Supercharged XKR 5.0 + Snake Pass = sooo much fun....
Discussion
As I mentioned in my previous report on the Ferrari California, I recently had a week in Sheffield for a training course. As a masterstroke of timing, ecurie25 have just opened a Leeds branch (free booze launch party on the 12th anyone? See you there... 
), and there just happens to be the fantastic bit of road known as the Snake Pass a stone’s throw from where i was staying.
So – Snake Pass, a free day on Friday...hmmm, what car to choose.... It would have to be one I’ve not driven yet, and they have just the car – sitting there when I arrive is a gleaming black Supercharged 5.0 Jaguar XKR. And by God, that is one stunning car. I’ve always admired the looks of the new XK, but in the new XKR form, with the extra spoilers, with the 20” wheels and new front bumper, it’s absolutely breathtaking.
From every angle it looks beautiful, powerful, menacing, all of the above.
And the visual excitement continues when you swing open the door and take in the interior.
The new centre console, with the oh-so-cool rising gear selector, and pulsating Start button, is right on the money, and the touch-screen Satnav is brilliant. Tactile aluminium paddles sit in the exact right position behind the wheel, and the wheel itself is a marvel to hold.
As you may have guessed, I quite like this XKR – and that’s before I’ve even got to the best bit – the driving.
Thumb the starter button, and that 503bhp (510PS) V8 fires into life with a bark and a rumble. Twist the selector to the right, and you burble away to your destination. Which for me, was the Snake Pass...
Sitting in Sheffield, at the start of the Snake, I paused for thought about how civilised the XKR was on the drive here from Leeds. Soft, supple suspension soaking up the imperfections our roads are cursed with, auto ‘box shifting seamlessly, engine wafting me along. All very Jaguar-like. I must say, I was concerned that it wasn’t going to be the right tool for the Snake after that initial drive, but I needn’t have worried...
Push and twist the selector to ‘S’ to engage Sport mode, and you instantly feel the XKR squat a little, the suspension tightening up. Hmmm, this is a bit better...
First straight and I introduce the throttle pedal to the carpet, and experience what this new Jag is all about. 500+ horses catapults you down the road, V8 growling and snarling, gears holding on to the very last rev before shifting into the next surge of punishing acceleration. Wow, I wasn’t expecting that.
First set of corners, flick the left paddle a few times, and the revs rise, exhaust blaring the V8 soundtrack to anyone who’ll listen. Turn in, dart left, squeeze the throttle again, dart right. Straight bit – floor it, brake, turn..... this goes on all day. I traversed the Snake Pass 4 times that day, and it never got boring.
Any slow mover could be easily dispatched by the Jag’s V8, any corner scythed through, any straight made immeasurably short.
When I stopped to take some photos of the gorgeous cat, it suddenly occurred to me that this really is all the car you could ever need. Powerful, easy to drive, amazing handling, practical boot, 4 seats, all you may need extra is a folding roof, and you can have one of those if you want. It certainly makes the Aston V8 look a bit silly in my eyes, which I never thought I’d say.
I could wax lyrical for another 1000 words on how much I adore this Jag, but I think I’ll just let you revel in its beauty a bit more...
And finally, my favourite picure…
Nothing but clear, empty twisty road ahead.....
), and there just happens to be the fantastic bit of road known as the Snake Pass a stone’s throw from where i was staying.So – Snake Pass, a free day on Friday...hmmm, what car to choose.... It would have to be one I’ve not driven yet, and they have just the car – sitting there when I arrive is a gleaming black Supercharged 5.0 Jaguar XKR. And by God, that is one stunning car. I’ve always admired the looks of the new XK, but in the new XKR form, with the extra spoilers, with the 20” wheels and new front bumper, it’s absolutely breathtaking.
From every angle it looks beautiful, powerful, menacing, all of the above.
And the visual excitement continues when you swing open the door and take in the interior.
The new centre console, with the oh-so-cool rising gear selector, and pulsating Start button, is right on the money, and the touch-screen Satnav is brilliant. Tactile aluminium paddles sit in the exact right position behind the wheel, and the wheel itself is a marvel to hold.
As you may have guessed, I quite like this XKR – and that’s before I’ve even got to the best bit – the driving.
Thumb the starter button, and that 503bhp (510PS) V8 fires into life with a bark and a rumble. Twist the selector to the right, and you burble away to your destination. Which for me, was the Snake Pass...
Sitting in Sheffield, at the start of the Snake, I paused for thought about how civilised the XKR was on the drive here from Leeds. Soft, supple suspension soaking up the imperfections our roads are cursed with, auto ‘box shifting seamlessly, engine wafting me along. All very Jaguar-like. I must say, I was concerned that it wasn’t going to be the right tool for the Snake after that initial drive, but I needn’t have worried...
Push and twist the selector to ‘S’ to engage Sport mode, and you instantly feel the XKR squat a little, the suspension tightening up. Hmmm, this is a bit better...
First straight and I introduce the throttle pedal to the carpet, and experience what this new Jag is all about. 500+ horses catapults you down the road, V8 growling and snarling, gears holding on to the very last rev before shifting into the next surge of punishing acceleration. Wow, I wasn’t expecting that.
First set of corners, flick the left paddle a few times, and the revs rise, exhaust blaring the V8 soundtrack to anyone who’ll listen. Turn in, dart left, squeeze the throttle again, dart right. Straight bit – floor it, brake, turn..... this goes on all day. I traversed the Snake Pass 4 times that day, and it never got boring.
Any slow mover could be easily dispatched by the Jag’s V8, any corner scythed through, any straight made immeasurably short.
When I stopped to take some photos of the gorgeous cat, it suddenly occurred to me that this really is all the car you could ever need. Powerful, easy to drive, amazing handling, practical boot, 4 seats, all you may need extra is a folding roof, and you can have one of those if you want. It certainly makes the Aston V8 look a bit silly in my eyes, which I never thought I’d say.
I could wax lyrical for another 1000 words on how much I adore this Jag, but I think I’ll just let you revel in its beauty a bit more...
And finally, my favourite picure…
Nothing but clear, empty twisty road ahead.....
Edited by Beefmeister on Friday 29th January 09:47
L100NYY said:
Hello chum,
That is a stunningly beautiful looking car and by the sound of it the drive is pretty darned good too. In fact I have to say I think that I would take one of these over a V8 Vantage, what say you Beef?
As much as it pains me to say, i would take it over the Aston. Not only is it cheaper, but its considerably faster and does the role of comfortable car much better than the Vantage. Plus its even better in the twisties. Sold.That is a stunningly beautiful looking car and by the sound of it the drive is pretty darned good too. In fact I have to say I think that I would take one of these over a V8 Vantage, what say you Beef?
Beefmeister said:
L100NYY said:
Hello chum,
That is a stunningly beautiful looking car and by the sound of it the drive is pretty darned good too. In fact I have to say I think that I would take one of these over a V8 Vantage, what say you Beef?
As much as it pains me to say, i would take it over the Aston. Not only is it cheaper, but its considerably faster and does the role of comfortable car much better than the Vantage. Plus its even better in the twisties. Sold.That is a stunningly beautiful looking car and by the sound of it the drive is pretty darned good too. In fact I have to say I think that I would take one of these over a V8 Vantage, what say you Beef?
Nice one fella, I absolutely loved Ecurie's XKR Cab when I had for some photography earlier in the year.... fast as foxtrot, sounds fantastic, handles very well & comfortable as you could possibly want when driving in relaxed fashion. I honestly preferred it to the California, and its half the price to boot.
I've said it before elsewhere, on the PH Palmersport day at Bedford earlier this year, it was the (pre 5 litre) XKR which most surprised people. There was genuine praise heaped on the car and the consensus was reached that it was unfairly underestimated.
A lot of people still held the 'old man' Jag image and a lot - as has been said on this thread already - would never have considered a 'sporting' Jag over the German M, AMG and RS offerings, but this car seriously impressed. I personally found the traction systems to be a bit too intrusive - being a RWD nut - for the track, but as a road GT/Sports it was impeccable. The ride, despite having buckets seats, was very smooth too.
From what I hear the XFR is similarly impressive. It would be nice, now there is justification, for some of the Audi, BMW and merc drivers to defect and "drive the flag".
ETA, someone in a new XKR overtook an artic on the by-pass outside my office the other day - the noise was truly awesome.
A lot of people still held the 'old man' Jag image and a lot - as has been said on this thread already - would never have considered a 'sporting' Jag over the German M, AMG and RS offerings, but this car seriously impressed. I personally found the traction systems to be a bit too intrusive - being a RWD nut - for the track, but as a road GT/Sports it was impeccable. The ride, despite having buckets seats, was very smooth too.
From what I hear the XFR is similarly impressive. It would be nice, now there is justification, for some of the Audi, BMW and merc drivers to defect and "drive the flag".
ETA, someone in a new XKR overtook an artic on the by-pass outside my office the other day - the noise was truly awesome.
Edited by Digga on Friday 4th September 15:49
Digga said:
A lot of people still held the 'old man' Jag image and a lot - as has been said on this thread already - would never have considered a 'sporting' Jag over the German M, AMG and RS offerings, but this car seriously impressed. I personally found the traction systems to be a bit too intrusive - being a RWD nut - for the track, but as a road GT/Sports it was impeccable. The ride, despite having buckets seats, was very smooth too.
10MY's have a 'dynamic' button (chequered flag) by the rotary knob for just that, definately less intrusive and sharpen the electronic gismo's too ;-)Edited by Digga on Friday 4th September 15:49
clanger said:
That is one seriously good looking car.
Excellent road is the Snake Pass especially early morning, just watch out for speed cameras and folk overtaking on double white lines
Thanks for a great report
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