Jaguar F-Type Coupe manual

In addition to the option of four-wheel drive on 2016 model-year F-Types, Jaguar has bowed to pressure and introduced a manual gearbox on the supercharged V6 models.

The new six-speeder, developed by Jaguar and ZF, has been tuned to provide what the company describes as “the purest possible F-Type experience”. However, it’s only available on either of the V6 engines in Coupe or Convertible form – the V8 remains an automatic only.

It provides a new entry level to the F-Type range, too, although due to a ‘price realignment’ it’s the same price as the lower-powered automatic model was – the auto has jumped up by £1,800.

If you really must have a manual shift for your F-Type, you’ll find the new gearbox pleasant enough to use, but without the crispness that you’ll get from a Porsche box. It’s not vague or rubbery, but lacks the direct mechanical feel of the very best manual shifts.

Swapping gears manually also means the performance takes a bit of a dip: the 0-60mph time goes up by four-tenths to 5.5 seconds in the 336bhp car and 5.3 seconds in the 375bhp model – still pretty swift returns by any standards. However, changes to the exhaust baffles on the manual car mean a more exciting noise than in automatic models, almost on a par with the rip-roaring V8.

Elsewhere, the V6 F-Types benefit from a raft of 2016 model-year tweaks, including Torque Vectoring by braking for sharper front end responses, and the new electric power-steering that gives even greater feel than before.

You can also opt for the Sport Design Pack that’s standard on the V8 R models and the much improved infotainment touchscreen system with Jaguar’s impressive InControl apps.

The latest F-Types benefit from upgrade to touchscreen infotainment system and can be used with impressive InControl apps, too. The Sport Design Pack will give V6 models the appearance of the F-Type R, with deeper sills and revised front and rear spoilers.

Key specs

• Price: £65,735
• Engine: 3.0-litre V6 supercharged
• Power: 375bhp
• Transmission: Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
• 0-62mph: 5.3 seconds
• Top speed: 171mph
• Economy/CO2: 28.8mpg/234g/km
• On sale: July 2015