26.02.2009
Jaguar, free from the shackles of Ford and buoyed by recent successes, has finally delivered two proper drivers’ cars. No excuses needed: the XFR and XKR are a new sort of Jaguar.
Jethro drives both on the idyllic roads of Southern Spain – you can probably already tell what he thinks by the cover shot.
Now read the feature magazine and then let us know what you think of Jag’s new R-models.
Click the image below
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18 Comments
Marty
February 26, 2009I must admit, that XFR looks rather lovely. I never thought I’d ever have that twinge of ‘WANT!’ for a Jag, but from Jethro’s description, when the time comes for me to go shopping for a fast, understated family car, that would be high on the wishlist!
Marty
February 26, 2009I must admit, that XFR looks rather lovely. I never thought I’d ever have that twinge of ‘WANT!’ for a Jag, but from Jethro’s description, when the time comes for me to go shopping for a fast, understated family car, that would be high on the wishlist!
Scotty
February 26, 2009Well looks like I have the floor to open discussion. First off good article! But I have a few reservations about Jags, hopefully some you can dispel some of them as I really want to like this car.
It certainly dispels any pessimism regarding the Tata takeover, as liberating Jaguar from the “Cheap Aston” position under the Ford umbrella seems to have only brought positive results.
Firstly reliability. Jags historic achilles heel and given the high tech gear in the XF especially (that start up procedure!) it would seriously play on my mind before purchasing. Only way to find out is to get an XF-R as a DR long termer for a year!! Any complaints…….no thought not haha
Secondly electronic differentials? Jethro says it works nicely which is good enough for me, but where is the advantage over a regular 1 way differential? Still at least they have got rid of those bloody open diffs!! Should be a law against open diffed rwd’s.
XKR seems like a good thing, perhaps the car it always should have been. Look forward to U.K tests. There is a nagging doubt in the back of my mind that because its a jag and everyone has a soft spot for them that Jethro might have got a bit “warm and fuzzy” about the whole thing. Although that is baseless and probably offensive to Jethro! But Aussie journo’s love commodores/falcons, U.S love Corvettes and Brits love Jags/Astons.
Scotty
February 26, 2009Well looks like I have the floor to open discussion. First off good article! But I have a few reservations about Jags, hopefully some you can dispel some of them as I really want to like this car.
It certainly dispels any pessimism regarding the Tata takeover, as liberating Jaguar from the “Cheap Aston” position under the Ford umbrella seems to have only brought positive results.
Firstly reliability. Jags historic achilles heel and given the high tech gear in the XF especially (that start up procedure!) it would seriously play on my mind before purchasing. Only way to find out is to get an XF-R as a DR long termer for a year!! Any complaints…….no thought not haha
Secondly electronic differentials? Jethro says it works nicely which is good enough for me, but where is the advantage over a regular 1 way differential? Still at least they have got rid of those bloody open diffs!! Should be a law against open diffed rwd’s.
XKR seems like a good thing, perhaps the car it always should have been. Look forward to U.K tests. There is a nagging doubt in the back of my mind that because its a jag and everyone has a soft spot for them that Jethro might have got a bit “warm and fuzzy” about the whole thing. Although that is baseless and probably offensive to Jethro! But Aussie journo’s love commodores/falcons, U.S love Corvettes and Brits love Jags/Astons.
JethroBovingdon
February 26, 2009I’ve never been much of a Jag fan. I grew up in a period where they made pretty ropey cars and I’ve never bought into the image. And I hate the way everyone always talks about the E-Type! Get over it and all that…
But these cars were genuinely terrific. I’d like to try it in the UK back-to-back with an M5 – because I’m a bit weird and love the M5 to bits (and could even live with the SMG ‘box) – and until then wouldn’t nail my allegiance to the XFR, but I suspect it’ll be the more complete car and be just as much fun, too.
The advantages of the electronic diff are that it’s essentially ‘open’ on the way into a corner – which helps to avoid understeer – but can lock-up aggressively on exit if necessary. They’ve also tuned it to increase stability in fast direction changes (swerving and fast lane changes), and it offers better refinement than a mechanical diff. Jaguar have always stood by their assertion than an LSD increases understeer for most drivers – but this has allowed them to offer the best of both worlds in their eyes.
I really, really liked the XKR. However, could live with an XFR if I had to…
JethroBovingdon
February 26, 2009I’ve never been much of a Jag fan. I grew up in a period where they made pretty ropey cars and I’ve never bought into the image. And I hate the way everyone always talks about the E-Type! Get over it and all that…
But these cars were genuinely terrific. I’d like to try it in the UK back-to-back with an M5 – because I’m a bit weird and love the M5 to bits (and could even live with the SMG ‘box) – and until then wouldn’t nail my allegiance to the XFR, but I suspect it’ll be the more complete car and be just as much fun, too.
The advantages of the electronic diff are that it’s essentially ‘open’ on the way into a corner – which helps to avoid understeer – but can lock-up aggressively on exit if necessary. They’ve also tuned it to increase stability in fast direction changes (swerving and fast lane changes), and it offers better refinement than a mechanical diff. Jaguar have always stood by their assertion than an LSD increases understeer for most drivers – but this has allowed them to offer the best of both worlds in their eyes.
I really, really liked the XKR. However, could live with an XFR if I had to…
daytonafan
February 26, 2009The black XFR on 5th Gear looked stunning. I suspect the slightly dowdy image of Jag may hold them back a bit compared to the all conquering BMW M brand. Perhaps a suitable TV or movie product placement is needed!
Love the XKR although would probably choose a Maserati Gran Turismo (even better looking and proper rear seats). Comparison test ASAP please (and throw in Chris’s 612 to see if buying used is a better choice)
daytonafan
February 26, 2009The black XFR on 5th Gear looked stunning. I suspect the slightly dowdy image of Jag may hold them back a bit compared to the all conquering BMW M brand. Perhaps a suitable TV or movie product placement is needed!
Love the XKR although would probably choose a Maserati Gran Turismo (even better looking and proper rear seats). Comparison test ASAP please (and throw in Chris’s 612 to see if buying used is a better choice)
Scotty
February 27, 2009Thanks for the reply Jethro. I just think to the criticism of the Lexus IS-F with its inconsistent diff operation.
daytonafan’s comparo suggestion sounds the goods.
Scotty
February 27, 2009Thanks for the reply Jethro. I just think to the criticism of the Lexus IS-F with its inconsistent diff operation.
daytonafan’s comparo suggestion sounds the goods.
JethroBovingdon
February 27, 2009The IS-F doesn’t really have a diff – it uses the brakes to ‘lock-up’ the drive. This is a proper mechanical diff with electronic control.
JethroBovingdon
February 27, 2009The IS-F doesn’t really have a diff – it uses the brakes to ‘lock-up’ the drive. This is a proper mechanical diff with electronic control.
Daaave
February 27, 2009Great article. I was wondering about the diff as well, whether I was confusing the term ‘electronic diff’ for just a computer and brakes or a proper piece of hardware.
This diff sounds like it solves a lot of problems so I’m a bit surprised that it doesn’t appear to be used in many other places. I think you mention in the article that it’s from a RR Sport so was it originally developed with on-road or off-road driving in mind (I suspect the latter given that it was intended for the drug dealer version of the RR!)?
As an aside, this got me thinking about whether you could add a section to the site where we could ask for advice or information relating to technical things like this? With a few people more trusted than the forum goers to answer or contribute. Even things like driving techniques, car purchases, etc could be discussed…
Daaave
February 27, 2009Great article. I was wondering about the diff as well, whether I was confusing the term ‘electronic diff’ for just a computer and brakes or a proper piece of hardware.
This diff sounds like it solves a lot of problems so I’m a bit surprised that it doesn’t appear to be used in many other places. I think you mention in the article that it’s from a RR Sport so was it originally developed with on-road or off-road driving in mind (I suspect the latter given that it was intended for the drug dealer version of the RR!)?
As an aside, this got me thinking about whether you could add a section to the site where we could ask for advice or information relating to technical things like this? With a few people more trusted than the forum goers to answer or contribute. Even things like driving techniques, car purchases, etc could be discussed…
Alan
March 2, 2009The XFR is an intiguing car and I am looking forward to test driving one. The reports to date do suggest that it removes the one big disadvantage with my M5, that being the lack of low down torque. If only they would build an estate version ??!!
Alan
March 2, 2009The XFR is an intiguing car and I am looking forward to test driving one. The reports to date do suggest that it removes the one big disadvantage with my M5, that being the lack of low down torque. If only they would build an estate version ??!!
Stig
March 26, 2009You know those occasions when you see a couple of cars side-by-side and notice the shared DNA in the design?
Well, just try parking a Jaguar XF…
[img]http://www.drivers-republic.com/resource/6vhk54hjzgt1ltj93hbi6f5v.jpg[/img]
…next to a Maserati Quattroporte!
[img]http://www.drivers-republic.com/resource/k0slhavi0n5qbs6xj1bkkmn6.jpg[/img]
Stig
March 26, 2009You know those occasions when you see a couple of cars side-by-side and notice the shared DNA in the design?
Well, just try parking a Jaguar XF…
[img]http://www.drivers-republic.com/resource/6vhk54hjzgt1ltj93hbi6f5v.jpg[/img]
…next to a Maserati Quattroporte!
[img]http://www.drivers-republic.com/resource/k0slhavi0n5qbs6xj1bkkmn6.jpg[/img]
