When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I saw a 400 Sport coupe and a Project 7 (a customer car) at the dealer today when getting my F-Type serviced, and spent a bit of time looking them over. I was like a kid in a candy shop.
Some observations I came away with from the 400 Sport (in random order):
1) The matt black plastic finish to the side sills, front splitter, side vents, etc, looked better in person than in photos. The front splitter does look a bit plasticy as it is so large, but less aftermarket body kit than I had thought.
2) The outer side vents in the front bumper (mentioned above) do not jump out as out of place. I like how they are still aligned with the line of the car on the V6's which looks so much cleaner than the single wider gills on the 2018 R/SVR.
3) The side/wing vents in matt look really good. Having the lettering in yellow as well might look good (you'd need to do that yourself as the OEMs are just painted black).
4) The yellow stitching to the cabin trim looks really smart. The dash decal was a nice touch. The seats are really smart too.
5) The LED headlamps are not quite as weird looking in the flesh with that big blanked area above them, but I do still prefer the style of the xenon projectors. Sadly the lamps were off so I couldn't see what they looked like illuminated.
6) Those fat sills. I really wish they still offered the earlier 2015 skinny sills as the current style make the car so fat. At least the matt black finish is nicer than body coloured ones.
7) The rear diffuser in matt black is delicious. The press photos are mixed between the entire rear valance being matt and just the diffuser - on this one it was just the latter with the valance remaining gloss black. That worked really well at reducing the rear fat of the car without making it look too plastic.
Between the 400 and the P7 I actually preferred the 400 as it was more aggressive than the standard car, but subtler and crucially had that gorgeous V6 rear end and the one I saw did not have a big fixed wing to spoil that.
3) The side/wing vents in matt look really good. Having the lettering in yellow as well might look good (you'd need to do that yourself as the OEMs are just painted black).
Yep, one of the first things I did on my F-Type S with Black Pack was to pick out the "Jaguar" lettering on the side/wing vents. I used silver caliper paint that I had lying around in a spray can, here's a pic (not the best as I don't have a close up pic):
The paint was a good match to the body colour paint, it hasn't deteriorated one little bit in nearly 6 months, and it's very easy to do.
Just clean the vents thoroughly with meths, and apply the paint to the letters with an ordinary artist's brush. Don't worry about getting it neat and tidy, just slather it on.
Let it dry for about 5 minutes, then using a MF cloth soaked in mineral turps gently rub/wipe the excess off leaving paint in the letters only.
Let it dry for another 20 minutes then apply a second coat, leave for 5 minutes, then wipe off the excess again.
Called in at Dealers.
This R-Dynamic vert in the showroom.
The LEDs are growing on me. Didn't like the skirts or front valence.
Liked the wheels.
Liked the darker rear lights.
The seats were very comfortable.
Liked the rear, couldn't see where the fog lights were though.
Yep, I read somewhere that for the 2018MY there is no S any more and it has been replaced by the Sport 400 and the R-Dynamic.
I reckon JLR must do all this model renaming to purposely keep the punters confused as to what badge means what!
Save me from the greenies! I am never going to buy another 4 cylinder engine! I prefer 8 and can live with 6, forced induction. Maybe a sign of the future, but if that is the real future, I won't be driving much for fun.
Well that's just brought down the tone of the F-Type. That beautiful design and that badge are more accessible now for people who couldnt afford them before. Bit of an equaliser. Imagine if Ferrari do the same!
Guess I gotta take a look at the new 2018 Aston Vantage....
Save me from the greenies! I am never going to buy another 4 cylinder engine! I prefer 8 and can live with 6, forced induction. Maybe a sign of the future, but if that is the real future, I won't be driving much for fun.
Larry
I'm with you. Our last 4 cars have been V8's. Two with blowers F-T, CTS-V, and 2 NA, SLK 55, C63.
The greenies will have to peel the steering wheels of our V8's from my cold, dead hands.
