Saying goodbye to Jaguar's beloved F-type
Prashirwin Naidu
The purr of the famous big cat of cars, the Jaguar, will be replaced by silent efficiency as the British car maker prepares to embrace the electric age.
After 75 years of producing luxury sports vehicles, Jaguar is joining the swathes of automotive brands turning electric. In 2024, Jaguar bids farewell to its internal combustions sports car lineage.
The future is electric. Bittersweet indeed. But they'll end the ICE journey on a high with the release of the limited-edition F-Type, which pays ode to the iconic 1960s racing E-type vehicles.
"As Jaguar embarks on the boldest transformation in its history, to become a modern luxury all-electric brand from 2025, this is an unrepeatable celebration of Jaguar's internal combustion sports car provenance," says Rawdon Glover, Managing Director of Jaguar.
It's said that 150 F-Type ZP Edition will be built, offering a supercharged petrol V8 motor which pushes out 423kw. These F-Types will be finely crafted to perfection with unique interior and exterior features with the help of personalisation experts at SV Bespoke. Although, two so far have been set for the South African market.
Colour pallets are inspired by the first race-winning Project ZP E-types, launched in 1961. One can have Oulton Blue Gloss Paint with Mars red and Ebony duotone leather interior, or another choice of Crystal Grey Gloss paint with Navy Blue and Ebony duotone leather interior. Some distinct styling elements also feature painted racing-styled roundels on the doors and Porcelain White Gloss surrounding them. One will stand out as these exterior paints have yet to be offered on the F-Type.
Interestingly, these colours match the two specifically formulated colours created for seven pairs of the E-type Project ZP Collection cars, which were announced by Jaguar Classic earlier this year.
In terms of interior layout, the seats will have unique horizontal seat fluting, and towards the outside, it features a Gloss Black accent; the brake calipers and the 20-ich forged alloy wheels, tread plates, and dashboard are licked in Gloss black, too. The fenders will flow tidily with the F-Type ZP Edition badging. Each car has a "One of 150' SV Bespoke commissioning plaque.
The F-TYPE ZP Edition is available in both Coupé and Convertible body styles, but only the Coupé is available for the South African market. With 423kW, 700Nm of torque and an all-wheel drive system with Intelligent Driveline Dynamics (IDD) technology, performance is exceptional on all surfaces and in all weathers: 0-100km/h takes as little as 3.7 seconds. The top speed is an electronically limited 300km/h.
Truly, Jaguar has evolved, and this bids a farewell to their popular V8 engine. One must embrace the electric era; all we can do is savour the last of the Jaguar F-Type, constantly engaging and blessed with sprinting abilities and V8 acoustics.
It will continue to deliver the sheer footed performance and driver-focused experience that many Jaguar fans will take a keen interest in.
But don't expect the loud purrs one has become accustomed to.
Also worth a look: the Jaguar TCS Racing Enters 8th Formula E Season with Top Drive and the Jaguar Sets the Pace: Exclusive Electric Mobility Program fo.
FAQ
Q: How many Jaguar F-Type ZP Edition cars will be made?
Jaguar will build just 150 F-Type ZP Edition cars globally, making this one of the most exclusive send-offs for any sports car, with only two units allocated for the South African market.
Q: What engine does the Jaguar F-Type ZP Edition have?
The F-Type ZP Edition packs a supercharged petrol V8 engine that delivers 423kW of power, giving this farewell model serious grunt for its final bow.
Q: Is the Jaguar F-Type ZP Edition worth buying?
If you can get your hands on one of the two South African units, absolutely yes, as this limited-edition model represents the end of Jaguar's 75-year internal combustion sports car legacy and will likely become a future classic.
Q: What makes the F-Type ZP Edition special compared to regular F-Types?
The ZP Edition features exclusive paint colours never before offered on F-Type, unique racing-styled door roundels, bespoke duotone leather interiors crafted by SV Bespoke, and horizontal seat stitching that pays homage to the 1961 E-type Project ZP race cars.
Q: Will Jaguar make any more sports cars after the F-Type ends production?
No, Jaguar is transforming into an all-electric luxury brand from 2025, marking the complete end of their internal combustion sports car lineage that began 75 years ago.
Should You Buy It?
The Jaguar F-Type ZP Edition is an absolute must-buy if you're one of the lucky few who can secure either of the two South African allocation units. With only 150 cars globally and just two coming to SA, this 423kW supercharged V8 farewell represents the end of an era for Jaguar's sports car heritage. While Jaguar hasn't released official South African pricing, expect this collector's piece to command serious money, likely north of R2,500,000, given its exclusivity and historical significance. This isn't just buying a car, it's investing in automotive history as Jaguar closes the book on 75 years of petrol-powered sports cars forever.
