Jaguar's F-Type slowly shaking ancestry

There will only ever be one Muhammad Ali.

There will never be another Elvis. Or Marilyn.

And there's no car to compare to the E-Type Jag.

Declared "the most beautiful car ever made" by none other than Enzo Ferrari - who knew a bit about beautiful cars - it stood proud for more than 50 years as perhaps the greatest sports car of all time.

So good that E-Types still command enormous prices to this day. So good it took Jaguar almost five decades to dare to come up with a successor to its throne.

Under those circumstances , the Brits did pretty well to finally come up with this car, the F-Type.

Replacing the irreplaceable is no easy task, but the F-Type has done a pretty good job.

Released back in 2013, the F-Type has undergone a reasonably substantial facelift for the 2021 model - probably the last version we'll see in its current form before the F-Type gets a full make over in the not-too-distant future.

Keep in mind that the E-Type left its mark from the early 1960s to mid-70s, such was its desirability and purity of design. But things change more quickly in the contemporary market, and the F-Type was in need of a facelift.

We tested the flagship model, the high-performance F-Type R, which is the only remaining V8-powered model in the current iteration. It still delivers plenty of bang, with its supercharged V8 (423kW, 700Nm) and all-wheel-drive grip.

Of course, the F-Type is also available with a supercharged V6 or turbocharged four-cylinder variants, collectively offering a wide choice of price and performance.

The R is far and away the most expensive at the eye-watering price of $263,938.

Worth it? A hard question to answer.

The Jaguar competes with fellow two-seater coupes like the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT, BMW's 8 Series and, a little further up the ladder Audi's mid-engined R8 V10, not to mention fellow-Brit Aston Martin .

With a claimed 0-100km/h time of just 3.7 seconds the Jag is comfortable in that company (and actually seems like decent buying against their $300k-plus price tags.

But quarter-of-a-million bucks for a tiring model will never do, so this mid-life upgrade is gratefully received.

There are a few visual cues where engineers have slightly tweaked the F-Type's low-slung good looks, with new headlights bringing a wider, more aggressive front end; upgraded electronics including an all-digital instrument display as well as the existing touch-screen control panel; plus some technical upgrades.

Surprisingly that doesn't include the new "Pivi-Pro" infotainment system already launched in other Jaguar and Land Rover models - although the ongoing Touch Pro works capably.

Of more interest is the 12.3-inch screen that now services the driver's every need, customisable and putting sat-nav and dynamic controls beneath the driver's nose.

What remains is familiar Jag fare. The start button pulses like a heartbeat when you first sit in the car; the evocative way the air con vents reveal themselves as the engine fires up; the retractable spoiler which raises itself as speed builds (and displays the famous leaping car logo in your mirrors). These are things that never get old.

The F-Type fires up with a captivating snarl and, with a dual-stage exhaust system can be dialled up to an even wilder crescendo when the mood, and the open road, beckons.

While happy to doddle around in the city traffic, this car really reveals itself on the open road where it's an effortless cruiser, although its tenacious handling and beautifully-balanced chassis prefer a twisty tarmac. All-paw grip is wise for a car with such massive reserves of torque and power.

The snug cockpit (ideal for two people) brings supple, sculpted leather, excellent attention to detail and logical operation. The focus, quite rightly is the road ahead.

Impressively, the rear cargo space of the Jag delivers a capacious 509 litres of space - making the hard-top coupe almost sensible when compared to the soft-top roadster.

It's unlikely that this car, as handsome as it is, will ever rival its predecessor as a piece of timeless design. While the exterior styling is alluring and desirable, the F-Type is beginning, ever so slightly, to show its age - no great surprise after almost 10 years.

There's much to like about the F-Type R and very little not to.

The sticking point, for many, will be the price for a car that perhaps stops a little short of the supercar persona that some of its nearest rivals possess.

Worth noting, too, that for this money you could buy almost three Toyota Supras - or just one and have enough money left over for a decent luxury car.

There are plenty of people who'll argue that this feisty, pulse-quickening two-seater is worth every penny. Partly because of the looks. Partly because of its performance.

And partly because it's the descendent of the fabulous E-Type, of which there will only ever be one.

JAGUAR F-TYPE R COUPE

* HOW BIG: While not quite dainty from the outside, it offers snug accommodation for two people only. Its powerful design, massive wheels and thundering exhaust note give it an imposing road presence.

* HOW FAST? Seriously. Reaching the speed limit in 3.7 seconds is worthy of a scalded cat.

* HOW THIRSTY? A question not asked by many buyers. Officially it will sip 11.3L/100km - but we didn't come close to that on our test.

* HOW MUCH? The F-Type R retails for $264,966 plus on road costs. There are enough available options to push it well over $300k.