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500 horsepower Jaguar F-Type V8 is a brutal beauty (pictures)

The 2014 Jaguar F-Type is easily one of the most beautiful rides to pass though the Car Tech garage.

Antuan Goodwin
Antuan Goodwin gained his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. From drivetrain tech and electrification to car audio installs and cabin tech, if it's on wheels, Antuan is knowledgeable.
Antuan Goodwin
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1 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET
The 2014 Jaguar F-Type is easily one of the most beautiful rides to pass though the Car Tech garage.
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2 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

Concept car for the road

Based on the C-X16 concept, the F-Type somehow manages to retain nearly all of the design touches that made the concept coupe beautiful. However, the concept's hybrid power train didn't make the cut.
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Front fascia

A large central grill opening is flanked by smaller gill-like intakes. Below it, a black aerodynamic splitter keeps the front end planted at speed. Optional active headlamps steer into corners at night and automatically disable their high beams when oncoming traffic is detected.
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Jaguar's snout

The front end is evocative of Jaguar's other sports coupe/convertible, the Jaguar XK. Some observers criticized it for looking a bit like a catfish, but I think it's gorgeous.
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20-inch Cyclone Wheels

The F-Type comes standard with 18-inch wheels, but our V8 S model rolled on 20-inch Cyclone Wheels with a silver finish. Inside, you'll spy the Jaguar Super Performance Braking System, the largest stoppers available on the F-Type.
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5.0L Supercharged V8

A supercharged V6 is standard, but we were fortunate enough to be able to test the top-spec, 5.0-liter supercharged V8. Power is rated at 495 horses with 460 pound-feet of torque on tap.
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Eight-speed ZF transmission

Regardless of engine, the torque is multiplied by an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission with Sport and manual shift programs. Paddle shifters are standard; on S models, they're copper-colored to match the Engine Start button and Drive Mode Selector.
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Drive Mode Selector

The copper Drive Mode Selector allows drivers to quickly put the F-Type into its most aggressive Dynamic setting with the pull of a switch. Suspension, steering, throttle response, and engine output are all sharpened. There's also a Snow mode that increases traction in wet or slick conditions.
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My Dynamic mode customization

An optional package unlocks the ability to customize the Dynamic mode to meet their needs. Want hardcore engine and throttle response, but a softer suspension setting? How about more power, but casual shifting? "My Dynamic" is where you'll set it.
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Motorized spoiler

At speeds above 60 mph, a motorized spoiler pops out of the rear deck to reduce lift on the rear end and increase stability for the roadster.
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Hide-away door handles

In addition to the motorized spoiler and top, the Jaguar's door handles and climate control vents are also motorized, hiding away when not in use for a smooth appearance.
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F-Type's cockpit

Many thousands of dollars worth of Premium Leather and Color Seats packages make the Jaguar's cabin a pleasant place to be. Even without these touches, the cockpit is intuitively laid-out and comfortable for the driver.
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Climate controls

Automatic climate controls and heated seats are optional. Rather than making the driver access a menu, Jaguar cleverly integrates all of the controls into just three dials with central LCDs that can be tapped to activate the seat heaters.
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Touch-screen navigation

Tech isn't this roadster's strongest point -- at least, dashboard tech isn't. The Jaguar navigation system is serviceable, but you'll find better infotainment in a Hyundai Veloster, which is a bit of a shame for a vehicle in this price range, with the BMW Z4 roadster breathing down its neck.
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Active Sport Exhaust

Tap a button on the center console and an internal valve opens, bypassing part of the exhaust's silencer and freeing up exhaust flow. The result is a remarkably louder exhaust note during acceleration, a satisfying burble while idling, and racecar-like popping and barking during downshifts.
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Drop top

Designed as a roadster from the ground up, the Jaguar's fabric roof hides away in seconds at the touch of a button and keeps weight down versus a hard top.
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Rear end

Unlike a hard top, the fabric roof doesn't take up any space in the F-Type's trunk. This is good, because there's not much to begin with.
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Top up

We didn't spend muct time with the top up, but the multilayer roof does a good job of silencing road and wind noise at speed.
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Sticker shock

There's a lot to love about this brash and brutal beauty, but with a starting price of $92,000, the F-Type V8 S had us doing sticker shocked double takes. As tested, our example cleared $102,000, putting it into 911 Carerra Cabriolet territory.
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Is it too expensive?

I'd guess that most drivers will find more value to match their thrills by choosing one of the V6 models, which still output 340 or 380 horsepower depending on the trim level. Even then, a Porsche Boxster or BMW Z4 are both much less expensive. Neither looks this good, though.
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2014 Jaguar F-Type V8 S

Check out CNET's full review of the 2014 Jaguar F-Type V8 S.

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