Jaguar F-Type Coupe S

It looks looks sensational whatever colour you choose, bringing with it an aura of anticipation.

Sculpted out of aluminium to keep the weight down, the data tells you this is a car with potentially ferocious performance, no matter whether you go for coupé or convertible or V6, V6S or V8 petrol engine.

Approach the door, press a button to pop out the flush-fitting door handle and drop into the driver’s seat. It’s snug but not cramped, and aside from the button-covered steering wheel the cabin is quite simple yet simply gorgeous. A row of straightforward switches, the familiar Jag touch-screen and neat new climate controls complete the job. The joystick-like gear lever encourages you to “fire” it when selecting Drive by pushing the trigger-like button.

Since the introduction of the XF saloon, Jaguar has become quite theatrical in its approach to cabin design and much the better for it.

Jaguar recently offered me the chance to drive two examples - the V8S Convertible and V6 Coupé - in the North Yorkshire countryside.

First up was the convertible, featuring a fabric roof that rises or lowers in 12 seconds and does not impinge on the design compromises. It’s a strict two-seater and the boot is very modest.

Quad exhaust pipes are key to identifying the V8S, which fires up with aural gusto to get you in the mood for a spirited ride.

Set off in the standard V6 and there’s an instant feeling of “rightness2. The steering is quick and accurate but smooth, the ride quality is immediately impressive while remaining in firm touch with the road. Left to its own devices the eight-speed automatic shifts quickly and smoothly and you can surf along on the generous torque.

It won’t be long before you want to up the pace and you have a choice in how you go about this. A simple squeeze of the accelerator releases another chunk 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 the noise from the exhaust. Squeeze the accelerator hard and you get a sophisticated but vocal rasp, and when you back off you do so with an accompaniment of crackles that encourages you to do it again 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 deals with broken surfaces remarkably well, but you can tweak all the individual Dynamic settings and soften the suspension again if desired. Even if you don’t, it’s never harsh.

It’s unquestionably fast too. The F-Type starts with 335bhp and that seems plenty. With eight gears to flick through the supercharged V6 spins up quickly and always has torque to spare. But if you can spare the extra cash the 375bhp of the V6S is awesome. On the other hand, the V8S is a monster; the chassis is more than capable of coping with almost 490bhp, and the resulting acceleration, speed and noise make for a most compelling performance.

Jaguar has delivered a truly superb car - an E-Type for the 21st century, perhaps.

The all-petrol line-up consists of a base 3.0-litre V6 with 340 horsepower, a beefier ‘S’ with 380 horsepower plus the flagship 5.0-litre V8 ‘R’ bruiser with 550 horsepower. All three come with a smooth-shifting eight-speed auto gearbox offering a manual mode and paddle shifters.

The F-Type Coupé is as bold as the Convertible from the front, thanks to its aggressively-styled nose, but the real drama happens towards the back. With its streamlined profile and sloping “fastback” tail, there’s a huge nod to the E-Type if you include the car’s wide, muscular haunches.

You don’t buy a two-seat coupé to shift flatpack furniture, but if you do need some space the F-Type Coupe’s hatchback layout gives you ample room for shopping, golf bags or a few large soft bags.

Jaguar hopes it can attract a new generation of younger buyers to the brand with the F-Type, and keen drivers will love the car for its playful abilities.

At a glance

Jaguar F-Type Coupe S, £60,235

Engine: 3.0-litre petrol unit producing 380bhp and 339lb/ft of torque

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic driving the rear wheels

Performance: Top speed 171mph, 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds

Economy: 31.0mpg combined

Emissions: 213g/km of CO2