THE Jaguar E-Type was considered by many to be the ultimate two-seater sports car to grace our roads and over the four decades since it drifted into the history books, very few cars have come close to matching its finesse, refinement and all-round performance.

But it was Jaguar who took up that challenge and last year we saw the arrival of the aptly-named F-Type with its beautifully-crafted contours, elegant styling and performance capabilities to blow your socks off.

And the range-topping version with its 5.0-litre V8 Supercharged engine is the cream of the crop.

Guaranteed to turn heads the F-Type Convertible looks amazing from any angle thanks to its 20-inch silver alloys, rear spoiler, quad exhaust pipes, LED daytime running lights and intelligent air venting system.

But on closer inspection it's the finer details that prove how much attention has been given to its design.

For example, it has red brake callipers, door handles that are flush to the bodywork and when opened display JAGUAR along the top. The chrome headlight surround also features the company's name as do the stainless steel sports pedals.

These features may not sound that important but they are an indication of how much care and thought has gone into each and every nook and cranny.

The interior is beautifully designed with the finest upholstery and a wealth of technology to be explored. The air vents rise from the centre of the dashboard when needed and fold away smooth to the touch when not required.

The flat-bottomed multi-function steering wheel can be positioned perfectly for comfort as can the seats which are electrically adjusted. There are flashes of gold on a number of functions such as the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts, the start/stop button and the driving mode select switch.

Elsewhere all controls and readouts are perfectly positioned for driver usability. Creature comforts include heated seats, a premium Meridian sound system with DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity, sat nav and a clear and precise 8-inch colour touch-screen display.

Despite being a two-seater sports car, comfort levels are remarkably high and the generous width of the car means two passengers have bags of space to stretch out. And although storage levels are limited there are a number of handy little compartments scattered throughout the car.

So the F-Type looks magnificent both inside and out, but how does it perform?

The answer is unbelievably well. The roar as you start the car up will wake slumbering neighbours half a mile away and with the Active Sports Exhaust turned on there is more fizz, bang and pop than a New Year celebration.

The power and acceleration is seemingly endless and the road-holding is truly exhilarating. This is a car that can sprint to 60mph in just 4.2 seconds and redlines at 186mph. But it's not all grunt and muscle, because there is a sense of elegance in the manner the F-Type achieves such impressive stats.

At times it seems to glide across the surface and any uneven roads are treated with the disrespect they deserve thanks to the car's excellent suspension which irons out many of the creases.

If the sun puts in an appearance, then the roof can be lowered in just 12 seconds. Although be warned, if you are driving with the top down and it starts to rain, you can expect lots of horn blasts and gesticulations from passing motorists as you pull over to raise the roof. It's also a car that few motorists show any courtesy towards so plan well ahead before changing lanes.

There are three driving modes - the normal is great for everyday driving (if such a thing exists in the F-Type). Then Dynamic mode - suitably indicated by a chequered flag - adds a more edgy and gritty response. Finally, there is a rain/ice/snow mode indicated by a snowflake for extra traction in poorer driving conditions.