The Porsche 911 is regarded as the quintessential everyday sports car and rightly so. Offering high performance, a unique rear-engine driving experience, a classic sports car design, and enough practical cargo space for a golf bag or two, the Porsche 911 has proven itself a winning package for decades.
However, when car enthusiasts are tasked to answer what is the most desirable everyday sports car of any era, it is nearly impossible to argue against the iconic Jaguar E-Type.
After a four decade hiatus (last year of the E-Type was 1974), the classic 2-seater Jaguar convertible returns in the form of the highly anticipated 2014 F-Type. While the new F-Type captivated the media and propelled the classic British roadster to a whole new era, could it be better than the perfect Porsche 911?
Jaguar F-Type Vs. Porsche 911 Performance
As we compare two sports cars, it only makes sense to begin the face-off in the performance category.
The Jaguar XK was positioned against the Porsche 911 in the past but its grand touring design hardly stood a chance against the 911's racing pedigree. With the debut of the new F-Type, Jaguar boldly reintroduces the British roadster with a shorter wheelbase, a lightweight body, and a significantly sharper driving experience compared to the XK. In fact, the British automaker even created a new page on its official Jaguar website to stack the F-Type V8 S against the Porsche Cabriolets.
Offering more engine for less buck, the Jaguar F-Type V8 S gets an early win. The explosive 5.0 liter supercharged V8 in the Jaguar produces a 495-hp power figure that is nearly 100-hp more than the Carrera S flagship cabriolet. What's more, the 460 lb.-ft. of torque figure promises more accessible power across the rev range as well.
Remarkably, the extra power in the Jaguar only manages to accelerate from 0-to-60 mph in 4.2 seconds, just 0.1 of a second quicker than the Porsche 911 S. The top speed in the Jaguar is only an insignificant 1 mph higher than the Porsche's 185 mph.
Delivering finesse, the Porsche is a whopping 430 lbs. lighter than the Jaguar. In addition, the 911's rear-engine layout is capable of putting down more traction off the line than the Jag. The Porsche Carrera's aerodynamic teardrop shape likely helped the Cabriolet to gain a high top speed as well.
While the Jaguar F-Type V8 S and the Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet produce near-identical acceleration and top speed, the two cars unleash its power in very different ways. The victor in this segment will depend on the driver's choice between a brutish V8 engine or a balanced and lightweight chassis.
Jaguar F-Type Vs. Porsche 911 Design
There are two camps that divide the Porsche 911 design. Loyalists believe that rear-engine layout dictated the shape of the 911. A perfect design that has evolved over 50 years, the Porsche 911 is highly efficient -- everything you need, nothing you don't.
On the other hand, critics have accused Porsche 911 designers as the laziest in the business. Without significant redesigns to the sheet metal, it would be rather difficult for the average person to tell the difference between a 997 and a 911.
On the other hand, the Jaguar F-Type is a striking vehicle made from a blank sheet of canvas. Beyond the iconic oval grille and the classic front-engine, rear-wheel-drive proportions, the F-Type does not share any design cues with other vehicles in the current Jaguar lineup. A painstaking progress, the carmaker decided the F-Type would have aluminum body panels. A complex metal with poor forming limits, Jaguar had to create an aluminum alloy and a manufacturing process repeated three times in order to create the crease lines on the F-Type's hood.
A stunning result, the clear winner for the design category will have to be the evocative Jaguar F-Type.
Jaguar F-Type Vs. Porsche 911 Price
Individuals with the means to afford a $100,000 sports car could care less about the price tag. However, it is still debatable whether the Jaguar F-Type V8 S or the Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet offers more bang for the buck. The range-topping F-Type V8 S starts well under $100,000 at $92,000. On the other hand, the official Porsche website lists the Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet at a starting price of $110,800.
When generously equipped with options including 20-inch "Blade" wheels, metallic paint, Jaguar Super Performance Brakes, Meridian 12-speaker surround sound, red seatbelts with matching red stitching, satin-chrome deck hoops, and wind deflector, the Jaguar F-Type V8 S will only command $103,750, still almost 10 percent less expensive than a standard Carrera S Cabriolet.
Jaguar F-Type Vs. Porsche 911 Verdict
Closely matched in many parameters, the Jaguar edges out for the win. Its flowing front-engine rear-wheel-drive proportions produce a stronger emotional response while its more affordable price makes it the rational buy as well.
Now it's your turn: which 2-door sports car will you want in your driveway? Let us know in the comment section below!
Finally, be sure to watch Tiff Needell test the Jaguar V6 against the Porsche 911 Cabriolet for EvoTV:
