Jaguar F-Type V8 RWD production ends

There are plenty of reasons to love rear-wheel drive cars. But when it came to a Jaguar F-Type with a V8 engine, one stood out from the rest.

Packing a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 with 405kW and 680Nm it could turn tyres into smoke with just one look.

Sadly, though, after next month the F-Type won’t be able to perform that party trick, with the skid-monster dropped from incoming 2018 model year range.

Jaguar has installed the F-Type 400 in its place. But with a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 producing 294kW and 460Nm it just won’t be the same.

During its time in Aussie showrooms, Jaguar’s sold 155 rear-drive V8 F-Types. Making up 20 per cent of the total 717 units sold since its release. Which is a decent chunk. However, it was the only variant available for some time.

We've haven't been given a clear reason on why this has happened. That said, it’s probably for the best.

Even though the R channelled its godly grunt through an electro-controlled clutch-differential, you never stabbed the F-Type V8 R’s throttle pedal. Unless you liked looking out the side windows to drive.

The coupe body’s extra stiffness calmed things down, but it was still a car that demanded respect on the limit. But once used to its controls (and a noise Satan probably used as his text ringtone) the F Type Coupe R V8 was an absolute treat.

We loved its balanced chassis. Which managed to be both communicative and progressive. One judge during 2014's Performance Car of the Year likened it to a BMW V8 M3. Just with a whole lot more power.

It ended up placing third out of 10 cars at our blue riband event. Against the stopwatch it managed to hit 100km/h in 3.99 seconds, cover 400m in 11.99sec, and lap Winton Raceway’s old surface in one minute and 37.5 seconds.

Thankfully, it’s not a total loss. Jaguar’s demonic 5.0-litre supercharged V8 lives on in R and SVR all-wheel drive variants. But while tyres everywhere are safer, the world is a little sadder.