The Four-Cylinder Jaguar F-Type Will Sell By The Truckload, But It's A Fraud
Earlier this week Jaguar revealed the details of a new four-cylinder F-Type, shortly after which the other Matt referred to those people who disapprove of it as “moody purists“. Well, I guess he means me, because on principle alone, I can’t engage with it.
I’ve said some very positive things about the F-Type before. I’ve called the coupe one of the best-looking cars ever made, I’ve heaped adulation on the characterful V6 (which we’re running as a long-termer right now) and hilarious V8, and I’ve praised the high-quality interior. It’s fair to say I’d prefer it to be nine-tenths of its current size, but, overall, I’m a fan. Which is why I’m so damn cross about the four-pot.
What happened when Audi put a diesel in the TT? What happened when Mercedes put a diesel in the SLK? When any manufacturer ever built a model that looked like the one you really wanted but was less powerful, less exciting and much less good? People bought them, that’s what happened. They bought the cheaper, less interesting, less capable ones in their tens of thousands. Great from a business standpoint, but ideologically infuriating.
The really annoying thing is that with some of the models you simply don’t know whether it’s the good one or the pretender until you’re up close. Some can even be de-badged to hide their identity almost completely. It’s like their owners are ashamed of them. And herein lies the fundamental problem with cars that look like the full banana, but aren’t: they’re frauds. They’re riding on the coat tails of their betters, pretending to be all that when in fact their key component – their engine – can’t hope to live up to the car’s image.
If you buy a sports car, it should have a sports car engine. If you want an economical car, don’t buy a sports car. If you shove a diesel engine into a sports car, as per the Audi TT, it’s no longer a sports car. If you install a four-cylinder turbo into a car that was built for a thunderous V8, you might be able to tap handling advantages thanks to reduced weight (52kg in the F-Type’s case), but where’s the theatre? The drama? The sports car joie de vivre? Only time – and a good, long drive – will tell, but the current Ford Mustang makes a good reference point. In the EcoBoost vs V8 argument, things don’t look good for the former.
The four-pot F-Type has been compared to the likes of the Cayman and Boxster 718, since the Porsches have gone four-cylinder as well, but that’s nonsense. The first F-Type was deliberately placed between the Boxster/Cayman and the 911 on price to avoid too much direct competition with either. The four-cylinder F-Type coupe is still about £8000 more expensive than the 296bhp Cayman, and a fraction cheaper than a 345bhp Cayman S. Given how much sharper and more agile the Cayman is, the F-Type has to offer something the Porsche doesn’t. But, on paper at least, the new one falls short.
It’s only 38bhp short of the basic V6, and I can’t imagine Jaguar will sell too many of those now that there’s a cheaper option. The new four is a whisker faster to 62mph, after all, and more people will be swayed by price than by V6 character. Jaguar claims that the intake and exhaust will be tuned to deliver the goods in terms of noise and has released this clip, but although we need to hear it properly before making a final judgement, the first impressions are not good. I fear that the four-cylinder F-Type has got a prestigious name, but not the goods to back it up. It’s like a kid who pursues an unfulfilling football career at Barnet just because his dad played for Manchester United.
After deliveries start for the new entry-level car, I’ll be willing to bet that at least three-quarters of all new F-Types in the UK will only have four cylinders. One day soon you’ll be standing on a kerb watching one approach, ready to enjoy the V-burble as it passes, only to be greeted with… something less good. How can a four-cylinder F-Type engine be anything other than a relative disappointment? It could taint the model; slowly chip away at its prestige over time until all that’s left is an ordinary engine in a sporty body. The F-Type could become just another car sold on style, not charisma.
Clearly that doesn’t bother all the people who buy ST Line Fords, M Sport BMWs and S line Audis, and Jaguar will no doubt make a killing on the downsized, turbocharged car, but I can’t help but feel that the F-Type is better than this.
Comments
Another article that tries to tar the general car-buying masses with a brush provided by enthusiasts. There are reasons most people choose image over performance. Be glad they exist.
Just as a thought here. When this goes on sale and the others drop in sales. In the long term future both the V6 and V8 will be rarerer and maybe they won’t depreciate as badly due to their limited number of how many there are of them?
I agree. I’d be a bit annoyed right now if I’d bought an F-Type only to discover it’s image was about to be tainted with a 4-pot. I would say, however, that the V6 is worth the extra £3,665 it costs.
I would also like to point out (as I did on the other article) that the four-cylinder model is not quicker than the V6 in a direct comparison. The automatic I4 is quicker than a manual V6 but slower than an automatic V6, as you can see here: http://rules.config.jaguar.com/jdx/en_gb/f-type_k18/3ey31/a-cecpbs/jdxmodel.html
What’s so bad about ST Line Fords, M Sport BMWs and S-Line Audis? Not everybody wants to spend an extra 10-30 grand for the full RS, M or RS(Audi) models… I mean really, what’s so dissatisfying about owning a M340i? It’s no M3, but not a 320i either, it’s still a pretty damn nice car.
Here’s the rub, you’re looking at the f-type as a badge and bragging rights. What we’re looking at here is a British FD, a good looking roadster with enough power to excite but without a Britannia Sports price tag.
This is the perfect test bed for Jaguar bringing half-cast British racing pedigree to the common man, to let the real world get back in touch with the glory of British automotive engineering. Cast aside your classist snobbery and thin blue blood to draw the draw the attention of the red blooded indomitable working spirit and revive Britannia’s global presence in the motoring world.
Amen brother.
I hate to tell you this, but the four banger is only three grand less. At that kind of money, it’s not a lot.
I long for the revival of the British Empire as much as anyone. I just don’t think £50,000 4-pot Jaguar sports cars is the answer.
Jaguar was intending to rival Porsche 911 with their F-Type and they did but people are still going back to the carrera so now they must figure out a market for themselves,this thing will only rival the Maserati gt and that’s about it + why does the new rear bumper looks ugly (less is more jaguar please bring back the simple diffuser )
Than I don’t get your problem? Let people buy a 4 cylinder… It’s way better for taxes in some country and the performance etc are more or less the same.
A 4 cylinder shouldn’t be in a car this beautiful.
Nice lines, shame about the price……
Someone’s been to busy sniffing Ferrari / Mclaren / Porsche / Pagani / Bugatti exhaust fumes to remember the hordes of car enthusiasts who would love a V8 Jag but would have to sell their children to afford one.
This whole “no charisma” “watered down engine” argument is a load elitist bovine excrement that glosses over the benefits of a lighter car with a potentially revolutionary Powerplant ( 150HP per liter is no joke).
You went nuts when the Miata downsized to a 1.5 and was made smaller but you scoff when you are presented with the broke enthusiast’s jag. Uncork your head from your cuvee backside.