BRITISH BEAST: There’s something special for many in driving a British car. Jaguar’s latest version of their F-PACE AWD SUV is testament that the Brits can still build high end popular cars to rival any manufacturer in the world.
That said, ironically the first impressions are, well, frankly very German. The feel is tight and precise, the build quality high and the largely aluminium body structure is a salute to Land Rover’s enduring engineering heritage.
The 2021 Jaguar F-PACE R-Dynamic S P250 is a joy to drive and has gained a real following in its homeland and abroad, with online chat groups raving about how ideal the car is as an everyday driver, balancing space without sacrificing driving dynamics.
The exterior is a subtle, shark like look with a nice blend of bulges and sharp angles that makes it undoubtedly one of the best looking cars in its class as well.
Powering our test vehicle was a remarkable turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine that has a low down pull like a diesel, ably assisted by spritely 8-speed automatic gearbox. A published 7.8-litres/100km equated to 8.8-litres/100km in real world conditions.
The easily engaged Sport mode makes the engine more spiteful and brings up an odometer on the head-up display. There’s a lot to love about its more aggressive nature, but it will certainly increase fuel usage along the way.
The fly-by-wire gear select system takes a little getting used to, but is a much more natural experience than the previous model’s rotary gear selector. Road lighting is a strong point too, making night driving a pleasurable experience.
David Abrahams
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Our test vehicle was provided by Jaguar Australia. To find out more about the 2021 Jaguar F-PACE R-Dynamic S P250, contact your local Jaguar dealer.