included; it alters throttle and transmission response as well as the steering and the dampers. Inside, there are performance seats (one of two new seat styles, both featuring lighter-weight magnesium frames) with 12-way power adjustment, black brushed-aluminum trim, and yellow contrast stitching. The 400 Sport is a one-year-only model and is being offered in silver, black, and white. It also includes the contents of the Sport Design package with a larger front splitter and side sills along with a dark-gray rear diffuser.
ReRun: It’s What’s Happening
No model revision can be complete without some fresh technology, and the 2018 F-type is no exception, even if its biggest tech news is named ReRun. ReRun basically enables one to integrate data pulled from the car into GoPro videos (although the GoPro hardware is not included). GoPro footage now can be overlaid with an instrument-cluster graphic that shows info such as speed, selected gear, throttle position, steering-wheel angle, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, and braking force.
In other tech news, there’s a new standard infotainment system: Touch Pro. It features an 8.0-inch haptic touchscreen, a customizable home screen, pinch-and-pan map-zooming functionality, and a 4G LTE data connection. New features of the navigation system include the ability to send an ETA to chosen contacts, the ability to calculate whether the car has enough fuel to get to a set destination, and automatic uploading of routes from a connected smartphone.
The 2018 F-type models—standard, R-Dynamic, 400 Sport, R, and SVR—are due to reach U.S. dealerships in the spring.