Jaguar F-Type R P575 2023 Review | Goodwood Test

After ten years, the Jaguar F-Type is winding down. It’ll be a sad moment when this ridiculously pretty sportscar leaves the market at the end of 2023, but there’s enough time left to get your purchase completed before the curtains close for good.

The F-Type range has been pretty fluid over the past decade, but one element that has remained throughout is the F-Type R, powered by its 5.0-litre supercharged V8, and in this latest guise it’s been tuned to its most powerful form yet.

It’s somewhat terrifying to think that we have enjoyed a full ten years of the Jaguar F-Type, of which the R has always been the most extreme in terms of looks, sound and speed. Are there any cracks to be found in this flawless visage? Or is this classy sportscar being laid to rest at the very peak of its powers?

One element of the Jaguar F-Type that will never get old is that styling. Is there a better-looking car on sale today? It’s just exquisite, and even the facelift that brought in new streamlined LED headlights has grown on me to such an extent that now I actually prefer it. The sleek front end gives off the look of a hunting predator, which is suitable for a car built by Jaguar.

Choosing between Coupe and Convertible has always been a tough one for F-Type fans, but in the case of the Coupe the roofline compliments the rest of the car’s shape, and slopes down smoothly into what is almost certainly the best-looking rear end currently on sale.

The bulging haunches give this car so much muscular style, with a kind of angular curve that comes together with the Coupe roof to form a single straight line across the back. It’s a simplistic design, with nothing superfluous to distract your eyes, a good lesson for plenty of other designers out there. The V8 model is finished off with the quad exhausts, just to show off that you are indeed in possession of this raucous V8.

A V8 that still sounds absolutely brutal. That's the major selling point of this F-Type R. It’s not as visceral as it used to be, but you still get plenty of rumble and crackle from the exhaust when you switch to lairy dynamic mode, and the note at the higher end of the rev range is still sublime.

You can just tell that the power from that 575PS supercharged V8 comes from a place of substance. It’s delivered swiftly as you apply pressure to throttle, and continues to arrive as you would expect through the revs. It feels wonderfully smooth and utterly predictable, which is much appreciated when you’re picking up speed at quite such a rate. Acceleration is sharp, but strangely comfortable considering 0-62mph takes just 3.5 seconds. The all-wheel-drive system helps to deliver the power calmly and consistently, which perfectly complements this car’s overarching style.

The F-Type R hits its sweet spot right down the middle. The basic ‘Comfort’ mode is all you’ll need 90 per cent of the time because it’s just so smooth. The ride is sublime, although you get a reasonable amount of road noise in the cabin. You also lose out on some feel from the throttle and steering, particularly the steering, which is a little vague and doesn’t feel entirely connected to the road – it can take a couple of stabs to get the turn in right if you’re travelling at higher speeds.

If you’re looking for a little more intensity and response from your inputs you can switch into ‘Dynamic’ mode which takes the softness away and firms everything up. The ride stiffens up for a more lively and compelling drive, but actually, in most scenarios, it takes it a step too far, and the result is an almost constant barrage from any and all imperfections in the road.

You get the feeling this would be put to best use on a track. The trade-off, however, is one that might well encourage you to put up with the loss of comfort, because the steering becomes far more engaging, with better weight and a direct feel between your hands, the front wheels and the road.

It's worth mentioning that ‘Eco’ mode also exists, but the majority of your driving, i.e. probably all of it, will be split between the other two options, and what spectacular options they are.

Jaguar may well refer to the F-Type as a sportscar, but it makes far more sense to think of this endlessly stylish coupe as more of a grand tourer, especially in this most powerful P575 form. The interior is surprisingly spacious, with acres of legroom for the passenger and more than enough space to keep comfortable if you’re the lucky one driving. When combined with the sublime ride, this interior is a genuinely comfortable and luxurious place to sit.

The slimline leather sports seats are comfortable, supportive and electrically adjustable with lumbar support, heating and ventilation. Leather dominates the entirety of the cabin. It’s swathed over the dashboard, doors and touchpoints.

Headroom is limited by the inclusion of the panoramic roof, it’s not catastrophic, but anyone in excess of six feet in height will probably prefer to do without. It’s a great addition though if you are able to fit underneath it.

Along with the adjustable seats, the F-Type R comes equipped with a 12-speaker Meridian sound system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.

Other interesting features include the air vents that rise up from the dashboard when you switch on the climate control, while the switch to wake up the active exhaust is likely to be the most used button in the car.

The infotainment system doesn’t feel as dated as I thought it might. The 2019 facelift went a long way to ensuring the F-Type remained up to date, you have all of the modern features you might expect, and the software feels smooth and responsive. Any worries that this might feel like a ten-year-old car can be tucked away.

In many ways, the Jaguar F-Type R still feels like it was designed yesterday. It’s brilliantly capable, packing a spectacular V8 engine that delivers performance to burn. It’s a car that is almost certainly set up for touring, with a sumptuous ride and comfortable cabin that will continue to feel special regardless of how many hours you spend on the road.

There are very few cars on the road that offer such a ridiculous blend of sight and sound. That V8 has definitely lost some of its original flair, but there is still plenty to love about that guttural noise. There is no doubt the F-Type will remain a hugely popular and sought-after car long after it finally leaves the market.