In etymology, philia is an ancient Greek
word for love. These days it’s a suffix indicating an abnormal liking for
something. Put Jaguar’s striking new F-Type and Audi’s R8 Spyder on the same
stage and it’s easy to see how anyone would develop an abnormally large liking
for either.
Body armour
As soon as you see either of these
beautiful creatures, consider yourself bitten, with the venom instilling an
infectious desire that lingers long after both have disappeared into the
distance. The R8 has been around since 2006, but it’s no has-been – avant-garde
lines, classic mid-engined proportions and newly applied all-LED head- and
tail-light treatment see to that. Where the R8 is all smooth and sleek, the
F-Type counters with flexed muscularity. Its long bonnet and bulging haunches
suggest a big cat ready to pounce. And big it is. While not especially long at
4.47m, its 1.93m width provides serious rear-view mirror presence.
The
Jaguar F-type is as good to drive as it is to behold
Beneath the rivets
Roadsters are all about that top-down
motoring and the freedom that projects. With everything on view, it’s important
they look great inside, too. Age and familiarity has taken a bit of the initial
glow off the R8’s cabin. It’s hard to shine in a family where even the little
A1 has such a great interior. Quality is still evident throughout the R8’s
leather, Alcantara and satin metallic-laden cockpit and the ergonomics and
comfort are top-drawer. Does it lack a sense of occasion? Maybe a little. Being
newer, the Jaguar has a head start, and it’s clear a lot of creative thought
went into the details – the start button pulses, mimicking a heartbeat, the air
vents rise theatrically when required and there’s an aviation-like toggle
switch for Normal/ All Weather/Race mode selection. Gear selection is by lever
as opposed to the dial you find in other Jags, and the touches of copper
signifying important drive bits are a visual delight. It’s attractive,
comfortable and quality appears comparable to the Audi. Is it special enough?
Perhaps not for some in standard trim, but then both cars feature extensive
personalisation options allowing you to tailor an interior according to your
taste and the thickness of your wallet.
Offering
a level of refinement, ride quality and aesthetic charm of a luxury contender,
the Audi R8 V10 sets a benchmark rivals can’t currently match
Scud missiles
I start the F-Type with the roof up. In the
confines of our multi-story parking lot’s low-ceiling I feel like I’m enveloped
in a crashing wave of bellowing V8 glory. Surroundings thoroughly checked
(visibility isn’t great in the F-Type with its high shoulder line and small
rear window), I set off. City traffic is easy to negotiate, the F-Type
delivering liquid smooth low-speed performance. The ride is less fluid, so you
feel the bumps through your spine and gooseflesh-riddled arms, but as I’m soon
to discover, that pays off when you find an empty piece of winding Tarmac.
The
F-Type’s cabin is snug, but offers the premium feel befitting the premium price
tag
The F-Type does not disappoint – it’s loud,
guttural, visceral to drive. It delivers in every way on the image it portrays.
It makes you feel part of the mechanical process as you hammer it through a
pass, but there is a nervous anticipation that tests one’s confidence to the
limit. Not because of an inferior suite of electronic safety aids, the Jag is
comprehensively equipped in this regard, but the animal urge of the power delivery
and the growl that is that much wilder. Engage Race mode and that feeling grows
stronger. But along with firmer steering, sharper throttle response and an
opening of valves in the quad exhaust pipes that delivers an even more
aggressive orchestral roar, your desire for this car grows too.
The
Audi R8 V8 Spyder’s cabin is beautifully finished and nicely laid out
It’s a desire to know this beast
intimately, know just how far you can push it, know when you need to dial back
your enthusiasm as well as know what it has in reserve. And reserves it has:
the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 up front delivers 364kW and 625Nm – enough to get
it to 100kph in 4.3 seconds according to our tests.
A fantastic eight–speed auto ’box sends
power to the rear wheels, providing proof that even in the realm of modern
sports cars, you don’t need a double-clutch cog-swapper when you have a torque
converting auto this responsive. On the dynamic front the Jag features an
independent double-wishbone suspension set-up front and rear and the chassis
feels taut and flat through the corners.
