The new F-Type Jaguar is just too precious to get down and dirty on the race track
Beneath its stone-cold gorgeous skin, the F-Type's new torque vectoring technology has upped its already wonderfully grippy performance
LIKE a lot of people reading these pages, I’ve spent the best part of my life daydreaming about the moment I buy my first supercar.
There’s about ten cars on the wishlist, and the colour I choose depends on which one I’m buying — black Porsche 911 Turbo, matt grey Mercedes AMG GT, white Lamborghini Huracan Performante, etc.
But my imagination also rehearses the prosaic stuff. I picture inching it tentatively backwards into a garage I don’t yet own, cleaning alloys with foaming liquids which cost more per litre than a good bottle of red and which garage I will trust to service it.
You know what I definitely don’t do, though? I don’t picture driving it flat out on a circuit with a surface comprised of chunky gravel, yellow clay-like mud and Tarmac so slippery it might as well be the ice rink at Winter Wonderland.
But that’s what I did this week, in a car which is high on that list of ten I mentioned earlier — the Jaguar F-Type.
It went against every grain in my body to put Jag’s sexiest, most capable car through the washing machine churn of grit and dirt.
It sounded like footage of a hail storm you see on those Channel Five shows with names like The Most Lethal Killer Storms Of All Time Ever, as golf ball-sized chunks of rock sprayed every inch of the car.
It was the 2.0 litre four cylinder version, which sends all 296bhp to the back wheels, and with no surface grip the morning was spent frantically correcting oversteer and laying this £50,000 supermodel down into long, dirty drifts.
If I owned it, all this would have been done through streams of tears.
At this point, I should explain — there is method to Jag’s madness. The 2019 model F-Type is ready, but it’s what’s known in the industry as a “model year update”.
Normally a few tweaks and changes, mostly unnoticeable to the naked eye, a new paint job or two. But that’s it.
This poses a challenge to a company which wants to keep its car in our imagination, yet doesn’t have much new to scream and shout about.
The solution? Show just how downright brilliant it is by sticking it on a half-rally, half-road race track. If you think the track sounds familiar, you’re right.
It’s the one used in the Celebrity Face Off challenge in The Grand Tour — that little show presented by those three blokes who used to work for the BBC.
So what’s new about the F-Type range for 2019?
Firstly, they’ve all been given numbers to denote the power output.
The entry level 2.0 litre is now called the P300, and the P340 and P380 are what was previously known as the V6 and V6S.
More significantly, underneath that stone cold gorgeous skin, the new F-Type has been equipped with torque vectoring technology across the range.
KEY FACTS
JAGUAR F TYPE P300
Price: £51,210
Engine: 2.0 litre turbo petrol
Economy: 35.8mpg
0-62mph: 5.4 seconds
Top speed: 155mph
Length: 4.5 metres
CO2: 179g/km
Distributing torque to the wheels which need it most has upped the F-Type’s already grippy performance, delivering an even tighter, more confidence-inspiring drive — peace of mind as Britain’s roads surrender to blankets of mushy leaves and squirmy sludge.
The interior has been brightened by a new 10in colour touchscreen, and there’s a palette of 18 new paint options.
And that about does it — a great car just got a little bit greater. If you buy one — and you should — promise me one thing: you won’t take it rallying.
Hyundai hybrid hype fails to deliver
THERE was a time when a Hyundai was the cheap and cheerful option.
Basic, and as much fun to drive as a wet flannel, previous cars at least guaranteed hefty savings over rivals.
But as with sister company Kia, Hyundai has pushed towards premium. You’ll now find models costing in excess of £35,000.
The latest refreshed Tucson is an example of this, with prices starting at £21,845 and rising to £34,945 for the top spec 48V mild hybrid.
It’s impressive that the Korean marque has launched the first diesel mild hybrid in its class, but it’s hard to say why, exactly, you should buy it.
Yes, the big SUV packs a 2.0-litre diesel engine that kicks out 182bhp and 400Nm of torque, while the clever 48V electrical system aids acceleration and helps the engine run at lighter loads for a quieter drive.
But steering lacks feel and suspension doesn’t cope well with quick corners.
It’s comfortable and peaceful but spend any time pounding the motorways, staring at the simple infotainment system, and you’ll begin to question the price tag.
There is little complaint from the outside – this Tucson is one of the sharpest in Hyundai’s line-up – but the interior lacks character.
Sure, there’s toys and gizmos (reversing cameras, downhill assist, intelligent all-wheel-drive) but it’s just not as well executed as the Skoda Karoq or VW Tiguan.
But most bafflingly of all, this mild hybrid version can’t compete with straight diesels in terms of fuel economy and CO2 emissions.
Hyundai claims the system is seven per cent more efficient than the most powerful outgoing 2.0-litre diesel Tucson, but those margins feel too slim for such an expensive machine.
Ironically, customers looking for the biggest bang for their buck might be better off looking at cheaper, mid-spec cars from rivals.
Something I didn’t think I’d say about a Hyundai.
Leon Poultney
KEY FACTS
HYUNDAI TUCSON PREMIER SE 2.0 CRDi 48V
Price: £34,945
Engine: 2.0 diesel + 48V system
Economy: 49.6mpg
0-62mph: 9.5 secs
Top speed: 125mph
Length: 4.5 metres
CO2: 151g/km
Living up to the hype
McLAREN has leaked more details on its hyper car, the Speedtail.
Those who can afford the £1.75million asking price can customise the badges on the car – including one in 18-carat white gold.
The Speedtail, which will be on the road in 2020, will be a nod to McLaren F1’s pedigree, with a central driver’s seat and two passenger seats either side behind.
It will top out at 243mph thanks to an 814bhp 4.0 litre turbo V8, with electric engine.
Pretty nippy then.
Reader’s car of the week
A ROUND of applause for Roy Melling, from Wolverhampton, who sent in this snap of his treasured motorhome.
As long as you love it, any vehicle’s welcome here.
Roy says: “My 1981 Mercedes Tabbert motorhome. It’s still in use and in good condition.
“Maybe the only one left as I can’t find another. If anyone knows different I’d like to know.”
To see your own pride and joy here send a picture and brief description to [email protected]
Bike News
Multiple thrills
THE Ducati Multistrada Enduro is a big bike, plain and simple.
There’s no point buying one and then moaning that it’s too cumbersome, but that’s what some people have done.
So, for 2019, the Multistrada Enduro is actually a bit smaller than the current model. Lower pegs, bars and a range of seats means that getting on one will be easier for more folk.
There’s less suspension travel at either end as well – you still get 18.5cm to play with, which was more than enough for our 70km off-road test route in Florence, Italy.
Multiple rider modes, active suspension, a quick shift gearbox and a host of safety aids are all on hand to make you look and feel like a hero in the dirty stuff.
Neither weight nor size are an issue.
We all know there are pretend adventure bikes out in the market that would struggle with much more than bouncing up a kerb and a ride across the local football pitch – trust us when we say this bike is not one of those.
Road manners are equally as impressive.
Handily, the Multi meets all standards of off-road surface by being fitted with separate Pirelli Scorpion tyres, one knobbly (the Rally) and a smooth road friendly one (the Trail). With the smooth tyres fitted, along with a taller adjustable screen and huge panniers, we felt like we could have ridden all the way back to Blighty on this bike.
MOST READ IN MOTORS
Our pick of the two would be the Sand coloured one with the touring pack. At £19,852 it’s not cheap, but we’re sure you get more than you pay for with this one.
The 1260 Multistrada is a serious piece of kit in every respect. It is the most technically advanced adventure bike we’ve ever ridden. Picture The Sun’s 2018 Motorcycle of the Year (the Ducati Panigale V4), but with longer legs and more room for sandwiches in the panniers.
That’s how good this bike is. Get a test ride booked and see for yourself.
- FOR more bikes search Bike World on YouTube or find Bike World on Amazon Prime.