WITH sharper styling, upgraded on-board technology and even more fire-power the latest Jaguar F-Type offers the ultimate in two-seater sports car appeal.

It boasts a muscular, assertive design but is also more sculpted in the process with super slim pixel LED headlights on certain models and subtly updated signature ‘J' daytime running lights.

There is a new clamshell bonnet, revised front bumper and larger grille for more visual impact. The styling is completed thanks to the flush deployable door handles and air vents.

Move inside and the cockpit is truly driver-focused and features a Touch Pro infotainment system, Smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, a superb Meridian sound system and a whole lot more.

But the eye-catching feature has to be the reconfigurable high definition 12.3-inch Interactive Driver Display which can be personalised according to taste.

The F-Type's interior is pure quality at every turn with the finest leather upholstery and soft touch finishes - it simply oozes class and elegance without being garish in any way and the sports seats are snug, supportive and easy to adjust along with the power-adjustable steering wheel.

With prices ranging from £54,060 to £102,370 F-Type owners can choose between coupe or cabriolet guises and there are generously equipped trim levels starting with the F-Type, then the F-Type R-Dynamic, followed by the First Edition and R models.

Powering this iconic sports car is a choice of 2.0-litre, four-cylinder and 5.0-litre, eight-cylinder petrol engines with outputs ranging from 300ps to 575ps.

All are matched to an eight-speed Quickshift transmission with full driver control via steering wheel paddles or the SportShift gear selector. There is also the option of rear wheel or all-wheel drive.

We tried out the F-Type First Edition Coupe - a car that is modelled on the R-Dynamic but gains lots of extra kit, such as an Exterior Design Pack in Dorchester Grey and five-spoke, 20-inch wheels. The First Edition cars will have a limited run of just one year.

This model also featured the very latest powertrain - the 5.0-litre V8 450ps version and it didn't disappoint in the slightest.

Costing £80,890 or rather £85,395 with options such as a powered tailgate, privacy glass and 12-way heated and cooled electric memory front seats, the vehicle could power its way from 0-60mph in a blisteringly quick 4.4 seconds and topped out at 177mph.

According to the latest WLTP testing it can deliver a combined 26.8-26.1mpg with carbon emissions of between 239 and 246g/km.

But economy stats will be the furthest thing from your mind when you start up the car with a very welcoming roar.

And it's a sound that just gets better and better, especially if you shift across to Sport mode and fire up the enhanced exhaust tone.

In fact, the F-Type is a car that is heard long before it's seen ⦠and then just like that, it's gone.

Even on dreadful, water drenched roads the all-wheel drive F-Type was beautifully poised and grounded without a slightest hint of slip. Bends and corners can be attacked with absolute confidence and the steering is really responsive with ample driver feedback.

It feels much sharper on the open road than the outgoing model, which was starting to look a little jaded by comparison.The new F-Type is anything but.

It's agile, responsive and very potent with a wonderfully addictive and aggressive nature that simply seems to say: "Go on, dare you!"

Much of this attitude is down to the uprated chassis set-up along with new dampers and springs that aid the improved agility and all-round performance.

It's definitely worth exploring the new driver interface too - that way you can have the benefit of a single dial for explosive pace work, the more traditional double dials or a fully blown navigation map.

Storage options are very limited, but in all honesty, who cares? There's boot space for 310 litres of kit along with a small central cubby box, narrow door pockets and a drop-down glovebox.

With such potent performance capabilities, safety systems need to be pretty comprehensive and they are just that with the likes of lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition with adaptive speed limiter, roll over protection system, emergency brake assist, anti-lock brakes, driver condition monitoring and a whole lot more besides.

All in all, Jaguar has brought its F-Type model bang up to date and it now offers a very viable alternative to sports cars from the German marques.