New XJ's, Browns Lane and that F-Type......
Discussion
New XJ
Had my first go in the new XJ yesterday, thought I'd share my thoughts from what was a very limited exposure to the car...
For those who can't be bothered to read on and who just flick to the photos, I thought it to be awesome!
As an observer the car looks fabulous on the road. It outclasses it's rivals IMHO and even upstages the rest of the 'new' Jaguar range. It certainly has presence from the exterior, however on the inside the cars exterior dimensions shrink around you. We all know from the photos the interior environment is fabulous, there is plenty of room up front and easy to find the right driving position with the infinitely adjustable seats, side bolsters were on the Portfolio trim cars I drove, not sure if that is standard across the range? I did find the seat base quite firm however, maybe it just needs a bit more bedding in. Climbing in the Start-stop button was obscured by the steering wheel, but after ignition the LCD displays came alive. I found them ok, not as hi-definition as I would have liked them to have been. I'm sure a lot of thought has gone into their intuitiveness, but with my short drives, I didn't really see instantly the information I was looking for, etc. I thought a digital speedo would have been a great addition. The route we drove was over, what I considered to be terrible roads. Horrible cambers , collapsed edges, potholes etc. The car rode them beautifully, even at speed with. You never felt you were driving a large car. It never wanted to twist or shake over the uneven roads. The diesel pulls beautifully, not clattery and I'm sure will be the majority of sales. However, IMHO a big Jag like this deserves a petrol V8. I was not in the slightest disappointed by the normally aspirated 5.0 V8. It felt extremely quick as the figures for 0-60 suggest, it sounded fantastic and for me the engine of choice. (The Supersport is going to be insane!) In 'Sport' mode with the active dynamics engaged, the dials turn red and the seatbelt pre-tensions pulling you further back into the seat, for what the car expects will be some spirited driving. The ride is not anything like the outgoing XJ, with a mechanical front end (from the XFR) giving awesome handling and an air suspended rear, it was firmer than you would have been used to, but only Jaguar can get the perfect balance for both comfort and performance when you need it.
In the rear of the SWB, the seats are very comfy (but why don't they recline?) I understand they have been re-sculpted to provide more head room. I would like to have had a bit more mind you. Although I had a good 2 inches above my head (I'm 6ft), driving spiritedly over bumps may result in tall rear occupants hitting their heads? Also with my seat left in my driving position and lowered to the floor, I found that I would have been more comfortable in the rear if I could have got a bit more foot under the seat in front to stretch my legs out, rather than sitting with knees bent. However there was plenty of knee clearance from the front seats. The space across the back was in abundance with a large divan separating both rear occupants. The view from the rear towards the front I thought fantastic, with a beautiful piece of wood stretching from both rear doors and sweeping across the front of the dash. Jaguar also provided a LWB to view, which I found solved all my criticisms from the SWB and I thought offered rear passengers the best seat in the house!
All in all I thought the XJ is a very special place to be in and be seen in. Well done Jaguar.
Browns Lane
Also found myself with a spare hour in Coventry last week. Thought I'd make my pilgrimage to Browns Lane, thought see the factories where it all started, well I was rather saddened to see it had all gone. Not that fact the factories had been pulled down, I expected that, but there was not one bit of reflection honouring the heritage of Jaguar, just the JDHT building.
Oh I guess you want to know what about the F-Type well here you go.......
Saving the best 'til last.........if any owner wants to get rid of theirs to make room for their new Mclaren, I'll provide it with a very loving home.
G
Had my first go in the new XJ yesterday, thought I'd share my thoughts from what was a very limited exposure to the car...
For those who can't be bothered to read on and who just flick to the photos, I thought it to be awesome!
As an observer the car looks fabulous on the road. It outclasses it's rivals IMHO and even upstages the rest of the 'new' Jaguar range. It certainly has presence from the exterior, however on the inside the cars exterior dimensions shrink around you. We all know from the photos the interior environment is fabulous, there is plenty of room up front and easy to find the right driving position with the infinitely adjustable seats, side bolsters were on the Portfolio trim cars I drove, not sure if that is standard across the range? I did find the seat base quite firm however, maybe it just needs a bit more bedding in. Climbing in the Start-stop button was obscured by the steering wheel, but after ignition the LCD displays came alive. I found them ok, not as hi-definition as I would have liked them to have been. I'm sure a lot of thought has gone into their intuitiveness, but with my short drives, I didn't really see instantly the information I was looking for, etc. I thought a digital speedo would have been a great addition. The route we drove was over, what I considered to be terrible roads. Horrible cambers , collapsed edges, potholes etc. The car rode them beautifully, even at speed with. You never felt you were driving a large car. It never wanted to twist or shake over the uneven roads. The diesel pulls beautifully, not clattery and I'm sure will be the majority of sales. However, IMHO a big Jag like this deserves a petrol V8. I was not in the slightest disappointed by the normally aspirated 5.0 V8. It felt extremely quick as the figures for 0-60 suggest, it sounded fantastic and for me the engine of choice. (The Supersport is going to be insane!) In 'Sport' mode with the active dynamics engaged, the dials turn red and the seatbelt pre-tensions pulling you further back into the seat, for what the car expects will be some spirited driving. The ride is not anything like the outgoing XJ, with a mechanical front end (from the XFR) giving awesome handling and an air suspended rear, it was firmer than you would have been used to, but only Jaguar can get the perfect balance for both comfort and performance when you need it.
In the rear of the SWB, the seats are very comfy (but why don't they recline?) I understand they have been re-sculpted to provide more head room. I would like to have had a bit more mind you. Although I had a good 2 inches above my head (I'm 6ft), driving spiritedly over bumps may result in tall rear occupants hitting their heads? Also with my seat left in my driving position and lowered to the floor, I found that I would have been more comfortable in the rear if I could have got a bit more foot under the seat in front to stretch my legs out, rather than sitting with knees bent. However there was plenty of knee clearance from the front seats. The space across the back was in abundance with a large divan separating both rear occupants. The view from the rear towards the front I thought fantastic, with a beautiful piece of wood stretching from both rear doors and sweeping across the front of the dash. Jaguar also provided a LWB to view, which I found solved all my criticisms from the SWB and I thought offered rear passengers the best seat in the house!
All in all I thought the XJ is a very special place to be in and be seen in. Well done Jaguar.
Browns Lane
Also found myself with a spare hour in Coventry last week. Thought I'd make my pilgrimage to Browns Lane, thought see the factories where it all started, well I was rather saddened to see it had all gone. Not that fact the factories had been pulled down, I expected that, but there was not one bit of reflection honouring the heritage of Jaguar, just the JDHT building.
Oh I guess you want to know what about the F-Type well here you go.......
Saving the best 'til last.........if any owner wants to get rid of theirs to make room for their new Mclaren, I'll provide it with a very loving home.
G
Edited by Triple7 on Wednesday 17th March 23:11
Does anyone else think the Jaguar mascot on the rear of the new cars is leaping the wrong way? It should be leaping from left to right!
As for the rest of the car, I think it looks stunning even without having seen one in the flesh yet. In fact I might pop off to the Jaguar dealer to see if I can spot one. Ok I don't like the rear that much but at least it looks different.
As for the rest of the car, I think it looks stunning even without having seen one in the flesh yet. In fact I might pop off to the Jaguar dealer to see if I can spot one. Ok I don't like the rear that much but at least it looks different.
Dear god, that is one ugly sonofab
h. It looks like a large rep-mobile, no trace of Jaguar apart from the badge. The guy who designed the back - does he have a Labrador or a Spaniel?
It almost makes the XF good looking.
WIlliam Lyons, where are you?
h. It looks like a large rep-mobile, no trace of Jaguar apart from the badge. The guy who designed the back - does he have a Labrador or a Spaniel?It almost makes the XF good looking.
WIlliam Lyons, where are you?
Edited by Simpo Two on Thursday 18th March 12:29
Having driven the new XJ and having owned S types, XJ's and XK's I can say what an amazing and necessary leap forward this cat is.
When I saw the first photos I wondered.
It looks good in the flesh and drives wonderfully. I think it is something very special
The performance from the 3 litre diesel is only marginally slower than a n XKR and does 40 to the gallon. The interior is also very special.
Sorry guys things have to change, sticking with a misguided loyalty to the Lyons 'school' may have killed the company. In his day Jaguar was a ground breaker, with this car the ground is truly broken for a company that lived too long looking back.
SCW
When I saw the first photos I wondered.
It looks good in the flesh and drives wonderfully. I think it is something very special
The performance from the 3 litre diesel is only marginally slower than a n XKR and does 40 to the gallon. The interior is also very special.
Sorry guys things have to change, sticking with a misguided loyalty to the Lyons 'school' may have killed the company. In his day Jaguar was a ground breaker, with this car the ground is truly broken for a company that lived too long looking back.
SCW
Triple7 said:
Browns Lane
Also found myself with a spare hour in Coventry last week. Thought I'd make my pilgrimage to Browns Lane, thought see the factories where it all started, well I was rather saddened to see it had all gone. Not that fact the factories had been pulled down, I expected that, but there was not one bit of reflection honouring the heritage of Jaguar, just the JDHT building.
in fairness it will be known as Lyons Park.Also found myself with a spare hour in Coventry last week. Thought I'd make my pilgrimage to Browns Lane, thought see the factories where it all started, well I was rather saddened to see it had all gone. Not that fact the factories had been pulled down, I expected that, but there was not one bit of reflection honouring the heritage of Jaguar, just the JDHT building.
http://www.lyonspark.com/library/documents/2036.pd...
The same has happened when AGCO / Massey Ferguson left Banner Lane in Coventry too. There where some nice 1930's blocks which could have easily found a new use if the developer really wanted to. Instead they were demolished to make make way for identikit housing. Sadly it seems to be the way is in this country.
before
after
before
after
SeanCW said:
Having driven the new XJ and having owned S types, XJ's and XK's I can say what an amazing and necessary leap forward this cat is.
When I saw the first photos I wondered.
It looks good in the flesh and drives wonderfully. I think it is something very special
The performance from the 3 litre diesel is only marginally slower than a n XKR and does 40 to the gallon. The interior is also very special.
Sorry guys things have to change, sticking with a misguided loyalty to the Lyons 'school' may have killed the company. In his day Jaguar was a ground breaker, with this car the ground is truly broken for a company that lived too long looking back.
I've no doubt it drives beautifully; they just forgot about the outside - a sort of bWhen I saw the first photos I wondered.
It looks good in the flesh and drives wonderfully. I think it is something very special
The performance from the 3 litre diesel is only marginally slower than a n XKR and does 40 to the gallon. The interior is also very special.
Sorry guys things have to change, sticking with a misguided loyalty to the Lyons 'school' may have killed the company. In his day Jaguar was a ground breaker, with this car the ground is truly broken for a company that lived too long looking back.
d BMW/Audi cross. If I can't have Lyons, what about Ian Callum?
dan tournay said:
The same has happened when AGCO / Massey Ferguson left Banner Lane in Coventry too. There where some nice 1930's blocks which could have easily found a new use if the developer really wanted to. Instead they were demolished to make make way for identikit housing. Sadly it seems to be the way is in this country.
before
after
OMG, what a shame.....before
after
Whoever allowed the large banked section of track at the Brooklands circuit to be bulldozed through, to allow access to Tesco should also be arrested!
Edited by Triple7 on Thursday 18th March 18:41
Those are THE wheels to haveI've seen quite a few of them on the roads now and unsurprisingly there are loads of them parked out the back of Fort Dunlop.
The only bits I'm not convinced by are black c pillar which looks odd on a car that doesn't have tinted windows and the size of the leaper on the boot.
Don't know if this Ian Callum podcast has been posted before. Worth a listen
The only bits I'm not convinced by are black c pillar which looks odd on a car that doesn't have tinted windows and the size of the leaper on the boot.
Don't know if this Ian Callum podcast has been posted before. Worth a listen
The F Type story
http://www.aronline.co.uk/index.htm?xj42devf.htm
started a new topic on this too
http://www.aronline.co.uk/index.htm?xj42devf.htm
started a new topic on this too
Edited by Cerbman on Friday 19th March 16:09
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