Roadster Shootout: Jaguar F-Type v Porsche Boxster Which Is The Most Civilized Drop Top?

It is both the moment of this comparison test and the first time the Jaguar F-Type mounts a fierce challenge to the Porsche Boxster.

The $171,045 F-Type V6 S is leading, with the $131,800 Boxster S PDK on the chase. We’re on a special slice of road deserving of two hot roadsters. It’s early morning so the trucks that typically ferry coal from the mines to nearby power plants are likely still being filled, and the road is clear. It’s way too cold for roadsters – we’re talking single-digit degrees and sleepy winter sun – but each fabric roof has been electrically folded anyway.

Approaching this particular winding uphill stretch the F-Type is howling ahead. The outputs of its 3.0-litre supercharged V6 engine – 280kW of power produced at 6500rpm and 460Nm of torque at 3500-5000rpm – are transferred through an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission to the rear wheels to achieve a claimed 4.9 second 0-100km/h.

LexusHatersRideTheBus - 9/20/2013 9:36:42 PM

+2 Boost

Comparing another roadster to a Boxster is like comparing an engine note a Lexus LFA. Only for the foolhardy

jeffy210 - 9/21/2013 12:49:09 PM

+3 Boost

Am I reading those prices right, or is that a serious typo?! Even account for exchange rate, I feel sorry for the Aussies. That's $123K USD for a *Boxster*.

Terry989 - 9/23/2013 10:23:17 AM

+2 Boost

Yes - - - and $160,782 equivalent US$ for a 6 cylinder Jaguar. The poor Aussies are saddled with very high car import taxes! Of course if you were buying a car in Singapore, even these numbers would look like a bargain! Compared to most countries, car taxes in the US are fairly benign - - - I count my blessings.