RE: Jaguar F-Type V6 S Manual: Driven

RE: Jaguar F-Type V6 S Manual: Driven

Wednesday 27th May 2015

Jaguar F-Type V6 S Manual: Driven

Automatic F-Types are already very good, so can the manual improve on that? Oh yes...



A bad Jaguar F-Type doesn't exist. Common consensus is that the V6 S is the best of a very good bunch, with the V8 accommodating hooligans and then the base V6 for everybody else. The convertible brings more noise, the coupe fractionally sharper dynamics. We can probably all agree each F-Type looks superb.

Still a looker, isn't it?
Still a looker, isn't it?
Anyway, even amongst a talented model range, this should be the F-Type that most tickles the PH fancy; a V6 S coupe with a manual gearbox. Yes indeed. Now this is the car we have already tested in late prototype form soon after its was LA show debut but an opportunity to drive a production version on the road was not to be missed.

There will be no suspense here: it's a very good manual. It's not magnificent but those who enjoy changing gear - and they should be here, right? - will find much to like.

Even before driving the signs are encouraging. The gearknob is just that, with no gratuitous adornment or ungainly shaping. It's small but actually lead weighted to aid the shift feel. The pedals are sensibly placed and it's hard to to avoid just a little excitement at driving a 380hp rear-wheel drive sports car with three pedals and a stick. What a novelty.

As inviting interiors go...
As inviting interiors go...
Novelty act
On the road gearchanges are precise and tight, the throw short and the gate narrow without being unnervingly so. In the left-hand drive test car the movement from second to third and back again is really sweet, a flash across to the right going up and a short tug (ahem) towards you on the way back. Even reaching for fifth doesn't feel as unnatural as it can do in LHD cars, that motion often akin to fondling in the glovebox. The weighting of both clutch and shift is spot on for the F-Type's sports GT billing as well.

Alright, so it isn't quite as enjoyable as - you've guessed it - the Porsche Cayman manual thanks to an occasional notchiness and better positioning in the Porsche but it's certainly more pleasant than a Lotus Evora. An Aston V8 Vantage? A much closer call, one we'll hope to answer definitively in the near future. The pedals are set nicely to ensure heel and toe is simple as well, although Dynamic mode did seem to make the throttle a little too sensitive. Normal mode, with the sports exhaust still engaged, was the best combination.

Gearbox aside for just a second, the F-Type remains a very accomplished and likeable sports car. The supercharged V6 is torquey, eager and sounds superb, the new electric power steering is one of the best and the ride/handling compromise is excellently judged. It's impossible not to imagine how good a 1,400kg F-Type would be - one for Special Ops perhaps - but the standard car certainly has the capacity to entertain. Well, as much entertainment as can be found on heavily policed and rather ordinary American roads...

Very good in the US, here will be the real test
Very good in the US, here will be the real test
Slippery character
Then the clutch started slipping. Oh dear. It wasn't often but on, er, spirited upchanges with the lever firmly in position and foot off the clutch drive just wasn't there and revs would continue to spin. Obviously it whiffed a bit too.

According to a Jag engineer this was an issue uncovered in their 'abuse testing' associated with maximum torque changes and there will be a different clutch for customer cars. We are nothing if not thorough in our examination! Manual F-Types will be arriving in the UK soon so we'll be sure to try one again and establish if the issue has been rectified.

The slipping issue is a real shame because the F-Type manual had impressed greatly up to that point. Uptake is expected to be small, about 10 per cent in fact, but those that do will love the car. It's a classic sports car in style but one that never feels outdated or old fashioned. Efficiency and acceleration can go hang - it's a more involving, engaging sports car experience, one that improves on an already excellent package.


JAGUAR F-TYPE V6 S
Engine: 2,995cc, V6 supercharged
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear wheel drive
Power (hp): 380@6,500rpm
Torque(lb ft): 332@3,500-5,000rpm
0-62mph: 5.5sec
Top Speed: 171mph
MPG: 28.8 [NEDC combined]
CO2: 234g/km
Price: £60,255









 

Author
Discussion

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Tuesday 26th May 2015
quotequote all
A slipping clutch on a press demonstrator. Nice to see the Jaguar research and development "heritage" is still strong with this one.

ILoveMondeo

9,614 posts

225 months

Tuesday 26th May 2015
quotequote all
Clearly a sign of the times, but it's looks positively strange to see a manual box in such a modern interior!

Well done jaguar for giving us the choice.

Even after an aborted attempt to buy one last year I will still definitely be getting one at some point, right now the v8r coupe is top of my list.

I wonder if we will see a v8s or r with a manual box?

jamieduff1981

8,022 posts

139 months

Tuesday 26th May 2015
quotequote all
Sounds great. I want one. Timing should work out about right too biggrin

Gorbyrev

1,160 posts

153 months

Tuesday 26th May 2015
quotequote all
Just yes on every level. Thank you Jaguar.

Axionknight

8,505 posts

134 months

Tuesday 26th May 2015
quotequote all
Gimme gimme gimme!

Patrick Bateman

12,143 posts

173 months

Tuesday 26th May 2015
quotequote all
I will have one of these in years to come.

mattwilko

70 posts

121 months

Tuesday 26th May 2015
quotequote all
ILoveMondeo said:
Clearly a sign of the times, but it's looks positively strange to see a manual box in such a modern interior!

Well done jaguar for giving us the choice.

Even after an aborted attempt to buy one last year I will still definitely be getting one at some point, right now the v8r coupe is top of my list.

I wonder if we will see a v8s or r with a manual box?
I believe the ZF manual can't handle the torque of the V8 so unless ZF are gonna make another one or Jag do their own I can't see it happening unfortunately. Major want for this one though...

fatboy b

9,492 posts

215 months

Tuesday 26th May 2015
quotequote all
Very probably my next car in a year or so. Can't wait!

David87

6,648 posts

211 months

Tuesday 26th May 2015
quotequote all
Does wanting an automatic AWD one of these over a manual RWD mean I have to delete my PH account? hehe To be fair, I'd take an F-Type of any description!yum

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Tuesday 26th May 2015
quotequote all
mattwilko said:
I believe the ZF manual can't handle the torque of the V8 so unless ZF are gonna make another one or Jag do their own I can't see it happening unfortunately. Major want for this one though...
Maybe that particular ZF can't but Chevy have a manual option for the Corvette and Vauxhall offered a manual VXR8 so there surely is a gearbox that can cope? Even BMW managed to source a manual for the V10 M5 in the US market - quite why they couldn't for here will remain one of life's mysteries!

Jaguar said the same about the XJS V12 but conveniently forgot they did make manuals for the first year or so! (And offered a manual for V12 E-types).

Judging by the article maybe the clutch is actually the problem!!

Saying all that I hope they get it sorted, and stick a manual in the V6 XE while they are at it!

robm3

4,927 posts

226 months

Wednesday 27th May 2015
quotequote all
mattwilko said:
ILoveMondeo said:
Clearly a sign of the times, but it's looks positively strange to see a manual box in such a modern interior!

Well done jaguar for giving us the choice.

Even after an aborted attempt to buy one last year I will still definitely be getting one at some point, right now the v8r coupe is top of my list.

I wonder if we will see a v8s or r with a manual box?
I believe the ZF manual can't handle the torque of the V8 so unless ZF are gonna make another one or Jag do their own I can't see it happening unfortunately. Major want for this one though...
I read it's a packaging issue, the gearbox can't fit behind the V8 with major mods to chassis.

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Wednesday 27th May 2015
quotequote all
robm3 said:
I read it's a packaging issue, the gearbox can't fit behind the V8 with major mods to chassis.
Right - well that is a shame!

Would have been nice if they had thought of that in the design stages, it could have given them a product in a niche that everyone else seems to be deserting.

unsprung

5,467 posts

123 months

Wednesday 27th May 2015
quotequote all

1. Great looking car and I fully agree with both the merits of the V6 and the query about a lower kerb weight

2. Next time you find yourselves in the New York metropolitan area, and searching for a road with <ahem> more liberal allowances... do get in touch.



robm3

4,927 posts

226 months

Wednesday 27th May 2015
quotequote all
dme123 said:
A slipping clutch on a press demonstrator. Nice to see the Jaguar research and development "heritage" is still strong with this one.
haha... agreed!

edinph

386 posts

173 months

Wednesday 27th May 2015
quotequote all
Just when I thought the decision had been made................ you throw a spanner in the works! Darn..........

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Wednesday 27th May 2015
quotequote all
Just out of curiosity does anyone know why the Autocar "long-term" (as in more then 6 months) V6 needed a new engine under warranty?

Should that be a concern for private buyers especially when the warranty expires? Maybe like the slipping clutch?

Much as I want Jaguar to succeed I really would not want to run their development programme for them.

British motor industry repeating itself maybe??

JonnyVTEC

3,001 posts

174 months

Wednesday 27th May 2015
quotequote all
robm3 said:
I read it's a packaging issue, the gearbox can't fit behind the V8 with major mods to chassis.
That's not correct.

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Wednesday 27th May 2015
quotequote all
robm3 said:
I read it's a packaging issue, the gearbox can't fit behind the V8 with major mods to chassis.
I was under the impression that the V6 and V8 shared a crank-case (or at least shared crank-case dimensions), in which case I'd expect the gearbox location to be identical?

esso

1,849 posts

216 months

Wednesday 27th May 2015
quotequote all
V6s Coupe for me,ain't bothered if it's a manual.

esso

1,849 posts

216 months

Wednesday 27th May 2015
quotequote all
V6s Coupe for me,ain't bothered if it's a manual.