Like hummingbirds to Nectar
The 2022 Jaguar F-Type P450 Convertible swathed in Caldera Red arrived in my driveway, and so did the neighbors. Their arms were stretched open like a hummingbird swooping onto the red feeder full of nectar. I am reminded that hummingbirds can fly backward as I watch my neighbor go toward the red convertible, swoop back, ducking her head down underneath the grille taking in the sweetness of the design.
I didn’t mind Robbie coming to look at the sports car. She owns a Mercedes SLK hardtop convertible, and the only other sports car she looked at was the Jaguar. Robbie likes a hardtop convertible more than a soft-top. She worries that in this day and time, someone will just go by and slash the soft-top, “people don’t need a reason to be nasty.”
The Jaguar F-Type is a two-door, two-seater grand tourer manufactured by British luxury car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) under their Jaguar Cars marque since 2013.
The F-TYPE is Jaguar’s flagship sports car, and Jaguar has added the F-TYPE P450 to form an all-V8 lineup. Gone are the turbocharged four-cylinder supercharged 6-cylinder engines. The F-Type comes in two configurations: the F-TYPE P450 that makes 444 horsepower with a maximum torque of 428 lb-ft. being generated from just 2,500 rpm or the F-TYPE R with 575 horsepower. The F-TYPE can be ordered as a coupe or convertible in P450 RWD, or P450 R-DYNAMIC AWD trims. I drove the P450 V-8 rear-wheel-drive convertible.
JLR’s 5.0-liter V-8, code-named the AJ, is built on an independent line at a Ford engine plant in Bridgend, United Kingdom. The 5.0-liter V-8 is in multiple JLR products, including Range Rovers.
Jaguar says it has a Quiet Start feature which makes me do the ironic smile. One of the reasons I would buy the P450 is for the sweet sounds of the engine. I would definitely want the convertible so that I could more of the burble from the exhaust. You can override the Quiet Start by selecting Dynamic Mode or by pressing the switchable exhaust button before starting the engine.
The standard features of the Jaguar F-TYPE P450 include a 5.0 liter V-8 444 horsepower inter-cooled supercharged engine 8-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. Safety and technology include 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), integrated navigation system, side seat mounted airbags, curtain 1st row overhead airbag, airbag occupancy sensor, automatic air conditioning, 20-inch aluminum wheels, cruise control, and driveline traction control.
The 2022 Jaguar F-Type P450 is the perfect balance between sport and luxury, combining 12-way heated and cooled seats, perfect whether the top is down in the winter or summer. The Jaguar’s powerplant sits in the front rather than behind or mid-engine. The engine placement gives the F-type the proportions needed to create an altogether different driving experience.
The competitors include the mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette, Porsche 718 Boxster, Porsche 718 Cayman, Audi, BMW, and even a Chevy Camaro ZL1.
The convertible takes less than thirty-five seconds to put down and up, as witnessed by my friend that looks remarkably like a younger Maye Musk (yes, Elon’s Mom).
What’s New for 2022 Jaguar?
- The P450 R-Dynamic adds all-wheel drive, black exterior trim, and a different set of wheels. The F-type is solely available with a V-8 engine under the hood.
- The new P450 comes standard as a rear-wheel drive, while the higher-performance R variant is all-wheel drive.
- New for 22 are the 20-inch wheels, larger rear brakes, Configurable Dynamics, and an active exhaust system.
The P450 I drove started at $73,000. Add in the options below with a destination charge of $1150, and the out-the-door price is $84,350.
Interior Luxury Pack
Illuminated Metal Treadplates w/Jaguar Script
Extended Leather Upgrade
Premium Cabin Lighting
Blind Spot Assist Package
Blind Spot Assist
Rear Traffic Monitor
12-Way Heated and Cooled Front Seats
Ebony Windsor Leather Performance Seats
Black Exterior Pack
Meridian Surround Sound System (770W)
Beige Fully Electric Convertible Roof
Red Brake Calipers
Keyless Entry
Auto-Dimming, Power Fold, Heated Door Mirrors w/Memory
Air Quality Sensor
Electrically Adjustable Steering Column w/Memory
Delta Aluminum Center Console
Caldera Red Paint
2022 Jaguar F-Type models and prices:
2022 Jaguar F-Type P450 RWD Coupe
$69,900
2022 Jaguar F-Type P450 RWD V-8Convertible
$73,000
2022 Jagua F-TYPE R Coupe
$103,200
2022 Jaguar F-Type P450 RWD Convertible specs:
Horsepower: 444 horsepower
Engine: 5.0-liter V-8
MPG: 17 city / 24 highway/ 19 combined
Curb weight: 3,760 to 3,785 lbs
Tire size: Front: P255/35R20, rear: P295/30R20
Whether you’re Robbie looking at the car’s design or Angie out for a day of driving with the top down, this little red delight made everyone smile. It made us feel like we had the versatility of a hummingbird willing to fly towards the sweet nectar. It made all of us forget that we have been living in a pandemic for a few minutes, and that is worth every penny.
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