Test drive Jaguar F-Type 3.0 V6 Coupé against Porsche Cayman S: two sports weapons

The jaguar raised a lot of smoke around the F-Type coupe version. However, now a comparison with the Porsche Cayman S should show whether the Briton can earn points not only for style, but also for objective testing criteria.

They don't play at retail in England. When they have to advertise a sports car as a coupe version of the Jaguar F-Type, they turn to Shakespeare himself for help: the Porsche 911 and off in his white Jaguar F-Type.

The video is called The Art of Being a Villain, but we know how Richard II starved to death in prison, and Gaunt's son became king of England under Henry IV. This happened 615 years ago, but even today, in real life, the Jaguar F-Type did not handle its Zuffenhausen-based competitors as easily as it did in advertisements. Moreover, it is a natural rival to the base 3.0 V6 with 340 hp. not even a 911, but a Cayman S with 325 hp. and a working volume of 3,4 liters.

There is little difference in price between the Jaguar F-Type and the Cayman. If the Porsche model is equipped with a PDK transmission that matches Jaguar's standard eight-speed automatic transmission, the difference is less than the cost of a single tank of fuel. Comparing the standard equipment, the F-Type has an advantage of around 3000 euros, which may not be decisive in this price range.

Porsche interior looks more spacious

For most sports car buyers, it is much more important where they get more driving pleasure for that kind of money. The Porsche Cayman has been a well-known figure in this area for many years. This hasn't changed with the current generation 981, which has been on the market since 2013. From the first kilometers on a normal road, the small Porsche with the central engine gives you confidence. The car follows the steering wheel angle, the accelerator pedal movements and the PDK-assisted gear changes with precision and gentleness like a lamb, without undue excitement. In this case, it should be taken as a clear compliment.

When a driver switches to a Jaguar F-Type, it feels like he is immersed in a completely different world. For a start, the feeling is much less. Because while the sporty Jaguar is several inches longer and wider, there isn't more room in the cabin. In addition, less light enters through the small windows and tends to create a slightly narrow but intimate atmosphere. On the other hand, the Porsche model seems to be more spacious and friendly, by no means a car for villains. While the F-Type's cockpit is considerably wider on paper (1535 versus 1400 mm, i.e. 13,5 cm more), the extremely wide center console eliminates this theoretical advantage.

Jaguar F-Type offers less seat support

After driving the Cayman, the first ride in the Jaguar F-Type feels a lot wilder, the engine roars louder, even on a normal secondary road, the car delivers more and more than the relatively smoother Porsche. Jaguar's comfort suspension is also much stiffer. With optional 20-inch tires, it doesn't hide any road condition details. You may like this character as straightforward, outspoken and enjoyable for a sports car, but it is unlikely that everyone will like him.

The finest furnishings and finest workmanship are also available to the Cayman, which in this discipline is almost second only to its big brother the 911. This is where the Jaguar F-Type brings unexpected disappointments. Controls, controls, materials in the interior - everything looks simpler and between us even too simple for a car worth about 70 euros. Especially when you consider that the more powerful versions of the F-Type are much more expensive and play in the 000 league. In addition, the management and control functions in the Jaguar are not very clear and quite confusing. However, not everyone is immediately aware of the cockpit infrastructure of the Cayman, spread over many buttons and levels. However, it is built more logically and consistently.

This brings us to the practical benefits of Porsche, like better seats - if you order the sporty version, which you pay extra for. The seats in the Jaguar F-Type have weaker lateral support and tend to have a poorer seating position.

Precise rudder in Porsche

What does all this have to do with driving pleasure? A lot - because how you feel in the car, you drive. So, it's time to put two sports models in a corner race. Because it's as illegal as it is dangerous with a car of this caliber, we took the twisty track to test the handling at the Bosch proving ground in Boxberg. Even out of time, it's clear that the Cayman is consistently ahead of the Jaguar F-Type. The German car enters corners precisely, its steering system gives more feedback and responds better, it blows like rails in tight or fast corners, has no problems with traction and stops exactly where it should. It looks like an almost ideal model with a centrally located engine.

The Jaguar F-Type also plays the part of the villain skillfully, and in that sense the ad is not misleading. However, whether Tom Hiddleston will be able to escape from his pursuer with him is a big question. The Jaguar feeds too unrestrained in corners, not turning enough when changing direction to feed quickly ass out of a corner. This behavior is the reason that smiles do not leave the faces of good drifters, but on the control track it is more of a hindrance than a help to achieve good results. It's not the engine that's at fault here, which responds purely to the throttle, quickly and roaring up to the top speed limit, and pulling a pretty decently heavy Jaguar F-Type. The fact that it does not reach the dynamic characteristics of a Porsche is also due to its high weight. The test car, at 1723 kg, is almost 300 kg heavier than the Cayman (1436 kg).

The Jaguar F-Type automatic shows a dual character

It also contributes to the F-Type's higher per-liter fuel consumption compared to the Cayman S. Its 3,4-liter boxer already has a smoother ride, better settings, and more high-rev lure. In terms of sound alone, Jaguar's V6 engine comes forward with its powerful roar. However, gear shifting is more of a matter of taste - if in normal everyday driving the eight-speed automatic with a torque converter plays the role of a calm partner, then more dynamic driving sometimes makes it overly motivated and hurried. And while the Jaguar F-Type didn't finish the test with infinitely good results, the villain shows he can be extremely attractive. Like Shakespeare.

CONCLUSION

1. Porsche Cayman S

490 points

With its excellent engine and balanced chassis, the Cayman S performs so convincingly that it leaves no room for its rival.

2. Jaguar F Type 3.0 V6 Coupe

456 points

The Jaguar F-Type's solid suspension makes it a good bad guy. But on points he loses to the excellent student.

Text: Heinrich Lingner

Photo: Hans-Dieter Zeifert

Home " Articles " Blanks » Jaguar F-Type 3.0 V6 Coupé vs. Porsche Cayman S: two sports weapons