2024 Jaguar F-Type R75 Convertible Is a Last Gasp for Gas

From the March/April 2024 issue of Car and Driver.

It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to the Jaguar F-type. The company will end production of the F-type in 2024 and lay it to rest in its native England. Cause of death: electrification—more specifically, Jaguar's impending switch to an all-electric lineup. The F-type leaves behind red-blooded driving enthusiasts who already face a dearth of V-8–powered sports cars.

Few of them sound as good as the F-type, with its supercharged 5.0-liter. A hair-raising exhaust note has been the Jag's trademark from the get-go. It's now devoid of theatrical crackles and pops on overrun, but wide-open throttle still unleashes an intoxicating 90-decibel roar.

Freshened just once over a decade, the F-type's timeless design still makes our knees weak. The long hood, wide hips, and two-seat cockpit are classic traits dating to the 1949 XK120. To celebrate 75 years of sports cars, Jaguar created the 75 Edition (along with a new ZP Edition) for the F-type's final run. And to pay our respects, we summoned a 575-hp R75 roadster for a final drive.

Along with exclusive visual bits and additional standard features, the F-type R75 has revised upper ball joints and cast-aluminum rear knuckles with larger wheel bearings aimed at improving steering feel. On the street, the high-fidelity steering provided progressive effort buildup through turns and faithfully communicated road surfaces. Things did get twitchy on broken pavement, and the R75 also tramlined in grooves.