Ramsey Qubein is a freelance travel journalist covering hotels, cruises,…
In celebration of Jaguar’s 75 years of producing luxury sports cars and the final model year of the F-TYPE after just over a decade of the type on sale, the company released two special edition cars: the F-TYPE 75 and F-TYPE R 75 that come in Coupe and Convertible body styles. Powered by its supercharged V8 engines (synonymous with the F-TYPE) in 450PS and 575PS forms (respectively), these cars will appeal to those looking for speed, style and substance in a new vehicle. And Jaguar does not disappoint.
Available for ordering earlier this year, the company is turning heads (yet again) with its design prowess and automotive excellence. Here are five reasons why you may want to get behind the wheel of these two F-TYPE special editions this spring.
Chic style and design
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Those familiar with the line’s sports vehicles will notice some discreet changes to these special edition cars like the grill badge and wheel centers sporting a black instead of red hue. Another color swap is found in the R and R-Dynamic badge accent colors that are now black and grey instead of the previous red and green.
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Both have rear haunches that slope elegantly downward toward the rear LED lights. They have a “Chicane” signature and powertrain-specific exhaust pipes. The F-TYPE 75 has a gloss back, five-spoke design. The F-TYPE R 75 has a gloss black diamond-turned 10-spoke design.
Speed
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The sound of either the four or eight-cylinder options have outputs ranging from 300PS to 575PS, and you can go from zero to hero on the highway in no time.
While city drivers may have less of a need for such a sensation, automotive fans immediately recognize this unmistakable Jaguar hallmark. The pulsing red-color start button acts as the heart beat of this speed-thirsty vehicle.
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The familiar crackle and pop on the overrun is notable with each engine matching to a switchable active exhaust system. There’s also a quiet start option as part of the V8 benefit.
Agility
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Both models have a rear electronic active differential that helps optimize traction. The rear-drive feel and handling balance is evident thanks to the torque on-demand all-wheel drive system. It has “intelligent driveline dynamics” technology. This comes standard on the F-TYPE R 75, and it is an add-on for the standard model.
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Jaguar’s “adaptive dynamics system with configurable dynamics” uses electronically-controlled, continuously-variable dampers to optimize both low-speed comfort and high-speed control, key for those that have a dual use for these cars. The configurable dynamics enable the driver to also adjust for suspension stiffness, steering weight, throttle response and gear shifts.
These cars are only available in automatic model; the manual cars are now discontinued.
Comfort
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All of them come with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. The pedestrian detection system is a real win for those with frequent city driving. Other features include lane-keeping assistance, automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. Those come standard. There are options to tack on like parallel parking assistance and blind-spot monitoring.
For practicality purposes, these cars have more trunk space than your average convertible, which comes as a pleasant surprise.
The legend
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In 1948, Jaguar launched the XK120, the world’s fastest production car. It continues its legacy and heritage today with two glamorous special editions. The brand’s signature and poster-worthy F-TYPE is a customer favorite. These two special editions are a fitting way to end its 75-year traditional engine run.
Ramsey Qubein is a freelance travel journalist covering hotels, cruises, airlines, and loyalty programs from around the globe.