The Modern V-8 Sports Car Destined to Become a Future Icon

Sports cars as we know them are changing. While the shift towards electrification has certainly slowed down in the last year or two, it still feels as if gasoline is on its way out. It is within this context that a coupe with a supercharged V-8 exists as a swansong for all petrolheads.

With many brands preparing themselves for an electric future, automakers have started downsizing even their most prestigious sports cars. A pure V-8 without hybrid assistance is becoming an increasingly rare thing. In a two-seater sports car, an engine like that can be a potent and emotion-inducing thing.

It is pretty underrated in the current market, but one eight-cylinder coupe stands out for being the end of an era for one of the most prestigious automakers in history. Not only is it one of the last V-8 sports cars, but it is one of the last gasoline-powered vehicles that this brand will ever produce. We dive into what makes it such a special car and how it will remain desirable years from now.

The Jaguar F-Type Is an Underrated Work of Art

Jaguar is a brand that has been going through some major changes, with financial trouble forcing them to completely reinvent themselves. The British automaker has leaned heavily into a new all-electric identity, but if you crave the old-school class and grunt that made the Jaguar brand what it is today, then the F-Type should definitely grab your attention.

2024 Trims and Pricing

Jaguar has slowed things down as they begin to pivot towards building their new electric lineup. This means that you’ll have to go search for a new F-Type at a dealership if you want one, rather than being able to order one to spec. While this isn’t ideal, it’s really hard to go wrong with an F-Type, with every model being pretty impressive.

While the 575-horsepower version of the V-8 is certainly alluring, we’d stick with the P450 instead as it is still more than quick enough. The coupe is sleek and sexy, and how we’d want our F-Type to look. We really can’t fault you, though, if you’d prefer to get the convertible to be able to cruise along with the top down.

The 75th Anniversary Edition

The 2024 model year is the last we’ll see of the F-Type, and likely the last gasoline-powered jungle cat that the brand will ever make. This alone makes it an incredibly special car. We think that V-8 sports cars are an endangered breed, and machines like the F-Type are guaranteed to be collectors items in the future, representative of a different time in automotive history, before batteries and electric motors.

The final model year of the F-Type and Jaguar’s 75th birthday happened to coincide, and the brand celebrated by producing a special edition F-Type. Special badging, a unique interior color, and gorgeous 20-inch wheels set it apart from the regular F-Type. Years from now, we think that this will be a fairly desirable model.

Warranties and Maintenance

• Limited Warranty – Five Years or 60,000 Miles
• Powertrain Warranty – Five Years or 60,000 Miles
• Complimentary Maintenance – Five Years or 60,000 Miles

The warranties offered by Jaguar are some of the best in this segment, lasting a year more than competitors at the likes of BMW and Audi. More impressive, though, is the fact that the British automaker offers a five-year complimentary maintenance plan. One of the biggest concerns when buying a Jag is reliability and maintenance, and knowing that you’ll be covered for the first five years offers brilliant peace of mind.

Related

2025’s Cheapest Luxury Sedans With Premium Features

Luxury doesn’t have to mean expensive. These 2025 sedans offer premium features, upscale comfort, and refined style at surprisingly low prices.

A Sonorous V-8 Roars to Life Inside the 2024 Jaguar F-Type

As mentioned above, eight-cylinder engines are pretty special. While they aren’t exactly extinct yet, it feels like downsizing is inevitable, which is fairly devastating. The F-Type is special, not just because it is one of the last sports cars that will host a V-8, but also because it is one of the last Jaguars that will actually roar.

Performance Specifications

Where previously a supercharged V-6 was available, Jaguar simplified the engine lineup, only offering a choice of two supercharged V-8s for the 2025 model year. Both come standard with an eight-speed automatic. The P450 with the less powerful engine can be had in rear-wheel drive, but the P575 only comes in all-wheel drive.

The F-Type’s driving dynamics are fairly unique. It is a sharp and hardened sports car, but it doesn’t live on the edge like some of its rivals. Instead, it finds itself somewhere between track car and grand tourer. Instead of being the most responsive or the most agile, the F-Type sets itself apart by being the most dramatic. The sound of the V-8 growling as you rev and the playfulness of the chassis tuning make it incredibly rewarding.

Fuel Economy

We doubt that anyone expects a supercharged V-8 sports car to be particularly efficient. Relative to similarly powerful options, the F-Type isn’t all that bad, though. Going with all-wheel drive drops your efficiency in the city by a single mile per gallon. Opting for the more powerful P575 actually has no downside when it comes to overall efficiency.

Related

Why This Korean Luxury Sedan Is a Better Buy Than German Rivals

With standout design, advanced tech, and unbeatable value, this Korean luxury sedan challenges German rivals.

No One Does Style Like Jaguar Does

Jaguar’s F-Type is often criticized for being slower than some of the segment’s best cars, edging slightly more in the way of comfort than pure thrills. One thing that no one can really argue with, though, is the fact that the F-Type is one of the most visually stunning cars that has ever been made, inside and out.

Interior Dimensions and Comfort

One thing you need to know about the F-Type is that it is smaller than you’re imagining. It isn’t tiny, but interior space and cargo capacity is minimal. If you’re particularly tall, you’re going to have some issues comfortably fitting into the cabin. Legroom is plentiful, though. The cargo area is pretty cramped, and you won’t find many storage cubbies around the interior.

This aside, Jaguar has created a beautiful-looking space for you and your passenger. The British brand uses a blend of high-end materials, such as suede, chrome, and leather, throughout the cabin. The standard seats are brilliant and come with six-way power adjustability, but they can be upgraded to 12-way leather or suede performance seats.

Infotainment and Technology

Jaguar has always been pretty good at integrating screens into the design of their cockpits without them coming across as too gaudy or overbearing. The ten-inch unit in the F-Type is the perfect example. It is pressed neatly into the dashboard, but is easy to reach and navigate. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are, of course, standard features.

In front of the driver is another screen. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster displays vital information. It is fully customizable, with you being able to change what is in front of you and save it to your personalized profile.

Jaguar offers their connected navigation pro system, which uses real-time traffic data and 3D mapping to help plan your routes most efficiently. Audiophiles will be pleased with the rich, ten-speaker Meridian sound system that comes standard in the Jag. Finally, customizable ambient interior lighting allows you to set the mood as you cruise around in your gorgeous V-8 coupe or convertible.