For the 2016 model year, Jaguar is offering U.S. customers a dozen variants of the F-Type sports car, including the top-of-the-line F-Type R Convertible, which is based on the Jaguar F-Type R Coupe. It is equipped with all-wheel drive and replaces the rear-wheel-drive F-Type V8 S Convertible, which earned Robb Report’s Best of the Best honors in 2013.

The all-wheel-drive system keeps the car composed and under control when pushed hard. Under normal driving conditions, all of the engine’s torque goes to the …