The 2024 Jaguar F-Type Takes a Victory Lap
The cat’s out of the cradle.
As an automotive writer, one of the more disappointing aspects of the business is seeing a truly fantastic car drive off into the distance—forever. With manufacturers continuing to wrestle with emissions standards in various jurisdictions, this shift has only accelerated.
Carmakers don’t really deserve our collective pity, but this is, for sure, an incredibly challenging time for the business. Case in point: Jaguar.
Back in 2021, representatives from the legendary brand announced a full-force move towards electrification by the year 2025. Although the appeal of all-electric vehicles has dimmed of late, Jaguar is not going back on this pledge. As a result, one of those truly fantastic cars that’s about to retire is the Jaguar F-Type—this is the last year it will be produced.
I’ve got fantastic memories of driving various versions of the car over the years. When it debuted in 2013, yours truly had the chance to drive it on a track in Los Arcos in the north of Spain. This was just a great day spent behind the wheel and the F-Type proved exceedingly entertaining, but my time off the track was also memorable.
As I watched the cars circulate from a spectator’s area high above the circuit, I stood next to Ian Callum, the legendary car designer. He was beaming, clearly pleased with his latest creation and for good reason, too. The shape of the F-Type remains irresistible, even as it nears the proverbial vanishing point.
When the F-Type SVR landed three years later, it moved the car into an entirely different category. With a supercharged 5.0-litre V-8 developing 567 horsepower, the SVR could launch to 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds and motor on to achieve a terminal velocity of 322 km/h. The car was available in coupe or convertible form.
The global launch event for the F-Type SVR also took place at a racetrack in Spain. But this time, the braintrust at Jaguar chose Motorland Aragon about an hour south of Zaragoza. This track is notable because it incorporates one of the longest straightaways on the continent—over 1.7 km in length—so it was the perfect setting to stretch this cat’s legs.
Fun? You bet. In its first year of production, the SVR coupe was available in a rear-wheel drive configuration. This Jag was an absolute hooligan that required significant driver skill to prevent an untimely meeting with the nearest curb, shrub or guardrail. Such was its performance, the configuration disappeared from the North American market after just one year.
From that point on, the SVR was only available with all-wheel drive—so, still fast, but less furious. The 2024 Jaguar F-Type P575 R75 AWD is, essentially, the same car.
The exterior design of the F-Type was slightly revised in 2019—new headlights and taillights appeared, as well as different wheel and colour choices. Under the surface, the car also gained revised suspension components aimed at bettering steering response. The top speed was also electronically limited to 300 km/h. But for all intents and purposes, the P575 R75 AWD is the beloved SVR, now bearing the “75” moniker to honour the 75th anniversary of Jaguar.
Just as I had remembered from previous encounters, the F-Type remains a fantastic car, wildly rewarding and beautiful to look at from every possible angle. The exhaust note is especially memorable.
The most entertaining moment I had while driving the Jaguar ocurred in my own neighbourhood in Toronto. With the racy exhaust note switch engaged, I drove down a residential street at 37 km/h, just under the 40-km/h threshold. Despite my lack of speed, the car sounded like a crackling, popping barrel full of fireworks.
Triggered by the clamour, a homeowner on the street literally jumped up from her porch to shake a fist at me. There was no need for urgency on her part. The car drove past so slowly, she had to gear-down the rate of her fist-shaking to match. She was mystified at the sight and the sound of the beautiful F-Type motoring past.
In the end, though, that homeowner was won the day. The cacophonous F-Type is no more. Soon, the only Jaguars to drive past her house will be whisper-quiet.
