We pit the Jaguar-Type F-Type V8S against the corvette
stingray
When making a comparison test, one of the most important
ingredients seat time. Five laps of a track will tell you plenty, but 500 miles
behind the wheel will tell you far more. So we planned to maximize our time in
these two exotic sports cars, rising at 4am, meeting at 5.30 and chasing the
sunrise to the California coast. From there, we’d head North on the freeway
network, climb into the mountains, before finally watching the sun drop into
the Pacific. Returning home by 10.30pm, we put 500 miles on both cars and felt
as if they’d become friends.
On first sight, we
were spellbound by its taut lines and salivating at its performance potential
Inevitably, there were winners and losers, as well as
sunburn and dehydration. But mostly there were smiles and a new appreciation
for the automotive builder’s craft.
The test was initiated by the arrival of the Jaguar F-Type.
On first sight, we were spellbound by its taut lines and salivating at its
performance potential. Our First Drive review (EC9/13) indicated that it lived
up to the hype, although Alex felt the Jaguar wasn’t as finely tuned as the
Porsche 911 it was aimed at. So we decided to avoid that obvious comparison and
look into the left field – at the new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.
On the face of it, there was almost no comparison. The
Jaguar, the product of a low-volume British luxury carmaker, was priced way
beyond the Chevrolet. It would have to compete with the offspring of one of
Detroit’s Big Three; one of the largest car builders in the world. However, we
felt that buyers looking for driving fun, bold styling and ballsy V8 power
might consider both cars since there are some interesting parallels: both
companies are trading on past glory to create new excitement, each has gone for
classic V8 powerplants up front, with rear-wheel drive platforms to engage the
driving enthusiast.
Where these two differ is that one is considered rather
pricey and is aimed at a more exclusive audience, while the other is a
bargain-priced bluecollar sports car for the masses. Despite this, we decided
to give the F-Type what is perhaps its toughest challenge: Would it be good
enough to overcome the significant price difference?
Gulp
The C7 Corvette
with Z51 Package has an MSRP of $53,800
What’s the difference? The C7 Corvette with Z51 Package has
an MSRP of $53,800, while the F-Type tips the scales at a whopping $92,000.
That’s one hell of a chasm for any vehicle to overcome, but the Chevy has the
reputation as a brash upstart with poor manners and questionable build quality,
so how hard could it be?
What’s more, the specification of our test cars narrowed the
gap somewhat, with the Corvette reaching $68,375 as tested, while the F-Type
crept up to $104,770. So now the Brit only had to be $36,935 better! Piece of
cake…
The fly in the ointment was the Stingray’s rave reviews.
They didn’t completely overshadow the F-Type, but suggested the fight was going
to be intense. The aforementioned Z51 Package was a further problem since it
added uprated wheels, tires, brakes, cooling, gearing and aero.
We’ll admit that perhaps the Jaguar’s greatest asset was
that we wanted it to win. We often start these tests with a Euro bias (the clue
is in the name!), but always seek fair play in the end. Just to be sure, we
again enlisted the help of Motor Trend magazine’s Mike Febbo to provide some
balance, if needed.
Styling
This was going to be easy. Park the cars together and the
Jag wins. Next!
Hang on. Maybe it was the Vette’s Torch Red paintwork and
black Z51 wheels. Or maybe it was the elements of Ferrari 458 and Dodge Viper
styling, but the new C7 was turning heads. It was getting as much attention as
the F-Type, with its home court advantage definitely a factor.
It brings a
slightly juvenile aspect to an otherwise commendable update of the Corvette DNA
And while the front-end is generally successful, the
Corvette’s Transformer-style rear-end, with its “dripping mascara” tail light
surrounds, quad tailpipes and giant rear diffuser were less convincing. It
brings a slightly juvenile aspect to an otherwise commendable update of the
Corvette DNA, preventing it from being a home run.
The C7’s angularity was contrasted by the F-Type’s sinuous
curves that hypnotize the eyes. It’s a more sophisticated exterior that places
20" wheels firmly at each corner, with very little fat on the bone.
Dipped in Firesand Orange, with a Black Pack exterior trim
kit and matching Cyclone wheel upgrade, it was both menacing and elegant.
Unlike the enlarged Z51 rear spoiler on the Stingray, The
Jag’s discrete wing is invisible until you exceed 60mph, after which it rises
to add downforce. There’s a button to operate it if you’re vulgar, but you’d be
spoiling the Cat’s delicate design by keeping it erected.
The Jag’s hood dips down to make parking difficult, as does
the Vette’s. Although the Chevy’s forward view is dominated by the high fenders
that sweep up on either side of your vision, framing the road ahead and
creating an impressive vista.
In fact, the more time we spent with the two cars, the more
we were attracted to the C7. Much of it is wrong, yet somehow feels right,
especially in low light, where the Jaguar’s paint appeared slightly muddy in
comparison to the Little Red Corvette.
The Jag’s discrete
wing is invisible until you exceed 60mph, after which it rises to add downforce
Febbo muddied the water by suggesting, “The C7 is good
looking for a Corvette, while the F-Type isn’t as good as a Jag should be…” I’m
not sure that helped, because he’s reiterating that both fall slightly short,
yet each will attract attention quicker than a streaker on Main Street.
In many ways, the Jaguar may be too restrained for its own
good. It’s being politely British by not wanting to draw too much attention to
itself, but a car this good should perhaps be less reserved.
One thing in the F-Type’s favor was its electric convertible
roof, which operates in just 12sec at up to 30mph. It was vastly more
convenient than the Vette’s composite roof panel, which must be released and
stowed. Admittedly, it takes seconds to pull the catches, and the panel is
light enough for one person. The fully convertible Stingray will be a better
solution for open-top motoring.
The Jag’s hood
dips down to make parking difficult, as does the Vette’s
At the end of the day, the F-Type is an object of desire,
perfectly proportioned and exquisitely detailed. Whereas the Corvette is
flawed, yet charms you with its exuberance. As Febbo again stated, “The Jaguar
looks as if it was designed by an artist while the Corvette was penned by an
engineer with all its scoops and vents.”
The Corvette will probably look dated long before the F-Type
ever does. Time will judge which is the better design but our money is on the
Jag. However, the C7 could blossom once the uprated variants arrive…
