XFR test drive
Discussion
I wanted to report my test drive on the Jaguar XFR.I am lucky enough to own a small number of cars including a TVR Cerbera 4.5 Red Rose but I need to replace my car that needs to earn its keep as I do a lot of motorway miles each year.
As I own an X Type 3 litre sport I test drove the S type R four years ago (as I had driven a friends XKR) and was totally underwhelmed. I thought the engine was underpowered the auto gearbox was not responsive and seemed to lose too much power between 'shifts' the chassis seemed soft and 'rolled' when pushed hard in bends and I did not like the front grille or rear end even without the brightwork. As a result I did not buy one and bought the superb Monaro VXR instead for about the same money.
I had read how good the XFR was in the press and so I asked for a test drive fully expecting it to show similar faults to the S type. I was completely and utterly wrong. This car is absolutely superb and I cannot fault it in any way - performance - handling - styling - interior - they are all fantastic. Any perceived 'faults' in the S type R have been completely corrected in the XFR. The day I drove it was rainy and the roads were greasy but as much as I tried I could not make it step out of line with the DSC on and the acceleration in Sport mode was absolutely excellent. I really cannot fault it apart from 2 small things - I still think Jaguar should realise some of its customers prefer to change gears and the demonstrator was grey not black. I have driven the M6 and S6 in the last year and the Jag comes out on top by some margin.
My thanks to Laura and HA Fox in Southampton. I am now saving hard for the deposit.
As I own an X Type 3 litre sport I test drove the S type R four years ago (as I had driven a friends XKR) and was totally underwhelmed. I thought the engine was underpowered the auto gearbox was not responsive and seemed to lose too much power between 'shifts' the chassis seemed soft and 'rolled' when pushed hard in bends and I did not like the front grille or rear end even without the brightwork. As a result I did not buy one and bought the superb Monaro VXR instead for about the same money.
I had read how good the XFR was in the press and so I asked for a test drive fully expecting it to show similar faults to the S type. I was completely and utterly wrong. This car is absolutely superb and I cannot fault it in any way - performance - handling - styling - interior - they are all fantastic. Any perceived 'faults' in the S type R have been completely corrected in the XFR. The day I drove it was rainy and the roads were greasy but as much as I tried I could not make it step out of line with the DSC on and the acceleration in Sport mode was absolutely excellent. I really cannot fault it apart from 2 small things - I still think Jaguar should realise some of its customers prefer to change gears and the demonstrator was grey not black. I have driven the M6 and S6 in the last year and the Jag comes out on top by some margin.
My thanks to Laura and HA Fox in Southampton. I am now saving hard for the deposit.
V10JRR said:
I really cannot fault it apart from 2 small things - I still think Jaguar should realise some of its customers prefer to change gears and the demonstrator was grey not black.
Glad you liked it. Did you not do the following :-a. put it in 's' mode
b. select the dynamic setting
c. use the steering paddles
if you did then you would have had full control over the gearbox, with gears held up to the rev limiter and no change up/down unless you wanted to.
The transmission is fantastic on this car. I drove a DCT M3 and the upshifts/downshifts are in the same 'speed' league as these dual clutch gearboxes.
almack said:
V10JRR said:
I really cannot fault it apart from 2 small things - I still think Jaguar should realise some of its customers prefer to change gears and the demonstrator was grey not black.
Glad you liked it. Did you not do the following :-a. put it in 's' mode
b. select the dynamic setting
c. use the steering paddles
if you did then you would have had full control over the gearbox, with gears held up to the rev limiter and no change up/down unless you wanted to.
The transmission is fantastic on this car. I drove a DCT M3 and the upshifts/downshifts are in the same 'speed' league as these dual clutch gearboxes.
What impressed me most about the XFR (and XKR for that matter) was the way it deployed the power. When I drove both at Gaydon it was absolutely pi$$ing down but both cars ripped up to very illegal figures as if the track were dry. I'd almost have thought they were 4 wheel drive if I didnt know better. They were simply stunning.
I can't wait for the new series of Top Gear and the Stig to put them through their paces....
I can't wait for the new series of Top Gear and the Stig to put them through their paces....
I test drove the XKR at Monticello here in NY this weekend. I have to back up what others were saying the car is just freaking amazing.
I am very picky and will rip even the best cars apart. The 2010 XKR however I cannot fault in any way. I have to wait 6 months before I buy one and thats gonna be a painfully long wait.
I was flying pretty fast down the track within 2 laps. It is very easy to drive. I never put it in drive the whole time. Always kept it in sport mode. I was there to put the car thru it's paces.
Next we went out on the road and it was so much fun. I did however start to make my girlfriend car sick. Seems being pushed back in her seat coming out of every corner was a bit much.
I just hope there is some after market support for this car. I would love to get it up to 600hp and really start showing up my friends in their ferraris and lambos.
I am very picky and will rip even the best cars apart. The 2010 XKR however I cannot fault in any way. I have to wait 6 months before I buy one and thats gonna be a painfully long wait.
I was flying pretty fast down the track within 2 laps. It is very easy to drive. I never put it in drive the whole time. Always kept it in sport mode. I was there to put the car thru it's paces.
Next we went out on the road and it was so much fun. I did however start to make my girlfriend car sick. Seems being pushed back in her seat coming out of every corner was a bit much.
I just hope there is some after market support for this car. I would love to get it up to 600hp and really start showing up my friends in their ferraris and lambos.
turboman808 said:
I just hope there is some after market support for this car. I would love to get it up to 600hp and really start showing up my friends in their ferraris and lambos.
It's your lucky day 
http://www.paramount-performance.com/acatalog/Jagu...
ehasler said:
turboman808 said:
I just hope there is some after market support for this car. I would love to get it up to 600hp and really start showing up my friends in their ferraris and lambos.
It's your lucky day http://www.paramount-performance.com/acatalog/Jagu...
I honestly feel the 0-60 time they post is not true. I have 2 cars with faster 0-60 times and this car feels much faster.
Get some sticky track tires and bump it to 600 hp and this is gonna be one monster kitty.
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