© Mike Meredith, Automotive Content Experience
2022 Jaguar F-TYPE
Often called one of the most beautiful cars ever created, the Jaguar E-Type has been hailed by many as the ultimate British sports car from the day it debuted at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show. After decades of producing larger grand touring coupes and convertibles, Jaguar eventually introduced the F-TYPE — a small 2-seat coupe and convertible and heir apparent to the E-Type. The 2022 Jaguar F-TYPE continues in that tradition as a modern sports car and spiritual successor to the original E-Type.
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2022 Jaguar F-TYPE
The F-TYPE debuted for the 2013 model year in convertible form, followed by an F-TYPE coupe originally shown at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show. Jaguar refreshed the original design for the 2021 model year, retaining the overall look with subtle refinements including a larger grille, slim LED headlights and signature J daytime running lights. At the rear, the F-TYPE’s LED taillights are slimmer as well to echo the lights up front, with an LED chicane pattern, and the rear diffuser accentuates the large quad exhaust tips. In past model years the F-TYPE has been offered with a range of engines; for 2022 the brand offers the new F-TYPE exclusively with a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine producing 444 horsepower in the F-TYPE P450 and 575 horsepower in the F-TYPE R.
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2022 Jaguar F-TYPE P450
Jaguar provided us with a 2022 F-TYPE P450 to test drive, finished in British Racing Green Metallic with an Ebony and Tan interior. Starting price for the 2022 Jaguar F-TYPE P450 is $69,900, and the test car arrived with a number of options including the Interior Luxury Pack Plus, a full extended leather upgrade, tanned Windsor Leather performance seats, 12-way heated and cooled seats, a fixed panoramic roof, a Meridian surround sound system and 20-inch 5-spoke Gloss Technical Grey wheels for a total price as tested of $86,200 including a $1,150 destination charge.
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Design
“F-TYPE has always had great proportions and stance, and our latest design is all about enhancing those key Jaguar values,” said Jaguar Exterior Design Director Adam Hatton. “Our aim was to make the car more contemporary, more purposeful, and even more dramatic,” Hatton concluded.
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British Racing Green Metallic
A modern take on a classic Jaguar color, the British Racing Green Metallic on the 2022 Jaguar F-TYPE is extremely dark, looking almost black in certain light conditions. However, when sunlight touches the paint a deep metallic green hue shines through. This green is a beautiful color for the F-TYPE — especially when paired with the Ebony and Tan interior.
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Under the Hood
The rear-wheel-drive F-TYPE P450 is a new entry-level trim for the 2022 Jaguar F-TYPE, powered by a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine producing 444 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque, with maximum torque produced from a mere 2500 rpm. The engine gets mated with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and power is delivered through a standard electronic active differential. According to Jaguar, the F-TYPE P450 will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and has a top track speed of 177 mph.
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Inner Space
While many manufacturers claim their cars have it, the F-TYPE interior is actually driver focused with an asymmetrical center console and grab handle on the right, so everything falls easily to hand for the driver. As previously mentioned, the test car possessed a beautiful Ebony and Tan interior with the full extended leather upgrade. A 12.3-inch reconfigurable interactive driver display is standard equipment, with a choice of different display modes including full map. The default mode features a large center tachometer.
© Mike Meredith, Automotive Content Experience
Performance Seats
The optional tanned Windsor Leather performance seats complement the 2022 Jaguar F-TYPE P450’s overall interior ambience, adding aggressive side bolsters, additional shoulder support, quilting and contrasting stitching. The seats are supportive, comfortable and beautiful.
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On the Road
The 2022 F-TYPE P450 is a striking car, especially in the color combination we drove. Speaking of driving, the P450 provides a wonderful experience thanks to its powerful V8 engine and smooth, quick-shifting 8-speed automatic. The new P450 replaces the 2021 F-TYPE and its supercharged V6 that produces 380 horsepower, and it’s great having a 444-horsepower V8 as the entry variant below the 575-horse F-TYPE R.
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High Performance
The supercharged 5.0-liter V8 offers maximum torque at 2500 rpm, so for casual driving around town the transmission upshifts quickly with no need for downshifting to modulate acceleration, thanks to all the available torque. But with nearly 450 horsepower on tap, a high-performance sports car lives within the 2022 Jaguar F-TYPE’s sumptuously subtle demeanor. Select Dynamic mode and throttle response becomes more aggressive, the transmission shift map changes and the exhaust opens to produce a throaty note from the V8 engine.
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Dynamic Mode
Although the F-TYPE P450 will casually go about its daily routine, beneath its surface lurks a serious sports car ready to attack winding back roads. The steering is direct and responsive — about as good as a modern electric-boosted steering can be — and the adaptive suspension works well to provide comfortable cruising or more aggressive driving. In Dynamic mode the throttle response is more direct, and the transmission holds lower gears longer to prevent unwanted shifts. The driver can always assume control over gear selection via paddles behind the steering wheel, self-selecting the proper gear for any situation.
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Beautiful Design
The 2022 Jaguar F-TYPE is a beautiful design both inside and out. Some might find the interior too tight, but this is a small, 2-seat sports car and that should be expected. We prefer to embrace the intimate feeling of the seats and driver-centric design that puts everything within reach. The Ebony and Tan interior with optional performance seats turns out to be one of our favorite interior designs ever — and we’ve experienced a lot of interiors over the years. From the driver’s seat, this car simply feels special.
© Mike Meredith, Automotive Content Experience
Quiet Start
A nice addition for the 2022 model year, the F-TYPE’s Quiet Start mode keeps bypass valves in the exhaust system closed at startup for a quieter exhaust note, unless the driver selects Dynamic Mode or presses the switchable active exhaust button before firing up the engine. The louder exhaust setting sounds great on the open road or at other times of the driver’s choosing. With previous F-TYPE V8 variants, the exhaust note was too loud for early morning starts in quiet neighborhoods and did not offer a quieter option. The 2022 Jaguar F-TYPE’s Quiet Start gives owners the choice of a more subdued exhaust for early outings — a feature that will be appreciated by drivers and neighbors alike.
© Mike Meredith, Automotive Content Experience
