Jaguar F-Type V6

the convertible Jaguar FType struts its stuff with the aplomb of a newborn star.

As the long-awaited successor to the iconic E-Type and the first proper sports car from Jaguar in more than 50 years, it manages to look sensational and modern with a nod to the past.

Sculpted out of aluminium to keep the weight down, while somehow remaining as strong as if it were made with a conventional steel structure, it sticks with a fabric roof to not only save a few more kilograms but also avoid design compromises.

Taking inspiration from the C-X16 concept unveiled in 2011, the front of the F-Type features a new interpretation of the bold angular Jaguar grille from which flows the muscular clamshell bonnet with its signature power bulge.

It’s a strict two-seater, and while the boot will accommodate weekend luggage, it will really struggle with a full-blown supermarket shop. Surprisingly, the boot also accommodates the windscreen washer bottle.

Press a button on the key fob and not only do the LED daytime running lights spring to life, but the flushfitting door handles pop out. And your heart misses a beat.

You drop into the driver’s seat rather than slide behind the wheel and take in the luxurious cabin. It’s snug but not cramped, and features a thick leather-covered – and heated – steering wheel. A row of straightforward switches, the familiar Jaguar touch-screen and neat new climate controls complete the job.

There’s a grab handle sweeping down the centre console on the passenger side, delineating it from the driver's position as well as providing comfort for those passengers sitting alongside an enthusiastic driver.

The joystick-like gearlever encourages you to ‘fire’ it when selecting Drive by pulling down and at this point you are enveloped in a cacophony of exhaust roar.

That’s the thing about the F-Type, you don’t only drive it, you listen with a big smile on your face as the engine note rises and falls with the gear changes, settling to a purr in the highest gear and waklng up the neighbours at start-up.

You can even add to the aural gymnastics by plumping for the active exhaust system at a hefty £1,630 to bring an artificial exaggeration to the experience.

The three-model range comprises the F-Type V6 (tested here), F-Type V6S and the top V8S. But there’s no such thing as an ‘entry-level’ model here. The only thing telling them apart is a discreet badge front and rear plus quad exhaust pipes on the V8S.

The list of standard equipment for the V6 includes 18-inch alloy wheels, deployable rear spoiler, automatic climate control, DAB radio and six-speaker sound system, Bluetooth connectivity, a navigation system, rear parking aid, intelligent start/stop, keyless start, emergency brake assist and twin exhaust pipes centrally mounted.

The hood, which can be fully raised or lowered in 12 seconds at speeds of up to 30mph, features a thick lining for optimal thermal and sound insulation.

The steering is quick and accurate, but smooth, and the ride quality is immediately impressive on all but the roughest of surfaces. Left to its own devices, the eight-speed automatic shifts quickly and smoothly and you can surf along on the generous torque.

It’s sporty, but it’s still a Jaguar, and it will simply waft you from A to B if you don’t want to play. But you will want to explore its potential and increase the pace and you have a choice in how you go about this. A simple squeeze of the accelerator releases another dollop of torque, while the gearbox will shift down if required, but ideally you’ll finger the switch to put it into Dynamic mode.

Depending on the model, this opens up the exhaust, sharpens throttle and gearbox response, stiffens the suspension and reduces assistance to the steering.

The most dramatic change comes in that noise from the exhaust.

Squeeze the accelerator hard and you get a sophisticated but vocal rasp, and when you back off there’s half a dozen loud crackles too. You’ll do it on purpose just to hear it over and over.

Smooth and effortless though it is, the F-Type really shines when pressing on. The surety of its responses instils plenty of confidence, and as you start to push it harder through challenging bends it just keeps on gripping, staying flat and controlled whatever the surface is doing.

It’s unquestionably fast too. The FType V6 engine produces 335bhp and shoots from 0 to 62mph in 5.1 seconds, and without sampling the more powerful versions, I reckon that’s plenty. Step up to the 3.0-litre V6 S and you gain 40bhp 375 bhp, while the and 5.0 V8 comes with 488 bhp, a 0-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds and a 186 mph top speed.

With eight gears to flick through the supercharged V6 spins up quickly and always has torque to spare.

Jaguar has delivered a remarkable car that has both looks and performance and rides beautifully.

I can only imagine what the V8 version must be like to drive, but the V6 should satisfy all but the most demanding of supercar drivers.

JAGUAR F-TYPE V6

PRICE: £58,520

ENGINE: 3.0-litre petrol unit producing 335bhp

TRANSMISSION: eight-speed automatic driving the rear wheels

PERFORMANCE: top speed 161mph, 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds

ECONOMY: 31.4mpg combined

CO2 RATING: 209g/km