Delightful (and devilish) dozen: what to drive when styling and performance are paramount

2015 Jaguar F-Type

Base price range: $65,925-$99,925

The F-Type is the first all-out Jaguar sports car in regular production since the fabled E-Type was retired in 1975. This is a rear-wheel-drive two-seater available as a voluptuous coupe or rakish convertible. Base versions have a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 tuned to 340-horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, good for 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds. S models bump that to 380 and 339 and drop the 0-60 sprint to 4.8 seconds. There’s also a supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 with 495-horsepower and 460 pound-feet in the V-8 S Roadster. It does 0-60 in 4.2 seconds. The same V-8 in the range-topping F-Type Coupe R delivers 550-horsepower and 502 pound-feet. 0-60 here is finished in 4.0 seconds on the way to a 186 mph top speed. There’s one transmission, an eight-speed automatic with adaptive controls and shift paddles that make it eager and quick-responding. The F-Type is small enough and light enough that is doesn’t have to leave out creature comforts to aid performance, as long as you are prepared to pay for them that is. The F-Type looks the part from every angle, and its resists being too retro by following the heritage of the legendary E-Type too closely.