Thoughts on the Jaguar F-Type

"CAcoalminer" (CAcoalminer)
02/16/2016 at 21:30 • Filed to: None

So, as all of you are most likely aware, Jaguar has released statistics for the F-Type SVR. However, this vehicle, like all of the F-Types just doesn’t interest me in the least mainly because of it’s one major flaw- weight. I just don’t understand how a vehicle that is supposed to be made of super lightweight materials can weigh so much. Case in point, how it stacks up to a Mercedes-AMG GT-S.

2016 F-Type R

Length- 176in

Width- 75.7in

Height- 51.6in

Wheelbase- 103.2in

Front track- 62.4in

Rear track- 64.1in

Curb weight- 4,088lbs

2016 AMG GT-S

Length- 179in

Width- 76.3in

Height- 50.7in

Wheelbase- 103.5in

Front track- 66.1in

Rear track- 65in

Curb weight- 3,677lbs

So, you have two cars that are nearly identical proportionally and yet one weighs over 400lbs more. How can this be?

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

I’m glad the new SVR has lost weight but even that will theoretically still be around 3,900lbs, which is simply unacceptable for a two seat sports car costing over $100,000.

Also, Jaguar’s press release is a great example of why you shouldn’t trust everything you read (emphasis mine):

Developed to exploit the lightweight aluminum sports car ’s full potential while retaining its inherent tractability and day-to-day usability, the Jaguar F-TYPE SVR will sprint to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds2 and, in coupe trim, joins an elite club of cars capable of accelerating to 200 mph.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

DISCUSSION (30)

AM3R shamefully returns > CAcoalminer
02/16/2016 at 21:36

The high power makes up for the weight when driving around town, I've briefly driven a V8 F-type coupe. That's my problem with the car too, the weight. It simply shouldn't weigh that much for what it is, especially the SVR. You may not notice it around town, but I'm sure if you track the F-type you'll feel it.

Brian McKay > CAcoalminer
02/16/2016 at 21:55

AMG car weight may be ‘dry weight’ (for crash-testing) while F-type R weight may be ‘curb weight.’

If I were wealthy I would happily buy an F-type R, F-type SVR, Aston Martin DBS, Aston Martin DB9, AMG GT-S, or other coupes which weigh more than 1990s coupes.

Tapas > CAcoalminer
02/16/2016 at 21:59

I hate to say it, but I don’t like the front lower bumper air intakes. I prefer the front bumper from the Project 7. I also don’t like the tacked on rear wing. I know they are functional and everything, but I don’t like them visually.

I was hoping that SVR would mod the F Type in a more extreme fashion with fender flares and all. They havent done that to any other Jag they worked on. Yet.

CAcoalminer > Brian McKay
02/16/2016 at 22:07

No, the AMG’s weight is definitely curb weight as Motor Trend recorded a weight of 3,691lbs.

http://www.motortrend.com/news/2015-moto…

That’s all well and good and I hope you get to the point where you are able to purchase all of those vehicles but the point of my post is to determine why the F-Type weighs so much more.

CAcoalminer > Tapas
02/16/2016 at 22:11

I completely agree with you. I wish they had gone for an active aero setup where the wing would raise and lower when needed. Also, wings on convertibles look ridiculous.

That would have looked nice.

CAcoalminer > AM3R shamefully returns
02/16/2016 at 22:12

It wouldn’t even take a track. Any decent driving road taken at speed would reveal the heft.

Nibby > CAcoalminer
02/16/2016 at 22:30

sex on wheels and aural sex too

boxrocket > CAcoalminer
02/16/2016 at 23:01

As an AWD high-powered front-engine coupe, how does it compare to similar ones like the GT-R?

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > CAcoalminer
02/16/2016 at 23:01

That’s really heavy... My S class weighs less than half a ton more. And it seats 5 and is you know, a S class, a car not exactly know for its lightness .

Tohru > CAcoalminer
02/16/2016 at 23:14

My roommate’s 2006 G35 6MT coupe weighs 3,373 lbs. My 1998 Pontiac Bonneville SE sedan weighs 3,443 lbs. Mine seats 6, his seats 2 comfortably and 2 very uncomfortably.

I call his car fat all the time. He hates it.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > CAcoalminer
02/16/2016 at 23:28

I didn’t know the F-Type weighs more than a Challenger!! What the heck??

Rico > CAcoalminer
02/16/2016 at 23:48

This happens on the new XE as well. They boast light weight but it actually ways more than the BMW 340i.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > CAcoalminer
02/17/2016 at 00:07

Not sure about the weight but you might find this interesting. AWD F-type R vs. AMG GT-S.

Sam > CAcoalminer
02/17/2016 at 00:50

Three words - all wheel drive.

Also, it carries it's weight well. You hardly notice it when driving it hard.

CAcoalminer > boxrocket
02/17/2016 at 01:06

The Nismo is 3,881.

http://www.motortrend.com/news/2015-chev…

The 45th Anniversary Edition is 3,911. http://www.motortrend.com/news/mercedes-…

However, I’d cut the GT-R some slack over the F-Type as it never boasts about being a lightweight vehicle.

CAcoalminer > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
02/17/2016 at 01:07

That puts it even more into perspective and not in a good way.

CAcoalminer > Tohru
02/17/2016 at 01:09

Haha.

CAcoalminer > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/17/2016 at 01:10

That’s disheartening.

CAcoalminer > Rico
02/17/2016 at 01:11

That doesn’t surprise me.

CAcoalminer > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
02/17/2016 at 01:12

Thanks.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > CAcoalminer
02/17/2016 at 01:15

Very much so. It almost makes the MOPAR twins look a little more appealing. Heck, they also weigh almost the same as the 5 and 6 series cars. I’m starting to find weight to be a moot point when it comes to performance cars.

The F-Type is now the worlds most popular 2-ton sports car it seems.

Also, long time no talk! How’ve you been?

CAcoalminer > Sam
02/17/2016 at 01:27

I was waiting for someone to bring this up! Three words- you are incorrect.

2015 F-Type R (RWD)- 3,873lbs (Motor Trend), 3917lbs (Car and Driver)

http://www.motortrend.com/news/2015-jagu…

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2015-j…

2016 F-Type R (AWD)- 4,088lbs

So, we can conclude that buy adding AWD, the F-Type gained around 200lbs. However, that still doesn’t account for why even the lighter RWD version weighs nearly 200lbs more than the AMG.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > CAcoalminer
02/17/2016 at 01:35

the numbers really don’t matter IMHO. the true appeal of a sports GT car is in it’s design, and I think the F-type is the single most attractive automobile on sale today.

I'd buy one over an AMG GT (and check my name; I love AMG) every day of the week and twice on sunday

CAcoalminer > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/17/2016 at 01:44

In isolation, weight isn’t very noticeable (unless its quite a bit more than anything you’ve ever driven i.e. an individual who has always driven a sedan and one day drives a Ford SuperDuty). However, when vehicles like these are driven back-to-back, I’m certain you could feel the difference, especially if you are driving them in an exuberant manner. That being said, as long as you enjoy the vehicle, it really doesn’t matter what it weighs.

I think that’s a fair assessment.

I’ve been very well, thank you. There have been a few changes though. I’ve officially resigned from all of my positions and am completely retired. In addition, my wife and I have moved from our home in Dallas to the Texas hill country full time and we couldn’t be happier. I’ve also sold a few of my cars and downsized to a more manageable fleet.

How have you been? Are you still in school? Also, if I remember correctly, the last time we talked you were seriously researching a new Mustang. Any progress with that or do you have your eye on a new vehicle?

CAcoalminer > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
02/17/2016 at 01:58

I agree with that to a degree but I think the driving experience is fairly high up there as well and weight does play a roll in that. That being said, as long as you enjoy the vehicle, that’s all that matters.

The R is undoubtedly the better looking one of the two.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > CAcoalminer
02/17/2016 at 02:04

driving experience is important, but unless you’re an expert, you won’t tell the difference.

Look at it as two fine wines:

Only a connoisseur of professional proportions will be able to point out the difference between a 1919 Savignon from southern Bordeaux, and a 1924 Savignon from Northeastern Bordeaux. most people would see it as the same wine.

yes, the two will differ in driving experience, but on a day-to-day basis, they won't be different.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > CAcoalminer
02/17/2016 at 02:09

I can agree with that. It may explain why I’m use to driving the Challenger or Charger, because my dad’s Magnum weighs in pretty close to those; which makes sense because they’re all on the same LX platform haha! There’s no doubt in my mind that driving the lot of them back to back, I would feel a considerable difference in handling and overall dynamics. It’s just eye opening to the fact that such a compact vehicle is so very heavy, and that I never would’ve believed it had I not read it, and had I not read it, I would’ve gone on thinking it weighed less than 3600lbs.

That’s nice! It must feel nice to finally and presumably, permanently, kick back and relax from the stresses of work and such! My dad did that for a short time a few years back. Then he decided that was boring and not very fun since all he did was sit at home or watch TV or do some random tennis stuff; so he openned a tennis store and found another job. He only runs the tennis store now, but I like to think of it as a “retirement gift” to himself, since he always wanted a tennis store. But hey, some people are happier working than not working at all, results may vary haha! ^_^

I can’t imagine downsizing being fun. Personally, because I can’t not be emotionally attached to my cars (even though rational thinking suggests that it’s just a car and nothing more).

I’ve had ups and downs since the last time we’ve conversed. New struggles here and there, new challenges to work my body and mind. I've been doing a pretty good job of keeping depression and anxiety at bay to maintain focus, and it's been doing good to try and find new things to see and do. I’m still in school, trying to do the best I can. I did switch majors from Mechanical Engineering to Engineering Technology because it seemed more like something I’d be interested in, and it also lightened my work and stress load ever so slightly; but every bit has to count for something right?

I’ve been trying to shy away from thinking of new vehicles to want to have; were it so easy, however, there’s always something new. I like the new Mustang still, but as much time as I spend on the configurator for it, the new Camaro, Challenger, and Charger, it seems V8s just aren’t available to me from a rational and financial standpoint, yet. I would very much like to trade out of my ST, with my goal being by spring time next year, but the only car I see coming out of that, is an Ecoboost Mustang. And since I’ve changed my opinion on a turbocharged 4-cylinder pony car, I should be more than satisfied and okay with owning one should that be what I go with. But I always find myself going back and forth, this is harder than when I got the ST, because my options were limited to that or a Dodge Dart. Now, I’ve got so many options available to me. However, it’s a good thing I’ve been able to hold out this long because:

1. Camaro has the 1LE for V6s now

2. Mustang may get a facelift and what comes with that for the 2018MY

3. I’m hoping something new happens with the Charger and Challenger at some point next year.

And then I find myself periodically thinking about selling my 944, which I’ve bonded with extremely over the past year, in order to increase funds for whatever car I get next. But much like selling a family member, a close pet, I don’t think I could do it without losing my mind over it. But I can’t have everything, but life is a finite resource, and I shouldn’t keep waiting for things to happen. So many questions I’ve got with seemingly no time to answer them all.

Sorry, I kind went on with my mind freely typing for who knows how long.

boxrocket > CAcoalminer
02/17/2016 at 08:04

True, the GT-R is honest about its weight, but it is sold as somewhat track-ready, with the various computers and settings than can easily be enabled. Price and performance-wise, they seem closely comparable.

CAcoalminer > boxrocket
02/17/2016 at 09:58

I understand.

CAcoalminer > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/22/2016 at 12:47

Sorry for the very late reply. While I am officially retired, I still have a significant financial stake in a few companies and one of them needed me to insure that a major deal went through.

I think you hit on a very important and disappointing point (at least for me) about the F-Type. It has a beautiful, exotic shape that lends one to believe that it is a light, powerful sports car. However, when you look at the specs, you are floored to find that its around two tons. Personally, I just can’t fathom how a 2-door, 2-seat sports car that has a fairly cozy cabin (at least for my formerly 6'5" frame) can be so heavy. Therefore, the major think that disappoints me about this vehicle is that its body shape is writing checks that the entire vehicle simply can’t cash.

That’s terrific to hear! It’s wonderful that your father was able to transition into a field where he (hopefully) has less stress and enjoys what he is selling. Like your father, I don’t see myself getting out of business completely, just transitioning into something that is much less taxing on me and affords me much more control of my free time.

It definitely was not. I had owned my Midnight Blue GT ever since I bought it new way back in 2005. However, recently, I hadn’t driven it or my Mark II Black one in a while and decided that both would be better served in some friends’ garages, as they would actually be using them and appreciate them as much as I do. That being said, it was emotional seeing both of them leave.

I’m very glad for you. Even though I’m in my 70s, I can still remember how difficult college can be. There were times when I asked myself, “Why am I doing this?” and “Is this even worth it?” However, looking back now, it definitely was. If nothing else, college will get you an interview and it just takes that one opportunity for you to be extremely successful. I truly hope this new major allows you to be happier and get more out of school. Also, I hope you have a few very good friends who will prop you up when you’re day isn’t going swimmingly.

Haha. Choice is definitely a blessing and a nightmare at the same time. It’s incredible how many terrific options are currently out there.

I’m very interested in what will occur with the Challenger. Will it become lighter? Also, do you know if the rumored Barracuda revival will still occur?

I can very much understand your sentiment about the 944. Personally, I think you should keep it as you’ve worked on it yourself and really bonded with it. Also, it is an older car that will never be reproduced so it will be much more difficult to replicate the experiences that you have had with it in a new vehicle.

No need to apologize. It seems that you have quite a bit going on in your life at this time but I’m confident that everything will work out in due time. Have a terrific week.