Is the new 2020 Jaguar F-Type V8 R just a face lifted version of the F-Type that was released in 2013? Jaguar have stuck with the previous silhouette but added new rear light clusters & rear bumper, new wider wheels and tyres. With the V8 you also get the familiar quad exhaust tips.

The main noticeable changes are to the front with the bigger grill, new air intakes and new thinner headlights. The five-litre supercharged V8 moves this Jaguar from 0-100km/h in 3.5 seconds with a top speed of almost 300 km/h. The supercharged V8 produces 575hp & 700nm of torque which is better than the previous 680nm of torque.

The gearbox has always been good, but now uses the same calibrations as the Jaguar SV Project 8, so it shifts faster. The best bit about the Jaguar F-Type V8 R though is the exhaust note, the bangs and crackles alone make it a joy to drive. Although Jaguar say they have toned it down a little from the previous generation. I always thought the Maserati Gran Turismo sounded good; this new F-Type could be the new champion in this department. But if you want the quiet early morning start up, to save dealing with your neighbours, Jaguar have an exhaust button for this scenario and for whilst driving.

Inside the F-Type it’s almost the same familiar layout, but now with some better materials, better sports seats on the ‘R’ model and the new and improved technology including a new big digital instrument cluster with a map feature. Also, the new central infotainment system is bigger and clearer and supports Apple Car Play.

The new Jaguar is not a track car, it’s a GT car that’s been designed for those spirited drives on the windy roads and those long-distance drives. Its newly updated chassis & updated suspension dampers give you a softer ride at the front and firmer at the rear. This helps those wider rear tyres produce more grip to push you around the corners in a more confident inspiring way. The new F-Type also has the option to be specified with carbon ceramic brakes, which I think would be a good option to have on this fast GT car.

So, in conclusion Jaguar have fine tuned the already great F-Type into a more defined car, keeping the good elements like the gearbox and tweaking the other parts to bring it up to speed for 2020.