EYEBROWS were raised when Jaguar decided to put a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine into its F-Type sports car.

After all, fans of the two-seater had become accustomed to finding a supercharged V6 or V8 under the bonnet.

However, those who have decided to give the new downsized engine a chance may have been pleasantly surprised.

Turbocharging helps to compensate for the Ingenium petrol engine's smaller capacity, meaning peak power can reach 296bhp at 5500rpm, with the torque figure now standing at 400Nm.

While it may fall short of offering the same performance as its more extravagant siblings, the four-pot engine is plenty fast enough for real-world driving and is arguably a more realistic option for everyday road use.

Happily, the smaller engine means a 52kg drop in the car's overall weight, which makes the handling more nimble and the turn-in tighter.

When you combine that with recent steering tweaks, this version of the F-Type reacts quicker to inputs and feels more grippy in corners.

These attributes, with the added enjoyment of rear-wheel and weighty steering, make the car very responsive and characterful on twisty, cross-country roads.

Hit the accelerator pedal at the exit of a corner and the rear tyres cling on superbly, propelling you out of the turn with little fuss.

The four-cylinder engine results in fuel consumption reduction of more than 16 per cent compared to the 340PS V6, and with CO2 emissions down to163g/km.

So the two-litre engine makes for a lighter and fitter F-Type, but there's still one key area where it doesn't quite match its more powerful stablemates - noise.

Four cylinders are never going to sound as good as six or eight, however much amplified noise comes through the loudspeakers.

That said, there's still a good growl from the off and, with the roof down on this delightful cabriolet model, that bassy sound becomes all the more enjoyable.

The gearbox is impressive, complementing the engine's power and being well matched to the torque output, allowing the engine to pull nicely from low revs.

When you switch off dynamic mode, this F-Type, the steering and throttle response is not as keen. This allows the car to take on a different persona, becoming surprisingly refined, comfortable and relaxed.

Externally, there's not much to distinguish it from other models in the F-Type line-up, with styling cues harking back to past Jaguar models.

It has a sumptuous silhouette that never fails to catch the eye, with its lengthy bonnet and large rear wings letting it stand out from the crowd.

In Yulong white (a £750 option) with a red hood, it really looked the part.

The main clue that you’ve got the reduced cylinders version is the centrally-located single exhaust outlet, as opposed to the double oval exhaust tips of the V6 and V8.

Inside, the F-Type's interior boasts many high-end materials throughout, with a few cheaper materials interspersed.

While there are undoubtedly some harsher plastics to be found, the overall effect is good and the general ambience is one of refined quality.

New aluminium trim pieces brighten up the cabin, which would otherwise appear a little dark.

The leather seats are comfortable and supportive, with plenty of adjustment allowing the driver to find a decent driving position.

This test vehicle came in R-Dynamic spec, with prices for this version starting from £59,085.

Standard equipment is provided in healthy proportions, including 18-inch alloy wheels, switchable active sports exhaust, full LED headlights, six-way electrically adjustable seats and sports seats with leather and suedecloth facings.

The eight-inch touchscreen is responsive, with the infotainment system being user-friendly.

Meanwhile, an enhanced suite of driver assistance systems includes autonomous emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, adaptive speed limiter and lane keep assist.

In conclusion, adding a four-cylinder engine into the F-type mix is a success. Jag’s entry-level sports car is lighter, more nimble, plenty rapid enough to get your kicks and work the chassis, and of course it’s more fuel efficient too. It evens summons a pretty rousing soundtrack, though the V6 and V8s remain more compelling.

The Lowdown

F-Type convertible R-Dynamic

PRICE: £59,085 on the road

ENGINE: Four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol

PERFORMANCE: 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds and max speed of 155mph

ECONOMY: 39.2mpg combined and 163g/km emissions

TRANSMISSION: Eight-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive