MODERN DRIVE
Although the changes between the F-Type 400 Sport and the standard V6 S were subtle, they were enough to make this limited-edition model look and feel significantly different.We’ve tracked down a rare example
SUBTLETY MAY deceive you,” saidOliver Cromwell once. “Integrity neverwill.” Judging by this F-Type 400 Sport, the former Lord Protectorwasn’twrong.Although the car looks little different fromthe standard V6 S itwas based on, the discreet changes to the design togetherwith the 20PS power upgradewere enough to transform the F-Type into an even harder,more authentic performance car. In early 2017 the F-Type received a minor facelift for the 2018model year that introduced newfull LEDheadlights, dark rear lenses and slimmer seats. “Great sports car design is about proportion and purity,” said Jaguar’s then design director, Ian Callum, at the time.
“Themost challenging element of the process for designers is to focus on andmaintain an exciting silhouette that promises performance. For the 2018model year F-Type,we looked at howwe could fine-tune key details to deliver evenmore clarity of purpose in the overall design – for the driver, the passenger and onlookers.” Part of the refreshwas a limited-edition model, the 400 Sport, named after the amount ofPferdeStarke the supercharged 3-litreV6 engine produced (around 395bhp).Although amere 20PS over the standard Smodel (whichwas found courtesy of a simple engine remap), itwas still enough to change the car’s characteristics. “It feels a little brighter in its responses to throttle and steering,” saidEvo magazine in 2017, “a little less overpowering in its delivery – think of it as a crisp gin and tonic rather than a pint of stout.”
Aswell as the extra power, the 400 Sport featured an uprated braking systemthat featured 380mmfront and 376mmrear discs and black caliperswith the 400 Sport logo. The 400was distinguished by handsome 20in five-spoke alloywheels, a front splitter, side sills, rear diffuser and air vents all in a newdark grey satin finish. Therewas also newfront and rear badging in yellow, the colour carried into the interior for the stitching plus badging on the headrests, centre console and newflat-bottomedwheel. Available in open and closed body styles, plus rear and all-wheel drive, the 400 Sport was on sale for around 12 months.
By being on average £6000 more than the comparable standard model, only a handful were produced including 440 for the UK, made up of 236 with rear-wheel-drive and 204 AWD models. This low volume makes the car something of a Jaguar-shaped unicorn yet thanks to the yellow badging, a recognisable one. So, when I spotted Paul Clarke’s Santorini Black convertible that’s featured here (one of just three colours the 400 was available in, the others being Indus Silver and Yulong White) at a Jaguar event l
