The Jaguar F-Type captivated the hearts and minds of the automotive world when it first debuted in 2013. The Ian Callum penned machine was a spiritual successor to the legendary E-Type that did the original proud, but after seven years on the scene, it was time for a change. Jaguar revealed the 2021 Jaguar F-Type facelift in December last year, with sharper styling, more tech, and more power on V8 models, and now, Jaguar has confirmed US specification as well as how much you'll be paying for the updated F-Type. Spoiler alert: you can buy the facelifted F-Type for as little as the 2020 model, but you're going to be getting a whole lot more sports car.
Stylistic Upgrades
The pre-facelift F-Type was hardly ugly - in fact, we thought it was utterly gorgeous - but the more we look at the facelift the more it grows on us. It's sharper than before, with narrow LED headlights, a revised front bumper, and an enlarged grille to give the two-seat sports car an even wider stance. The LED taillights get the same slimming treatment, and the rear deck and bumper have been revised ever so slightly.
Inside, the cockpit has been streamlined for a more purist approach to the sports car. Luxurious materials like Windsor Leather and Suedecloth, with updated stitching and material choices to enhance the interior ambiance. The biggest update is the 12.3-inch fully digital instrumentation display and a new Jaguar InControl Touch Pro infotainment suite, housed on a 10-inch touchscreen display with additional control via three rotary control dials. The system now features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard, along with over-the-air updates to ensure the suite is never out of date.
Upgraded Performance
While the upgraded tech and refined design will bring mass-market appeal, the upgraded engines will catch the eye of driving enthusiasts. Three engine choices carry over, a turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder developing 296 horsepower, a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 (Jaguar decided not to employ a BMW straight-six as previously rumored) developing 380 hp, and a supercharged 5.0-liter V8. The big news is that the V8 gets a power bump for the 2021 model, now developing the 575 hp previously reserved for the F-Type SVR.
Power is managed by an eight-speed automatic gearbox, with the previously available six-speed manual dropped from the line-up. Rear-wheel drive is standard on the 2.0T models, but the V6 and V8 models are exclusively available with a rear-biased AWD system.
All engine choices are paired with an active exhaust system, with pops and bangs on overrun retained as a firm part of the F-Type's DNA. But the V8 models are now equipped with a 'Quiet Start' mode, which closes the exhaust valves to ensure you can sneak out of the neighborhood unheard.
Models and Pricing
Jaguar has slimmed down the model lineup for 2021, offering just four trims for the US market. The F-Type P300 and First Edition P300 are the 2.0T-equipped derivatives, while the R-Dynamic P380 gets the V6, and the F-Type R gets the full-fat V8.
In an interesting move, Jaguar has kept the base price of the F-Type in P300 guise the same as it was for 2020, starting at $61,600 for the coupe, while the convertible asks $64,700. If you're able to lay hands on the limited First Edition model, the coupe will ask $73,100 while the droptop carries an MSRP of $75,400. The lone V6-equipped derivative carries an asking price of $81,800 and $84,900 for coupe and convertible models respectively, while the F-Type R commands a steep asking price of $103,200 and $105,900 respectively for both body styles.