Scott Kobasick on why he chose the Jaguar F-Type R

From its unmistakable silhouette to the howl of its supercharged V8, Scott Kobasick’s F-Type R delivers everything he wants from a sports car — and then some.

I’ve always loved the Jaguar E-Type. There’s something about the style and iconic shape of those late-1960s and early-1970s cars that has always stayed with me. So, when I first saw the Jaguar F-Type, my reaction was simple: Jaguar has done it again.

Here was a car with that same unmistakable presence, yet one that looked completely different from anything else on the road.

I love Corvettes, Mustangs, Supras, Porsches, Audis and plenty of other performance cars. But I didn’t want something I’d see on every corner in every town. I wanted a car with its own identity, something distinctive that made me look back every time I walked away from it.

The F-Type R ticked every box.

It has an elegance that never feels tame, a muscular stance that hints at what lies beneath the bonnet, and a presence that makes even a short drive feel like an occasion. It looks special standing still, but it’s when you start the engine that the real magic begins.

That V8 soundtrack

What keeps me hooked is the combination of the F-Type’s beautifully sculpted body and the unmistakable sound of its supercharged V8 through the standard exhaust.

It’s invigorating and, frankly, addictive.

There’s something about the way the engine responds and the exhaust note builds that makes you want to find another reason to get behind the wheel. It isn’t just about outright performance; it’s about the entire experience — the sound, the sensation and the way the car makes an ordinary journey feel anything but ordinary.

In colder weather, my buddies say the exhaust fumes swirl out of the quad tailpipes like a jet fighter. It’s quite a sight, and another reminder that the F-Type R has plenty of theatre to go with its performance.

But the car is about more than noise and straight-line speed.

The all-wheel-drive system gives me confidence when the road tightens and the corners start coming one after another. Through the bends, the car feels planted and composed. Then, as you accelerate out of a corner, the rear squats and the V8 roars into life.

That combination of grip, balance and power is what makes the F-Type R so rewarding to drive.

Built for the backroads

My F-Type isn’t a garage queen.

I take meticulous care of it, and with the right attention it can look every bit like a show car. But I bought it to drive, and that’s exactly what I do.

Most weekends, you’ll find me out on the canyon roads and backroads of Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Montana, driving with a group of nine or ten other experienced enthusiasts.

These are spirited, high-speed canyon drives, where the roads demand concentration and a car needs to be capable, predictable and responsive. The F-Type R feels right at home.

More often than not, I find myself running in the number-one or number-two position in the group, setting the pace. The car has the performance to keep up with the demands of the road, while its all-wheel-drive grip helps deliver the confidence I want when the corners come thick and fast.

On these drives, I’ve come to appreciate just how versatile the F-Type R can be. It has the power and aggression of a proper performance machine, but it also has the precision to make a sequence of bends feel wonderfully fluid.

She’s a beast, but in the canyons she performs like a ninja.

Poised, quick and ready to come alive whenever the road opens up.

Keeping the right balance

I’ve kept my F-Type R mostly stock, because I like what Jaguar created in the first place. The car already has a tremendous amount of character and capability, so any changes have been about refining the experience rather than transforming it.

My modifications include wheel spacers, wider tyres, a cold-air intake, a catch can, carbon-fibre interior accents and carbon mechanical paddle shifters.

I’ve also invested in paint protection film (PPF), including protection for the windshield and panoramic glass roof. With the kind of roads I enjoy driving, looking after the car is important. I want to be able to enjoy it properly without worrying about every mile taking its toll.

For me, that’s the ideal balance: a car that’s carefully maintained and looks fantastic, but is still used for what it was designed to do.

More than a beautiful shape

The F-Type R brought together everything I was looking for in a sports car.

Its design carries something of the spirit of the E-Type, while feeling unmistakably modern. The supercharged V8 provides a soundtrack that never gets old, and the combination of power, grip and composure makes it a genuine pleasure on the roads I love most.

Most importantly, it doesn’t feel like just another performance car. It has its own personality, and that’s something I value more than any specification sheet can explain.

I chose the F-Type R because it stood out from the crowd. I keep driving it because it delivers something special every time I get behind the wheel.

And when the road begins to twist through the mountains, the V8 starts to sing and the corners come flowing towards me, I’m reminded why I made that choice.

Some cars are meant to be admired. My F-Type R is meant to be driven.