During a recent visit to the Jaguar Performance Academy in Las Vegas Pro NFL twin DBs Jason (Titans) and Devin (Patriots) McCourty were wondering what was hotter, the 100-degree plus desert weather or Jaguar’s latest convertible codenamed F-TYPE. Centered around a paradigm that puts them in extreme conditions whether playing in hot or cold temperatures or taking on thunderous running backs such as former Rutgers teammate Ray Rice, they both agreed that the new Jag gets the esteemed title.
Invited by good friend Chris Quaye and Automotive Rhythms, “The Twins” arrived to Sin City with low expectations since they had never been on a racetrack. Las Vegas Motorsports Raceway and a British performance vehicle with an aerodynamic blueprint, chiseled fascia, aluminum construction, low center of gravity and powerful V8 would soon change that. After an overview of the vehicle and instructions from pro drivers the brothers mentally prepped themselves as if it were game day and instantaneously became enthusiastically ready for the circuit.
The 2014 F-TYPE will come in three models: F-TYPE, F-TYPE S,and the F-TYPE V8 S. Jason and Devin spent the morning in both the $92,000 F-Type V8 S and the $81,000 F-Type S. A 3.0-liter supercharged V6 powers the 380-horsepower S and the V8 S rocks with a 5-liter supercharged V8 delivering 495-horsepower and hitting 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds. The V8 S also has a top speed of 186 mph. Each engine is mated to an 8-speed Quickshift transmission. Yet, the most defining aspect of the F-TYPE is the Active Exhaust which lets out performance audio viciously.
“That was dope, that was dope,” Jason said after a few trial laps to become familiar with the vehicle. He went insofar as comparing the cornering vision and down track eye site needed by racecar drivers to zone coverage versus man-to-man defense. Looking through the turns was comparable to watching the body movement of receivers off the line to anticipate which direction they are headed. Yet, having professional grade speed like “The Twins” keeps both from potentially inherited the nickname “toast.” The same applies to the F-TYPE!
