Reader heading: Jaguar F-Type

The Clarkson Review: Jaguar F-Type S (2013)
It’s a Hard Life

English 102-034

January 27, 2015

Abstract
The Jaguar F-Type, Jaguar’s first sports car since the E-Type died off in the early 70’s. Jaguar’s idea of the F-Type has been around since the late 90’s, but never followed through, but now it’s here. Considered to be one of the best sports cars on sale, the F-Type has overwhelmed the media and has convinced consumers it is ready to take down its competitors. Originally released as a roadster only, the F-Type has spawned many variants since its launch in 2013. The F-Type has won numerous awards and has shown the world that Jaguar through style, performance and value still knows how to build a true sports car.

Article Summary In Jeremy Clarkson’s article, “The Clarkson Review: Jaguar F-Type S (2013) It’s a Hard Life”, written in the Sunday Times Driving, Clarkson talks about the F-Type and what he thinks of it. In his article, Clarkson begins by talking about the last sports car Jaguar produced, the E-Type. He talks about how when world famous singer Frank Sinatra first saw the E-Type, he said, “I have to have this car, and I have to have it now”. He also talks about how when the E-Type first came out, people didn’t car that buying a “Made in Britain” sports car from those days, meant that you would arrive in a cloud of oil and steam. Clarkson then exclaims, that “history has repeated itself with the F-Type”. He tells us that when he first saw test mules of the car, he thought that it would exactly like the XK, except shrunken down and that he was very wrong to think that. For when he first laid eyes on the F-Type, he thought exactly what Frank Sinatra thought when he first saw the E-Type, “I have to have this car and I have to have it now”. Clarkson at this point, goes into talking about the F-Type and all of its ups and downs. He talks about how the F-Type is unlike any other Jag where it would be quiet and comfortable. He talks about how the car is savage and is the most angry and loudest car he has ever experienced. He continues to talk about all the things he likes about the Jag, but then he moves onto the things he doesn’t like. He talks about how he think the trunk is too small and that the ride is unbearable and is the hardest riding car he has ever experienced.

Ever since its founding in 1935, Jaguar has been the king of building sports cars. Its first car, the SS Jaguar, was considered one of the best sports cars of its time and ever since then has been great at the sports car formula. From the SS Jag to the XK120 and then to the world famous E-Type, Jaguar has been building sports cars for the past 50 years. However in the mid 1970’s, Jaguar stopped producing the E-Type and for 40 years didn’t make a true sports car. Then in 2013, Jaguar announced the F-Type, and the world was concerned that after 40 years, Jag had forgotten on how to build the true sports car that they had years ago. But, the world was taken by surprised when they first got a hold of the F-Type and realized that not only was the F-Type one of the best sports cars that Jaguar has made, it was one of the best sports cars ever. In his 2013 article, “The Clarkson Review: Jaguar F-Type S (2013) It’s a Hard Life”, Jeremy Clarkson talks about the F-Type and all of its ups and downs. Clarkson talks about the history of the F-Type, its amazing looks, performance and its competition. In his article, Clarkson (2013) gives his reader a bit of history before he goes into talking about the F-Type. Clarkson talk about when famous singer Frank Sinatra first saw the then new E-Type, he said, “I have to have that car and I have to have it now” and when he first saw the F-Type, he thought the same thing. In its review of the F-Type, AutoCar (2014) says, “the question isn’t if you like it, but, how much do you like it. And the answer is quite a lot”. There is no denying that the F-Type is a gorgeous car, and media all over the world say that the F-Type is probably one of the most beautiful cars ever made. I would certainly agree on that. When I first laid my eyes on the F-Type, I immediately fell in love with its looks and like Sinatra did with the E-Type, thought to myself, “I have to have that car and I have to have it now”. In its review of the F-Type, Top Gear (2013) calls the F-Type, “beautiful and wonderfully desirable”, which is a good way to quickly sum up this amazing Jag. After Clarkson (2013) talks about the exterior he moves onto the interior. He goes on to say, “the interior is just as successful as the exterior”. He talks about how he likes the bronzed buttons throughout the cockpit and that you have the ability to change the color mood lighting like that of a Range Rover. Clarkson did state however, that he thought the dials were a bit 1977ish. Autocar (2014) in its article says, “The impression is one of stylish, luxurious and convincing substance”. I would agree with these articles, in that the interior of the F-Type is just as nice as the exterior. I would not agree with Clarkson however, when he says the dials are a bit 1977ih. I think the dials look very modern. My take on this section of his article is mostly agreement with Clarkson. I agree with him by saying the F-Type is one of the prettiest cars he’s ever seen outside and inside. However there are a few things that I would disagree with Clarkson in this section, like the dials. Overall in his article, Clarkson (2013) praises the F-Type’s style and legacy. Following style, Clarkson (2013) goes onto describe the performance of the F-Type. In his review, Clarkson drove the mid-range V6S version with the 3.0L V6 producing 380bhp and 375ft-lbs of torque. Clarkson (2013) describes the F-Type as, “controlled fury; one of the angriest and loudest cars I’ve ever come across”. He describes the steering, the grip and the speed like nothing anyone has ever experienced and to try and to try and focus on all of those things, “is like trying to figure out a Rubik’s cube while being machined gunned”. In its review of the F-Type, Forbes (2014) described the F-Type as, “fun to drive” and “Solid through the curves and over rough surfaces”. Now I have driven the F-Type S multiple times and I thought that the F-Type was a blast to drive. It was comfortable when I wanted it to and mad, loud and aggressive when I was in the mood. It has been one of if not the best car I’ve ever driven. However, Clarkson (2013) would tend to disagree. He goes on to say that the F-Type is unbearable. He talks about how at high speeds it is fine, but when you are at town speeds, the ride is so harsh and is worse than his Mercedes CLK Black which has been known to have the hardest suspension ever. Top Gear (2014) would partially agree with Clarkson. They say that the ride is comfortable, but also quite firm at times. Overall, I can agree with a lot on what is said about the F-Type’s performance, however there are areas in which I would tend to disagree. Finally, in his article, Clarkson (2013) talks about the F-Type in comparison to its main rivals. The main rivals for the F-Type include the Porsche 911 and Boxster, BMW Z4, Mercedes SL and Chevy Corvette. In his article, Clarkson (2013) focuses on the Porsche Boxster in comparison to the F-Type. He talk about how trying to compare the F-Type to the Boxster, “is like comparing the latest supermodel to Angela Merkel. I could sit here all day and tell you that the supermodel has a screeching, hideous accent, a virulent STD and a propensity for extreme violence, and that Mrs. Merkel is very clever and comfy, but I know which you’d prefer to take to your bed” Clarkson (2013). I would tend to agree with Clarkson on this one. Comparing these two cars is very difficult and as hard of a choice it is, it is quite easy. In its review, Autocar (2014) talks about how the F-Type weighs more than a Porsche 911 and is wider than a 911, but still has the firepower to keep up with its German rival. In my opinion, I think that the F-Type is a better choice over its main rivals. I think that its looks, sounds, performance and value give it the lead over its rivals as the proper choice of sports car. Overall, in his article, Clarkson (2013) does a fantastic job talking about and reviewing the Jaguar F-Type S. he has a lot of strong points in his review and points out some things not mentioned by other automotive journalists. I will say, there are some pints that he makes that I would disagree with, but we all have our right to our own opinions and in some cases, they vary. If anyone wanted to real a solid article describing the F-Type Jag, I would definitely tell them to read Jeremy Clarkson’s article. Throughout his article, Clarkson (2013) talks about how the looks of the F-Type are irresistible, the sounds the car makes are to die for and the performance and speed of the Jag are simply mind blowing. In conclusion, I think that Clarkson’s article is a very good one and he gives a very solid and positive image of the F-Type S by talking about its legacy, looks, performance and its main rivals.

References

1. Clarkson, J. (2013, May 13). The Clarkson Review: Jaguar F-Type S (2013). Retrieved January 18, 2015, from http://www.driving.co.uk/car-reviews/the-clarkson-review-jaguar-f-type-s-2013/

2. English, A. (2013, April 17). Jaguar F-Type Review. Retrieved January 15, 2015, from Proquest

3. Fogelson, J. (2014, October 10). 2015 Jaguar F-Type V8 S Convertible Test Drive And Review: The Next Great Jag. Retrieved January 17, 2015, from http://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonfogelson/2014/10/20/2015-jaguar-f-type-v8-s-convertible-test-drive-and-review-the-next-great-jag/

4. Horrell, P. (2013, April 17). Top Gear Drives the Jaguar F-Type. Retrieved January 18, 2015, from http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/jaguar-f-type-review-first-drive-top-gear-2013-4-18

5. Hunter, T. (2013, September 20). Motoring review : Jaguar F-Type V6 : In love with a Jaguar. Retrieved January 15, 2015, from Ezproxy

6. Sutcliffe, S. (2013, March 14). Jaguar F-Type Convertible Review. Retrieved January 17, 2015, from http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/jaguar/f-type

7. Undercoffler, D. (2013, March 25). HIGHWAY 1: AUTO REVIEW; Just the right Type; Jaguar's 2014 F-Type is the successor to the 1960s E-Type, an influential classic coupe that redefined automotive style. Retrieved January 15, 2015, from Proque