THE CANARY THAT ROARS

THE V8 SUPERCHARGED F-TYPE'S DAYS MAY BE LIMITED, BUT THE MATT SORRENTO YELLOW JAGUAR AWAKENS ALL THE SENSES.

LES. HUGHES

LETS NOT TALK PRACTICALITY OR FAMILY DRIVING. Let's opt for self-indulgence, spectacular, exhilarating, beautiful, brutish fun - and unbelievably, soon to be obsolete. Yes, much as we hate to think about it, Jaguar's pulsating and thumping V8 supercharged F-TYPE R Coupé is on its last throws of production life. That's a cruel thing to consider, and I promise that if Jaguar doesn't give buyers of its electric engined sporting range the option of turning on or off piped artifical engine noise similar to that we get with the R, a smart business will soon be offering it as an after-market item.

If Formula E would do the same thing its viewer ratings would soar - noise and car racing are inseparable. Noise and sports cars are likewise inseparable.

Let's get back to the now though.

When Jaguar Australia executive James Scrimshaw told us he had something very special for this edition we didn't see this F-TYPE being so enthralling.

What else could you desire in a Jaguar sports model? It's an F-TYPE Coupé (our strong preference over the open version), has huge aggressive 20 wheels and tyres, a massive supercharged V8 engine, all wheel drive, is compellingly loud, boasts aggressive styling with refreshed front styling including massive vents - and a special order colour you could never miss. Yes, it is very 'look at me, look at me' as a proper sports car needs to be.

The Sorrento Yellow 'yellowness' is beyond reproach. In fact, I would go on to say that its beauty is matched equally by whimsy, joy, wonder, novelty and spectacle. To top off the entire package, the paint is finished in matt, an extra option as is the colour itself - and a matter of personal choice.

Can I just say, the matt finish grew on me! Would I not buy the car because of it - hell no!

The V8 engined R prominently displays four large exhaust pipes at the extremities, so yes, it's beautiful to behold whichever way you look at it.

However, it's our loss that it is destined to become a victim of its era, through no fault of it own, or its heritage. So if this Jaguar is the stuff of your dreams, indulge yourself very quickly before it's too late.

Wouldn't we love to buy one of the final V8 supercharged F-TYPE Coupés and hibernate it - except for the occasional admiring glance in a darkened room. A no-mileage V8 supercharged F-TYPE Coupé would certainly be a great investment for the future. Pity we can't afford to do it!

R IS BUILT TO PERFORM

The lighter smaller-engined F-TYPE models are certainly better balanced, and handle more sweetly without the added weight of the larger engine, but if you enjoy ear-shattering sounds, and mind-altering performance it is a no-contest. Styling details are more aggressive too, as are the R's wheels.