FOLLOWING swiftly on from the Roadster, this is the tin-top version of Jaguar’s bold new F-Type.

The car’s rakish looks signal a bold new direction for the company, as it seeks to tempt younger buyers away from the traditional German alternatives.

The all-petrol line-up consists of a base 3.0-litre V6 with 340 horsepower, a beefier ‘S’ with 380 horsepower plus the flagship 5.0-litre V8 ‘R’ bruiser with 550 horsepower.

All three come with a smooth-shifting eight-speed auto gearbox offering a manual mode and the ubiquitous paddle shifters.

As bold as the Roadster from the front thanks to its aggressively-style nose, the real drama happens towards the back.

With its streamlined profile and sloping ‘fastback’ tail, there’s more than a hint of E-Type if you include the new car’s wide, muscular haunches.

The bold design theme continues inside, with the F-Type Coupe offering occupants a snug, leather upholstered cabin, plus all the usual mod cons such as a decent infotainment system comprising a quality audio unit and navigation, all accessed through a central touchscreen.

The big XJ saloon and medium size XF are Jaguar’s way of demonstrating that it had distanced itself from overtly retro design, and the F-Type Coupe is a further illustration of Jaguar’s determination to encourage ownership among younger professionals.

You don’t buy a two-seat coupe to shift flatpack furniture, but if you do need some space the F-Type Coupe’s hatchback layout gives you ample room for shopping, golf bags or a few large soft bags.

This layout is considerably more versatile than the Roadster, although the Coupe’s cabin mirrors the drop-top in that you get a generous size armrest storage box and open cubbyhole behind the seats.

Not only does the F-Type Coupe look the business when parked up, it’s also the real deal out on the road. The flagship V8 R is, surprisingly, not the monster you think it might be. Predictably rapid, it’s also composed and agile at speed. Plus, the rip-snorting soundtrack it generates is unlike anything else at this price.

The likely best seller, the V6 S, takes it down a notch but you’re none the poorer for it. It too is capable of delivering a raucous exhaust note when worked hard, and its 380 horsepower proves more than ample for everything from swift overtakes to relaxed motorway cruising. A willing and capable performer, it flatters the novice yet boasts sufficient depth of abilities to engage skilled drivers.

In the grand scheme of things the F-Type Coupe is pleasingly affordable. Well equipped for a car in this market, it comes with more than enough safety and convenience kit to keep demanding owners happy.

Jaguar hopes it can attract a new generation of younger buyers to the brand with the F-Type, although the desire is relative when you consider the car’s considerable price tag. That said, keen drivers will love the car for its playful abilities, while those who simply want to be seen in the car will be pleasantly surprised by F-Type’s ease of use.