JAGUAR F-TYPE R CONVERTIBLE #TBT

by Vaughn Lowery

Every few years or so, a car company fabricates a phenomenon. Over the past three seasons, one of the automotive industry’s proven loudest leaders is the 2016 JAGUAR F-TYPE R Convertible for a myriad of reasons: it’s stunning blueprint, progressive transmission and obnoxious exhaust (loud and unapologetic). Coming in at around $111,245 bucks, you are simultaneously propelled into both the modern-day muscle car and luxury market segments – pushing 0 to 60 mph in under 3.9 seconds with more bells than whistles (one of the more advanced technology packages in its class). It’s 550hp 5.0 liter supercharged V8 engine bears a true sports car experience with 502 lb-ft torque, jolting heads back and forth. Furthermore, it stops at the bead of a dime with a super performance braking system – one of the best in the story of its maker.

The overall styling of the vehicle is reminiscent of the 2015 Aston Martin V8 Vantage but has a more aggressive stance with sharper lines, 20″ alloy wheels, xenon integrated headlamps with LED signature and cannon-like quad exhaust tips. This year’s model offers a much more exhilarating ride with standard AWD, allowing better cornering and less slip in wetter climate regions. Interior has carbon fiber trim, two-toned race inspired 14-way adjustable performance seats with prominent stitching and James Bond-like air vents sink down flush into the dashboard with dual climate controls and seat heaters. Fully electric cloth top retracts in less than 12 seconds, leaving just enough trunk space to stow one fully packed overnight rolling bag and weekender duffle. This year’s model also comes well-equipped with a much faster infotainment system complete with navigation and active settings for steering, engine and suspension at the touch of a button for a firmer ride experience. The sport mode takes the car from touring mode to race car-like experience in a matter of seconds with pedal shifters behind a 3 spoke chunky wheel that heats for a cool day or night driving. Or, you can left push 8-speed quickshifter into sports mode for a more manual drive atmosphere. The crackling exhaust coupled with the occasional pop at the tinge of a button was music to our ears. 
Furthermore, the general design profile slightly metamorphoses at 50 mph when rear fin automatically deploys (also causes a switch in the middle console to trigger). Wind noise was cut by a 770W Meridian audio system with 12 speakers, bolting out your favorite satellite or Bluetoothed Pandora station. There’s very small room for road/lot distraction with blind spot warning, emergency brake assist and backup sensors/camera for parking. 

We took the car for a long 4.5 hour drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas with top down and found it to be the most comfortable ride largely due to the climate package. Even with a light drizzle, the new drive train exhibited little to no slip at high velocities. The roadster’s pure aerodynamics forced condensation to flow over our heads and not to enter the cabin while all windows were cast upward. Upon arrival at Aria Hotel & Casino, we unpacked and packed on a few rounds of blackjack; then decided to re-engage our glacier white colored car, hopping back into the cockpit for a nightly drive on the strip underneath the city’s coruscating lights.

Hands-down, the 2016 JAGUAR F-TYPE R Convertible is one of the most prolific automobiles of the millennial generation, specializing in extreme comfort, perfect execution and innovation. Kudos to Jaguar Land Rover of Tata Motors for engineering such a beautiful piece of artistic creation in motion.

JaguarUSA.com