AWD turns 2016 Jaguar F-type into a car for any season

The day after Thanksgiving was gray, rainy and cool in Detroit. Perfect weather for a fast drive in a Jaguar sports car. That's very different from the past, when Jags hated slick surfaces like your house cat hates getting caught in the rain.

The sleek ★★★ 2016 Jaguar F-type S coupe takes to wet roads like a duck to water, thanks to a new all-wheel-drive system.

Jag began adding AWD to its cars a few years ago. It was a welcome addition that helped luxury and sport sedans like the XJ and XE appeal to drivers in snowy regions. This year, the sporty F-type got the system.

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Prices for the 2016 Jaguar F-type coupe start at $65,000 for a rear-drive coupe with a six-speed manual transmission and 340-hp supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engine. Upgrading to an eight-speed automatic raises the tab to $66,300.

All-wheel drive is available starting at $84,800 on the mid-range model, which has a 380-horsepower version of the supercharged 3.0L

The top F-type R comes with standard AWD, automatic transmission and a 550-horsepower supercharged 5.0L V8.

Jag builds F-type roadsters in the same variations as the coupe. Prices run from $68,100 with the manual gearbox and 340-horsepower engine to $106,450 for the 550-hp R.

I tested a nicely equipped 380-horsepower F-type S AWD coupe that stickered at $95,250. All prices exclude destination charges.

The F-type S AWD competes with sport coupes like the Audi TTS, Chevrolet Corvette Stingray and Porsche Cayman GT4. The Jag’s combination of power, style and AWD is unique among them. AWD’s combination of power, improved handling and all-weather practicality helps Jag justify prices at the high end of the group.

My test car had black and red leather upholstery and interior trim, a 770-watt Meridian sound system, navigation, blind-spot alert, a large sun roof that doesn’t open, parking sensors, automatic high beans and power hatchback.

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Dismayingly, Jag doesn’t offer voice recognition on the F-type coupe and convertible. The car’s Bluetooth compatibility allows hands-free phone calls, but you have to pick up the phone or perform a distracting set of steps on the touch screen to place a call.

The touch screen is slower to react than the systems in leading competitors.

The F-type coupe is one of the prettiest automotive designs of the last 20 years, with a flowing roof, short overhangs and wide fenders.

Lustrous optional storm grey paint accentuated the car’s low, wide, dynamic appearance and had the still-wet look of high-end nail polish.

The F-type coupe looks small, but it’s only 0.2 inch shorter than the Stingray. The Jag’s 3.5-inch shorter wheelbase makes itself felt in a snug cabin with minimal storage and a small luggage compartment. Excluding the lack of voice recognition and the touch screen’s deficiencies, the controls are straightforward and effective.

The F-type S’s 380-hp is in the middle of the class, more powerful than the TTS four-cylinder, weaker than the Stingray V8, nearly identical to the Cayman GT4’s 3.8L flat-six.

The Jag is the heaviest car in the group. The results: a slower 0-60 m.p.h. time than the TTS and Stingray. Porsche hasn’t published 0-60 for the GT4, but it’s likely quicker, too. The Jag’s combined EPA city/highway rating of 21 m.p.g. trails the TTS and beats the Stingray and Cayman GT4.

Outstanding handling helps offset those shortcomings. The 2016 F-type’s new electric power steering is exceptionally well tuned, with quick response, good feel and steady on-center feel.

The car’s wide stance, balance and performance-tuned AWD deliver outstanding grip and stability. The suspension absorbs bumps well, too.

Contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@freepress.com or 313-222-6731. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan.

Behind the Wheel

2016 Jaguar F-type S AWD

All-wheel-drive two-seat sport coupe

Price as tested: $95,250 (excluding destination charge)

Rating: ??? (Out of four stars)

Reasons to buy: Looks, performance, all-wheel drive

Shortcomings: No voice recognition; unresponsive touch screen 

 Competitive EPA fuel economy ratings

(Automatic transmission models, all-wheel drive where available)

Jaguar F-type S AWD coupe: 18 m.p.g. city/26 highway/21 combined. Regular gasoline.

Audi TTS Quattro: 23/27/25. Premium gasoline.

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray: 16/29/20. Premium gasoline.

Porsche Cayman GT4: 18/23/20. Premium gasoline.

 Source: www.fueleconomy.gov

Comparative base prices (excluding destination charges)

(Automatic transmission models, all-wheel drive where available)

Jaguar F-type S AWD coupe: $84,800

Audi TTS Quattro: $51,900.

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray: $55,400

Porsche Cayman GT4: $84,600

Source: Autotrader.com

 Specifications as tested

Engine: 3.0L supercharged 24-valve V6

Power: 380 horsepower @ 6,500 r.p.m.; 339 pound feet of torque @ 3,500-5,000 r.p.m.

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Wheelbase: 103.2 inches

Length: 176.0 inches

Width: 75.7 inches 

Height: 51.6 inches

Curb Weight: 3,492 pounds

Where assembled: Castle Bromwich, U.K.

 Key features on vehicle tested

Standard equipment: Seat belt pretensioners; side air bags; antilock brakes; stability control; emergency brake assist; LED running lights; Xenon headlights; switchable active exhaust system; adaptive dampers; fixed glass sunroof; 14-way adjustable seats; 770-watt Meridian audio; touch screen; navigation; Bluetooth phone and audio compatible; push button start; memory for driver settings; power windows, locks and mirrors; cruise control.

Options: Storm gray paint; performance seats; blind spot monitor; front and rear parking sensors; rear camera; heated seats and steering wheel; auto dimming mirrors; dual zone climate control; power tailgate; extended leather interior pack.