I just purchased a manual 2016 F-Type S after having a 2015 R for a couple years. I was thinking it would be a more engaging experience compared to the auto in the R, and I suppose it is.

However, after driving it a handful of times the last couple weeks, the gearing / gear ratios seem incredibly short. 1st gear is almost non-existent and you need to be in 6th gear if you’re going over 60 unless you want to be cruising at 3k+ RPM. And at highway speeds (70-75) you’re close to 3k RPM in 6th.

It just seems very bizarre and the opposite problem of a 911. Sadly, it makes for a somewhat unpleasant experience and already has me considering going back to the R.

Anyone else with a manual have a similar experience?

 

I have the S, but with auto. I saw in the specs that the auto is quicker than the manual in acceleration - opposite of how things used to be years ago !

 

But if the manual is lower geared it should improve acceleration, just adversely affect top speed. Maybe ZF just shifts quicker ....

 

Not sure it is lower geared, with the auto having an 8 speed box and the manual a 6. And yes, shifting is quicker I bet.
The Jaguar brochure shows the auto as being half a second quicker to 60 mph - that's a lot! Top speed is shown as the same.

 

I have an E-Pace auto, of course, and the F-type manual. Yes the F-type revs at a much higher RPM than the 4 cyl E-Pace. I had a 2003 S-type 5 speed that did the same thing, rev at 3K at 75mph or so. I was hoping the 6 speed would be more 'efficient', but no. At least, I don't have to be critical of the mediocre sound system since I can't hear it on the highway. (I do remember the S-type stereo was actually quite good!) I also ignore the upshift recommendations and generally shift later.

 

The S-type has a better cabin to allow the sound system to "breathe".

 

It sounds like you're just used to having 8 gears.
If you don't like short gears then manual probably isn't for you. The whole point is that you get to shift.

Funny enough I figure the lower gears are a bit too tall. If I'm in the power band in 3rd then I'm breaking the law, usually by quite a bit (hypothetically speaking, of course).
I want to be under 3k only when I'm cruising. Otherwise I want the cat crouched and ready to pounce.
Incidentally, I just got off the highway (grocery run); holding steady at 110 km/h (~68 mph) had me around 2.5k rpm. Pretty light work.

I find the gearing to be just right for a sweepy scenic secondary highway featuring some medium-tight twisty bits. We have a few of those here in BC and this car is magic on them.
Something kind of like this: (though the road does look great, I think the title gets ahead of itself -- these guys just need to get out more).

Anyway, a fleeting search produced this:

Manual, approx max speed in each gear:
1st= 40mph
2nd= 71mph
3rd= 107mph
4th= 139mph

Auto:
1st: 35mph
2nd: 52mph
3rd: 78mph
4th: 98mph

And also this:

Manual
First Gear Ratio (:1) 4.11
Second Gear Ratio (:1) 2.32
Third Gear Ratio (:1) 1.54
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1) 1.18
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1) 1.00
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1) 0.85

Auto
Transmission gear ratio (1st) 4.71
Transmission gear ratio (2nd) 3.14
Transmission gear ratio (3rd) 2.11
Transmission gear ratio (4th) 1.67
Transmission gear ratio (5th) 1.29
Transmission gear ratio (6th) 1.00
Transmission gear ratio (7th) .84
Transmission gear ratio (8th) .67

 

My F-Type is an auto, but I've driven the manual. (I considered buying one, but didn't like the feel of the clutch - that was before they fixed the original version.)

Anyway, I felt that the gearing was fine. I prefer to be in the power band at a reasonable speed. What's the point of still being in 1st at 60mph? Plus, it gives you more power at launch. You can always hold the top-end speed with the ratio on 6th and making it more of an overdrive.

My VR4 might be on the extreme side. You're lucky to get the clutch out in 1st before it's time to shift. Of course, the turbo mods and Apexi accentuate the effect.