Base Versus Loaded: 2014 Jaguar F-Type

One of the most highly anticipated cars of the year, Jaguar’s new F-Type marks the brand’s return to the high-performance roadster segment. We’ll be driving the F-Type at the end of July, but figured we’d do some research on the wide-ranging prices of the newest Jag.

 

The F-Type will be available with a pair of engines. A supercharged, 3.0-liter V-6 in both 340- and 380-horsepower varieties covers the bottom and middle trims, while the top dog will be the F-Type V8 S, which boasts Jaguar/Land Rover’s excellent 5.0-liter, supercharged V-8 with a meaty 495 horsepower.

 

With a starting price of $69,000, the 340-horsepower F-Type offers more power than a Porsche Boxster S, while costing $6900 more. Sure, these two will probably balance each other out when you dive into the options catalog, but we’re left wondering if the extra 25 ponies afforded by the Jag are worth the increased price. In this instance, the Porsche seems like the obvious choice.

 

The decision becomes considerably more difficult when you throw your checkbook at the Jag’s options sheet. Fully loaded, with 495 horsepower and at $113,205, the F-Type V8 S is only $2405 more than an unequipped Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet. The Porsche is down 95 horsepower, but it’s also about 400 pounds lighter than the Jag. Still, the F-Type is .1 seconds faster to 60 than an auto-equipped, but otherwise barebones, 911 C2S Cabrio. So, which do you choose?

 

The straw poll at the Winding Road offices leaned toward the more powerful Jag, surprisingly. Given that decision, there are a few things we’d trim off of our F-Type, to make its price even more competitive. Naturally, we’d use the V8 S as our starting point, because a supercharged, 495-horsepower, two-seat convertible is our kind of car.

 

We’d pass on the shouty and expensive body kit and orange paint ($4500 all together), and opt for the classic, simple British Racing Green Metallic ($1500). The black, 20-inch Cyclone wheels look great, as well ($1000). In the cabin, we’d go with the $2950 Performance Pack, the $1925 Extended Leather Pack, and the $1500 performance leather seats, with an extra $350 for the camel-colored seatbelts. The last batch of goodies would be the $1200, 770-watt Meridian stereo, the $600 heated, flat-bottomed steering wheel, and the $450 Satellite/HD radio combo.

 

All told, we’d be shaving just over $9000 off the loaded F-Type’s price, for a total of $103,475. Add $875 for destination and handling, and we’d be cutting a check for $104,350. Not a terrible deal when you consider what other roadsters are available at this price point.

 

Price: $69,000 (Jaguar F-Type) + $875 (Destination) + $0 (Options) = $69,875

 

 

Price: $92,000 (Jaguar F-Type V8 S) + $875 (Destination) + $20,605 (Options) = $113,205

 

 

V8 S: $23,000

            -5.0-liter, supercharged V-8

            -20-inch wheels

            -Active Sport Exhaust

            -Jaguar Super Performance Brakes

            -Sport suspension with Adaptive Dynamics

            -Dynamic Mode

            -Electronic Active Differential

            -Dual-zone automatic climate control

            -14-way leather sport seats

            -Rear parking sensors

            -Auto-dimming exterior mirrors

            -Jaguar Smart Key System

            -Configurable ambient interior lighting with 5 color choices

            -Power-folding, heated exterior mirrors with integrated LED turn signals and puddle lamps

Exterior Design Pack With Black Pack: $3900

            -Body colored aero kit

            -Gloss black rear valence, grille surround, side power vent surround and mesh

Firesand Metallic paint: $600

20-inch Blade Wheel: $2500

Stone Grey Roof: $600

Premium Pack: $800

            -14-way adjustable front seats with driver-side memory

            -Jaguar Smart Key system

            -Dual zone climate control with air filtration

            -Programmable garage door opener

            -Valet mode and additional lockable storage

            -Wind deflector

-Climate Pack

                        -Heated seats

                        -Heated steering wheel

Vision Pack: $2100

            -Adaptive front lighting

            -Intelligent high beams

            -Front and rear parking aids with reverse camera and touchscreen guidance

            -Cross Traffic Alert

            -Blind Spot Monitoring

Performance Pack: $2950

            -Configurable Dynamic Mode

            -Performance style seating

            -Leather flat-bottomed Sport Steering Wheel with Ignis shift paddles

            -Interior Black Pack with metallic foot pedals and sport floor mats

            -Red brake calipers

            -Switchable Active Sport Exhaust

 Extended Leather Pack: $1925

            -Premium soft-grain leather seats, dashboard, door panels, leather console, A-pillars, headliner, and sun visors

Performance Seats in Premium Leather: $1500

Cirrus Grey carpets: $550

Camel Seatbelts: $350

Meridian 12-speaker, 770-watt surround sound system: $1200

Sport heated leather steering wheel – Flat bottom: $600

Heated windshield with timer: $350

Alloy space saver spare wheel: $380

Illuminated stainless steel tread plates: $450

HD Radio & Sirius Satellite Radio: $450