DRIVE past the giant Jaguar plant in Birmingham and it's not unusual to see one of the new F-Types being driven on the highway from one part of the complex to another.

Spotting one on the open road with an owner behind the wheel in its home city, however, is a must rarer occurrence.

Which probably explains why while I was driving one of the stunning super sleek roadsters I lost count of the number of people who stopped and stared as I drove by.

I'd like to think it was pride in a home grown product, and while there was probably an element of that the real reason has to be quite simply it is just such a stunning car people can't help but take a second glance.

With its highly distinctive face, kerb high front spoiler, muscular rear wheel arches and cannon-like twin rear exhausts this all aluminium power house is a work of design genius.

Nothing on the car has been allowed to spoil its lines. The rear spoiler stays tucked neatly away until you reach speeds of more than 60 miles per hour and even the door handles automatically disappear into the bodywork so they don't spoil the smooth surface and affect the aerodynamics.

The low slung design means you tend to drop down into it but the interior wraps itself around you so that even though the body is surprisingly wide you feel very snug and at home.

I would, however, have liked to have seen a touch of colour or a hint of chrome to lift the all-black interior which I found dramatically austere compared to some of its rivals.

On the positive side there's plenty of seat adjustment and as the car comes only as an eight-speed automatic only - so no clutch to reach - you can sit well back in the cockpit.

Push the tactile gold button and the supercharged 375bhp V6 roars - and I do mean roars - into life although it quietens after a few seconds when it goes onto tickover. If you like the spine tingling racing car sound you can retain it by activating a button near the gearshift, ensuring that everyone will hear you coming.

There is a V8 version of the F-Type which is even louder, although having driven it in the past I prefer the V6 as a much easier car to live with for everyday motoring. And just because it has a smaller power plant don't be under any illusion that it's not fast enough for most people.

This car takes off with just the slightest touch on the accelerator and the nice thing is the power just keeps on coming, with no let up.

Move the shift into Sport and the power delivery drives you firmly into the seatback as the horizon looms up at a very rapid rate.

The gearbox is seamless and spot on but there is even more fun if you take time out to drive it manually using the paddles behind the steering wheel. And when driving hard the engine crackles and spits on the overun as you change rapidly back down the gearbox to slow up for corners or bends.

But the nice thing about the F-Type is just how nimble it is with extraordinarily precise handling.With the hood down - a process which takes just 12 seconds and can be done on the move at town speeds - you remain snug and wind free with just a slight breeze catching the top of your head. With the hood up the car feels as quiet and comfortable as if it had a metal roof.

As Jaguar's latest two-seater the F-Type has an impressive heritage to live up to, but judging by the response on the street and the success of worldwide sales it has already become a car which features high on the list of vehicles people aspire to own.