Sportbrake first drive
Discussion
Took our new Sportbrake demo home tonight for its first decent run out.
Really quite impressed with it. Have generally avoided the 2.2D if possible but this is also the first 200ps 13 model year I have driven too and it seems to match the Sportbrake very well. Just seemed keener to get up and go and quicker response to throttle inputs than the "old" 190ps engine.
Was also very impressed with the new standard spec stereo too. Ignore the old willy waving wattage figures, this is much better than the previous system.
Leaves me with a dilemma as I had just specced up my next demo as a 3.0D saloon Luxury with some nice bits (Polaris White -free! Charcoal interior with Jet headlining, 825w Meridian surround sound, 19" Aquila alloys and park aid pack). We are capped at £40k for our demos so that really restricts any options on a 3.0D Sportbrake due to the higher entry price. Do I stick with the 3.0D saloon or go for a tricked up 2.2D Sportbrake Sport? (Oxymoron?!)
Some lame phone pictures of "my" 2.2D Sportbrake Sport:
Really quite impressed with it. Have generally avoided the 2.2D if possible but this is also the first 200ps 13 model year I have driven too and it seems to match the Sportbrake very well. Just seemed keener to get up and go and quicker response to throttle inputs than the "old" 190ps engine.
Was also very impressed with the new standard spec stereo too. Ignore the old willy waving wattage figures, this is much better than the previous system.
Leaves me with a dilemma as I had just specced up my next demo as a 3.0D saloon Luxury with some nice bits (Polaris White -free! Charcoal interior with Jet headlining, 825w Meridian surround sound, 19" Aquila alloys and park aid pack). We are capped at £40k for our demos so that really restricts any options on a 3.0D Sportbrake due to the higher entry price. Do I stick with the 3.0D saloon or go for a tricked up 2.2D Sportbrake Sport? (Oxymoron?!)
Some lame phone pictures of "my" 2.2D Sportbrake Sport:
Interesting dilemna.
I was recently 'persuaded' to test drive a 2.2D XF (190), and having started it my initial thought was 'no thanks'. However, in the interests of fairness, I carried on and by the time I'd travelled less than one mile I was definitely not a fan. I thought the throttle response 'could be improved' and then it seemed to want to stay in higher gears all the time, so much so that it was 'grumbling' as I went around a low speed uphill bend. I kept using the paddles to drop a few gears.
More impressive on the motorway at a steady cruise, but it didn't do it for me in slower speed driving/manoeuvring.
I then tried the 3.0D and within 50m much preferred the throttle response and initial take up.
I've no idea whether others have felt the same, but if you feel that the newer 200 2.2D has a good throttle response, then that might help persuade / convert a few more customers. Of course, I presume there's more benefit to a dealer if customers upgrade to a 3.0d, but not at the cost of a lost sale though
Personally, as a private buyer, I still prefer petrol, but I can see why diesel is the main seller.
I was recently 'persuaded' to test drive a 2.2D XF (190), and having started it my initial thought was 'no thanks'. However, in the interests of fairness, I carried on and by the time I'd travelled less than one mile I was definitely not a fan. I thought the throttle response 'could be improved' and then it seemed to want to stay in higher gears all the time, so much so that it was 'grumbling' as I went around a low speed uphill bend. I kept using the paddles to drop a few gears.
More impressive on the motorway at a steady cruise, but it didn't do it for me in slower speed driving/manoeuvring.
I then tried the 3.0D and within 50m much preferred the throttle response and initial take up.
I've no idea whether others have felt the same, but if you feel that the newer 200 2.2D has a good throttle response, then that might help persuade / convert a few more customers. Of course, I presume there's more benefit to a dealer if customers upgrade to a 3.0d, but not at the cost of a lost sale though
Personally, as a private buyer, I still prefer petrol, but I can see why diesel is the main seller.
Ashley1111 said:
Took our new Sportbrake demo home tonight for its first decent run out.
Leaves me with a dilemma as I had just specced up my next demo as a 3.0D saloon Luxury with some nice bits (Polaris White -free! Charcoal interior with Jet headlining, 825w Meridian surround sound, 19" Aquila alloys and park aid pack). We are capped at £40k for our demos so that really restricts any options on a 3.0D Sportbrake due to the higher entry price. Do I stick with the 3.0D saloon or go for a tricked up 2.2D Sportbrake Sport?
If it's supposed to be a demo, then I would have thought most peeps would be looking at a 2.2? Leaves me with a dilemma as I had just specced up my next demo as a 3.0D saloon Luxury with some nice bits (Polaris White -free! Charcoal interior with Jet headlining, 825w Meridian surround sound, 19" Aquila alloys and park aid pack). We are capped at £40k for our demos so that really restricts any options on a 3.0D Sportbrake due to the higher entry price. Do I stick with the 3.0D saloon or go for a tricked up 2.2D Sportbrake Sport?
Trying to persuade the wife to jump out of the FL2 and get a Sportbrake. Real shame it's not awd in the UK, as that is a big reason for the Land Rover.
Triple7 said:
If it's supposed to be a demo, then I would have thought most peeps would be looking at a 2.2?
Trying to persuade the wife to jump out of the FL2 and get a Sportbrake. Real shame it's not awd in the UK, as that is a big reason for the Land Rover.
We run 7 different XF demos / loan cars so not really an issue in terms of having the right car for customers to drive. Just like to spec something that I will want to get in and drive every day and pay my tax on each month. Trying to persuade the wife to jump out of the FL2 and get a Sportbrake. Real shame it's not awd in the UK, as that is a big reason for the Land Rover.
Hmmmm decisions decisions........
If you can get an XFRS within your 40k limit I will happily take it off your hands......seriously park royal is one of my local dealers and its good to see enthusiastic dealers on pistonheads. Had my XFR for 3 years now and but not ready to switch to a 2.2 diesel just yet. Sportbrake looks good but needs AWD and XFR engine to get my interest.
jagseven said:
If you can get an XFRS within your 40k limit I will happily take it off your hands......seriously park royal is one of my local dealers and its good to see enthusiastic dealers on pistonheads. Had my XFR for 3 years now and but not ready to switch to a 2.2 diesel just yet. Sportbrake looks good but needs AWD and XFR engine to get my interest.
As much as I would love to, as my fuel cost are minimal, the tax on an XFR would scare the shyite out of me......!Looking forward to getting my hands on an XFR-S as soon as possible and agree that a 4wd Sportbrake version would be the nuts, but still no news on either petrol for Sportbrake or any 4wd for the UK unfortunately.
Give me a shout next time you are in the showroom so that I can jot down your details and keep you in the loop with any track days, ride and drive days that come up if you like?
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