The last is still AWESOME

THE LAST SUPERCHARGED V8 F-TYPE R CONVERTIBLE ON UAR AUSTRALIA’S PRESS FLEET. IT'S HARD TO SAY GOODBYE.

- LES. HUGHES

IT IS A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO COMPREHEND THAT THE ERA OF Jaguar’s howling V8 F-TYPE AWD Convertible is almost at an end. When Jaguar Australia’s James Scrimshaw asked if we would like to report on the last Convertible he would ever have on the press fleet we said ‘yes’, of course, but were shocked that the end of these spectacular sounding, and looking, Jaguars was in plain sight.It needs to be recalled though Jaguar Land Rover announced some years ago that by the end of 2020 all models would be available as either fully electric or an electric hybrid - but don't fret. The supercharged V8 Coupé remains. Jaguar Australia's James Scrimshaw explains. "There will be no more F-TYPE R AWD Convertibles as of the model-driven here. This is an Australia only decision, but the 2021 Model Year F-TYPE R AWD Coupé is available in Australia. It produces a whopping 423kW - the same as per the 2020 Model Year F-TYPE SVR! There is no SVR F-TYPE as of the 2020 model, but instead the 2021 F-TYPE R AWD Coupé is more hardcore. It is closer to the 2020 F-TYPE SVR in spec, apart from the big rear spoiler."

We are all familiar with the F-TYPE which comes with everything including an appealing four-cylinder variant, so exactly what does this R Convertible bring to the party to make this car a civilised beast? More power alone won’t cut it with the discerning collector, they want a little fairy dust such as bespoke materials, a different sound system and more.

The supercharged 5.0 litre V8 develops 420kW (564bhp) and 516lb ft of torque, the latter figure is too much for a manual transmission. That is why it’s mated to an eight-speed auto gearbox. It’s enough to give this F-TYPE supercar territory performance figures.