There are times when you’re barrelling about on average British roads in sunny weather, when you wonder whether all the extra capability built into cars like the Jaguar F-Type is strictly necessary.
I’m talking about stuff like extra stability, extra throttle sensitivity (and poke), extra steering authority and that firmness of suspension that affords a higher-than-usual degree of connection to the road.
Today, emphatically, is not one of those days. I’ve just been to Beaulieu and back for a meeting, in driving rain and dangerous road conditions, with puddles everywhere and serious aquaplaning a constant danger.
On this 170-mile journey to the motor museum and back, every one of the F-type’s enhanced abilities came into play – especially since I had no time to waste.
The biggest boon was that this low, wide-tracked sports car presented far less side area to the crosswind that blew constantly, which meant the Jag was stable when ordinary machinery — let alone white vans — were being blown alarmingly about by constant gusts.
The sharp, accurate steering was ideal for picking a path beside the twin, water-filled tracks that lie in rainy weather on many British motorways.
The extreme stability came perfectly into play when we struck pools of lying water at 70mph; the car tracked like an arrow.
The fine brakes and the in-touch chassis provided faultless reassurance when a couple of quick stops were needed, to avoid trucks jinking abruptly around standing water.
And the nose-weight of this front-engined car was a boon when I compared myself with the fortunes of an accompanying Porsche driver, who seemed to have a few more 'Omigod' moments than me because of his lightly loaded front wheels.
I arrived back at the office full of respect for the Jag’s ability to keep me safe, realising that chassis, brake and steering sophistication are there for more than high performance.
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