ZF 6 speed gearbox.

[Ecosseven]

Hi folks,

With the 6 speed auto in the current shape XK is it possible to stop the car changing gear when you lift off the throttle?

The XK ticks all the boxes for my next car except for wanting a car with a manual gearbox.

My understanding is that in normal auto mode the car behaves like a normal automatic. Auto / sport mode still behaves like a normal automatic except the gears are held for longer before it changes up and upchanges are delayed for longer when you lift off.

Is there a full manual mode when I the car will not change up or down unless flick the paddles? (with the obvious exception of changing up at the redline and changing down to avoid the engine labouring)

I'm also assuming that regardless of how the gearbox is used because it is an automatic rather than an automated manual there will still be the usual delay in response when you press the throttle? Is this correct?

All the best.

Martin.

[Triple7]

Martin, the ZF gearbox as seen in the new aluminum XK's is exactly as you require.

In 'D' or full auto mode, the car is just a normal auto'box, if you use the paddle shift while in 'D' after a few seconds of no use reverts back to auto.

Flicking the lever over and selecting 'DS' or 'S' on the new rotary gear selector gives you 'Sports Auto' mode. Without touching the paddle shift, the gearbox is fabulous and adapts to your driving style. It keeps the gear change until the redline in 'auto' and will also blip the throttle on downchange. (There is however no engine braking, and the blip, unless you are covering the brake actually gives a momentary acceleration, not good when approaching a corner!) You can also lift off under hard acceleration and the gearbox will hold that gear, great for balanced throttle around corners. While in 'sports auto' using the paddles keeps the car in manual mode until you reselect 'D'. It is by all accounts a manual box, will only change up or inhibit change down automatically to prevent redline exceedance. It is very fast and fabulous gearbox, with instant throttle gear change response. Forget how the old XK performed this is entirely different.

As always, go to a Jag dealer and see for yourself.

I can't wait to see how it performs when linked up to the new e-diff on the 5.0ltr powered XKR/XFR.

Edited by Triple7 on Sunday 8th February 11:21

[Ecosseven]

Thanks Triple7. It will be a while yet before I’m in a position to buy. I will have a budget of around 20K which will hopefully secure a good quality car with plenty life left in it. I tend to keep my cars for around 5 years and cover around 10 -12K miles a year. I can live with the running costs and depreciation as long as the car proves to be reliable and get enjoyment from driving and owning it.

Sounds like the ‘box is very good. If I do decide to go for an XK it will be interesting to see how much time I spend in auto mode and how often I will use the paddles.

Thanks again.

Martin.

[a8hex]

I'm sure with the XKR I drove that once you put it in manual mode and changed with the paddles that it did not automatically change up when you hit the redline. When I floored it to overtake someone it bounced off the rev limiter before I could find the up paddle. I don't know if it would have changed up if I didn't do it soon. It wouldn't let you change down causing the engine to over rev.

As to the speed, the figures from Jaguar indicate that the change speed was over twice as fast as any of the electromechanical systems that were available when the new XK launched. I'm sure if you play around with google you'll find a link to the details of this. They produced a table showing the gear change times of various cars at the time. It might have been with the original lauch posting that was here on PH.

[Triple7]

The first XK's are nearly £25k, so not long to wait!

G