My XKR - the waiting is over
Discussion
I finally have the car of my dreams. (Well, the latest car of my dreams. My dreams are very varied and change every 18 to 24 months). A 2008 4.2 XKR, Botanical Green, charcoal leather, bog standard car. Fortunately the 20" Senta's and premium sound (with Dolby Pro Logic) were standard by then, because the wheels at least are essential in my view.
I am very much into the Botanical Green as it is darker than most greens yet more subtle than black.
For non-XKR owners let me describe what it's like. Without keyless entry, you just unlock via the fob as usual, but then you put the key back in your pocket as the car has keyless start and senses the fob in your pocket. The fobs are not rechargable, but when the battery gets low it displays a warning on the dash apparently.
Pushing the start button ignites the engine and it revs a little as you do so, letting out that deep, delicious V8 burble. At this point you smile and you can't help it. In Drive mode the car feels lively but measured, nicely suited to round town or on the motorway. Throttle response is better than the X350 XJR and it's very eager to get going. It emits a deep burble as you pull away through 1,000 to 2,000 revs which is audible inside but never intrusive. When in Drive the paddles work but it reverts back to normal auto after a few seconds unless you keep using them. The car feels a lot firmer than an XJR (thankfully) and rides over low speed potholes etc much more smoothly. It feels good. You can sit back and fiddle with the touch screen. It's a nice and crisp display and generally well designed (although I can think of some improvements regards speeding up the navigation through menus - the pointless animation delays access, for example). The satnav works very well and the lady is like Radio 4 on stilts with a silver plum in her mouth. I wonder if she is from Eaton like the supercharger. The cabin is a very nice place to be and the aluminium weave with piano black makes it feel very contemporary. It is not, however, as comfortable as the XJR which was always so effortless at shrinking long journeys, but it's still very relaxing rest assured.
If you floor it the kickdown is quick to engage, and it squats down just a little; measurably less than the XJR) and simply hammers towards the horizon. Performance is very similar to X350 XJR, however, it does feel a little faster, plus it has a more lithe feel so you sense much more control. The steering is about twelfty thousand times better than the XJR.
In Sport Drive mode the car takes on new urgency, and the gears are held longer than Drive. This mode is good for paddle usage - gears are engaged quickly, although delays are noticeable they are measured in hundreds of milliseconds, not seconds. A big improvement over the XJR 6 speed J gate manual mode, I can tell you! If you change down the throttle is automatically blipped, although there is a momentary feeling of free-wheeling (e.g. quarter of a second) which can feel strange - much exaggerated when using paddles in normal Drive mode (not recommended). As you press on over winding A roads the car feels very grippy and precise. The ride is good, the body control feels right for the car and it does not roll around in the bends - although I am sure a 911 owner would think they have stepped into a 2CV - and I think the set up is a great balance. I'm interested in trying a 5.0 which is firmer, but I can't otherwise I would have to sell my body to get one. And that is not going to happen for so many reasons.
It likes a drink. 25 to 26 mpg on mixed motorway driving, which is some 50mph SPECS traffic, some going with the flow, and some pressing on. Unless you are cruising at 55 or 60 I doubt you'll ever do better than that. My XJR was probably similar now I come to think of it. Overtaking ability is very impressive, like the XJR, but all in all the XKR kind of feels like it is putting in less effort. Brake feel is a lot better than the XJR, I am actually appreciating them a lot, gives me good confidence.
Anyway, I have written enough - I wanted to share this those of us who have not yet had the chance to drive the XKR, and for the existing XKR owners: now I know what you mean!!
Seriously, this is a splendid car. I am feeling quite emotional!
I am very much into the Botanical Green as it is darker than most greens yet more subtle than black.
For non-XKR owners let me describe what it's like. Without keyless entry, you just unlock via the fob as usual, but then you put the key back in your pocket as the car has keyless start and senses the fob in your pocket. The fobs are not rechargable, but when the battery gets low it displays a warning on the dash apparently.
Pushing the start button ignites the engine and it revs a little as you do so, letting out that deep, delicious V8 burble. At this point you smile and you can't help it. In Drive mode the car feels lively but measured, nicely suited to round town or on the motorway. Throttle response is better than the X350 XJR and it's very eager to get going. It emits a deep burble as you pull away through 1,000 to 2,000 revs which is audible inside but never intrusive. When in Drive the paddles work but it reverts back to normal auto after a few seconds unless you keep using them. The car feels a lot firmer than an XJR (thankfully) and rides over low speed potholes etc much more smoothly. It feels good. You can sit back and fiddle with the touch screen. It's a nice and crisp display and generally well designed (although I can think of some improvements regards speeding up the navigation through menus - the pointless animation delays access, for example). The satnav works very well and the lady is like Radio 4 on stilts with a silver plum in her mouth. I wonder if she is from Eaton like the supercharger. The cabin is a very nice place to be and the aluminium weave with piano black makes it feel very contemporary. It is not, however, as comfortable as the XJR which was always so effortless at shrinking long journeys, but it's still very relaxing rest assured.
If you floor it the kickdown is quick to engage, and it squats down just a little; measurably less than the XJR) and simply hammers towards the horizon. Performance is very similar to X350 XJR, however, it does feel a little faster, plus it has a more lithe feel so you sense much more control. The steering is about twelfty thousand times better than the XJR.
In Sport Drive mode the car takes on new urgency, and the gears are held longer than Drive. This mode is good for paddle usage - gears are engaged quickly, although delays are noticeable they are measured in hundreds of milliseconds, not seconds. A big improvement over the XJR 6 speed J gate manual mode, I can tell you! If you change down the throttle is automatically blipped, although there is a momentary feeling of free-wheeling (e.g. quarter of a second) which can feel strange - much exaggerated when using paddles in normal Drive mode (not recommended). As you press on over winding A roads the car feels very grippy and precise. The ride is good, the body control feels right for the car and it does not roll around in the bends - although I am sure a 911 owner would think they have stepped into a 2CV - and I think the set up is a great balance. I'm interested in trying a 5.0 which is firmer, but I can't otherwise I would have to sell my body to get one. And that is not going to happen for so many reasons.
It likes a drink. 25 to 26 mpg on mixed motorway driving, which is some 50mph SPECS traffic, some going with the flow, and some pressing on. Unless you are cruising at 55 or 60 I doubt you'll ever do better than that. My XJR was probably similar now I come to think of it. Overtaking ability is very impressive, like the XJR, but all in all the XKR kind of feels like it is putting in less effort. Brake feel is a lot better than the XJR, I am actually appreciating them a lot, gives me good confidence.
Anyway, I have written enough - I wanted to share this those of us who have not yet had the chance to drive the XKR, and for the existing XKR owners: now I know what you mean!!
Seriously, this is a splendid car. I am feeling quite emotional!
Congratulations, she looks absolutely lovely. You must be very proud. If we can be of any help as a club for these cars please do not hesitate to contact us at www.xkec.co.uk
Edited by markgregory1 on Monday 3rd August 11:48
Edited by markgregory1 on Monday 3rd August 11:49
Lovely car - the Botanical Green, as you say is somewhat more subtle tahn black.
For someone who is about to join others with XKR's and already counting down the days to this Thursday you haven't helped my impatience
As a previous 911 owner, I'm ceratinly not expecting the car to be more of the same, but something a bit different and more relaxing for a longer drive.... with a turn of speed when it suits.
Again lovely car, great description!
For someone who is about to join others with XKR's and already counting down the days to this Thursday you haven't helped my impatience
As a previous 911 owner, I'm ceratinly not expecting the car to be more of the same, but something a bit different and more relaxing for a longer drive.... with a turn of speed when it suits.
Again lovely car, great description!
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