Cool Britannia. Britannia rules the roads. Well, with a Jaguar in the early 1960s, maybe. That's when the leaping cat from Coventry was a favourite of movie stars, sports heroes and the well-heeled who could afford the sleek E-Type.
Fast forward five decades or so and go up one notch on the alphabet and the now-Indian owned manufacturer is hoping to cash in on some nostalgia with its all-new, F-Type model.
But don't think Jag is going all retro to turn the heads of today's roadster enthusiasts.
No, this latest offering is all-new and a much more aggressive departure from the XK8, XKR - its most recent predecessors - and certainly the XJS models whose DNA was laced more with touring car civility than the race car persona the F-Type possesses.
This new Jag's emergence was announced at the 2012 Paris Motor Show and it was in showrooms by mid 2013.
Its appearance is more Ferrari than classic Jaguar E-Type, which had just the right degree of Rubenesque curves gracing its seductive body.
The F-Type is more angular in places that is in keeping with the new design theme the Jaguar line adopted with its XF and XK sedans.
Leading that shift is the F-Type's swept-back headlamp cluster and deep-vented jowls found just below. And its gaping, wide-mouthed grille looks inspired by Maserati that gives you the impression it wants to devour the asphalt.
And given what's stashed under the bonnet, that is quite appropriate.
Jaguar has seen fit to equip this jungle cat with no less than four engine options.
Starting on the low end, the comparatively pedestrian F-Type comes with a 3.0 litre, supercharged V6 that develops 340 horsepower.
Opt for the F-Type S and you get an additional 20 ponies.
Throw in a couple more cylinders and you have the F-Type V8S, a 5.0 litre, supercharged
monster that unleashes 495 horsepower.
And at the top of the line is the F-Type R which gives you access to 550 horsepower.
If those numbers are impressive, so too are the zero to 100 km/h times the F-Type accomplishes as even the two, 3.0 litre V6 power plants can reach the magical mark in a scant 4.9 to 5.3 seconds.
As you might expect, the pair of V8 models make even shorter work of the acceleration test with times of 4.1 to 4.3 seconds.
That's certainly a lot of on-the-road authority, but in Jaguar style the F-Type's builders have not forgotten to cosset its occupants in comfort, as well.
The dash and gauges are set low to give the driver good sight lines. And the race car-inspired steering wheel with its flattened rim along its middle spoke reminds you this is a car that wants to be driven to its capacity.
And if you think you're up to that, check your bank account because it will test your financial wherewithal as the base F-Type starts at $76,900.
The F-Type S tacks on a little more with a sticker price of $88,900.
And the top of the line F-Type V8S starts at $100,900.
So, that means you may have to jump a few tax brackets, or wait for that family inheritance to get you the keys. But if or when you do, you'll be getting the latest in a long line of British motoring heritage.
