2021 Jaguar F-Type R Convertible

When the Jaguar F-type made its debut eight years ago, it marked a rebirth of the legendary British brand and introduced one of the best-looking coupe designs in recent memory. The F-Type, penned by Ian Callum, has a whisper of E-Type in its design language, and even now, years later, the 2021 Jaguar F-Type R is still a fabulous looking thing. For the new year, the Type R, along with the rest of the F-Type lineup, gets a sleeker front end and a new infotainment system. The F-Type R delivers a serious 567 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque thanks to a 5.0-liter supercharged V8, matching the old SVR version. Priced at $105,000, this leaping cat goes up against the best the USA and Europe have to offer. Can it keep its head up?

If you thought the F-Type's supercharged 6-cylinder engine sounded great, wait until you hear the supercharged 5.0-liter gas V8 under the hood of the F-Type R. This beast of an engine produces 567 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to an all-wheel drivetrain via a Quickshift ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. The end result is a car that will leap to 60 mph in only 3.5 seconds. Throttle response is excellent, and the F-Type R can be very tame in town when needed. But whether it's just down the road or a long highway trip, the convertible is far from fuel-efficient.

A 2-door drop-top sports car with a supercharged V8 engine under the hood is always going to be a compromised machine in one way or another. The 2021 Jaguar F-Type R Convertible looks arguably better than ever before thanks to some updated styling, but we are still faced with some of the same issues as always: the interior will feel cramped for larger adults, there is very little cargo space, and the infotainment system is still not up to par. Thankfully you'll forget about all those minor issues once you get behind the wheel. This machine still delivers a brilliant driving experience, offers tons of performance, and doesn't try to completely rob you in terms of standard features (we're looking at you, Porsche). There is no safety rating from the NHTSA nor the IIHS, and a few recalls over the last few years make its reliability somewhat questionable. In review, the 2021 F-Type R isn't a perfect vehicle, but it will make you feel alive and look good.

The 2021 Jaguar F-Type R Convertible comes as a single model with the full-house package, leaving the options list relatively short. Still, if we were buying, we'd opt for one in British Racing Green (a $710 option) and get the optional 20-inch 10-spoke black wheels for $500. On the inside, we'd get the 12-way heated and cooled memory seats for $800 and the Meridian Sound system for $870. The $1,125 Climate package with dual-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, and a heated windshield will also make our list, as would the optional Park assist for $510. The total price of a 2021 Jaguar F-Type R convertible with this build is $109,640, including a destination fee of $1,150.