Jaguar track day at Gaydon - XFS v XFR v XK v XKR

[jagseven]

First a big thank you to Jaguar for running this event - it was a great day, very relaxed and a rare chance to see what a modern jag can do without speed cameras and traffic to worry about. It was also good to see a static new XJ - much better looking than in the photos and I even liked the rear!

Personal highlight for me was hitting the speed limiter (an indicated 165mph) on the back straight in an XFR and then again in an XKR. It was remarkably undramatic and the car felt perfectly stable. After that 70mph felt ridiculously slow and cornering hard at motorway speeds seemed normal.

The demo drive by a professional in an XK showed just how hard the car can brake and corner. A drive on the skid pan showed how DSC and winter mode worked in the XF.

Some observations:
The 5.0 XK (nonsupercharged) felt faster than I was expecting and not having a supercharger allowed you to hear more of the V8 sound which was nice.
Ditto the diesel in the XFS - after a slight lag from rest it went like a rocket and I was surprised how well it responded to using the paddles to down change for the corners.
The XFR and XKR never feel anything other than bloody quick even on a wide test track.
I preferred the XFR to the XKR to drive - but this was the as much due to the seats and driving position (and perhaps familiarity) as much as anything. The XKR I tried was also the convertible so didn't feel quite as stiff in the corners.
The brakes worked brilliantly with no fade (how often do you get the chance to try an emergency stop from 150mph?) and I was told hadn't been changed for the whole 4-day event.

Overall a fabulous day out and well worth going if you get the chance and it makes me appreciate even more what a damn good car the XFR is

It was very difficult to keep my speed down on the way home.....

[Triple7]

Only 165mph, you must have been holding back on the corners before the straights!

Agree, with your comments. We went looking at the XFS and XFR. Thought the seats, steering wheel & driving positions were perfect. The XKR didn't feel as good. Funny as I thought it great when I owned one!

However once driven the XKR, it was no contest........

Did you see the AM One-77?!

[steve-p]

Thanks for the write-up - sounds like a great day. I'm hoping they will come a bit nearer in the summer - Silverstone would be ideal

[Triple7]

steve-p said:

Thanks for the write-up - sounds like a great day. I'm hoping they will come a bit nearer in the summer - Silverstone would be ideal

Funny you mention Silverstone, you may just get your wish.......

[jagseven]

No, didn't see a One-77 - where was that hiding?

[Triple7]

It was out on the track with us!

[cardigankid]

jagseven said:

The 5.0 XK (nonsupercharged) felt faster than I was expecting and not having a supercharger allowed you to hear more of the V8 sound which was nice

So do you think you would take a 5.0 Portfolio over an XKR and if not why not, if being bloody quick isn't necessarily the most enjoyable feature every day?

jagseven said:

Ditto the diesel in the XFS - after a slight lag from rest it went like a rocket and I was surprised how well it responded to using the paddles to down change for the corners

And again, would you have an XFS over an XFR given that if you turn all the banzai buttons off and go gently you will get excellent economy, and lower VED?

jagseven said:

I preferred the XFR to the XKR to drive - but this was the as much due to the seats and driving position (and perhaps familiarity) as much as anything......

At risk of sounding like a cracked record, the XFR seats, now available on the XFS, are Recaro-style, and infinitely superior to the ones in the XKR - to me the XK seats spoil the whole experience, which is a pity because otherwise these cars are near perfection.

Thanks for the review!

[SeanCW]

I have had drives in the range.

And the thing I was left with is how dull the XK interiors are compared to XF and new XJ.

I believe the XKR should have the most special interior. But yawn, it seems black or ivory interiors are the only ones you see. And the aluminium veneers is dreadful

It had an update at the same time.

I think that the veneer and trim colour options are dull. Why not carbon fibre and london tan options. However got a feeling its down to people being safe in their choices.

How many astons do you see that are not black grey or silver with black interiors.

[Triple7]

I was surprised how much the new XJ's interior dated the XF's!

I guess the XK is the first of the new Jags. The interior has got progressively better. The first XK's without the lux sport (which is now standard) were terrible for a Jaguar.

[cardigankid]

SeanCW said:

I think that the veneer and trim colour options are dull. Why not carbon fibre and london tan options. However got a feeling its down to people being safe in their choices.

How many astons do you see that are not black grey or silver with black interiors.

I agree. The 'Piano Black' looks like shiny plastic, I wouldn't give you a halfpenny for it, and the standard aluminium just looks like nothing. And virtually every XK you see has those finishes. Similarly the Astons. Who would do that when you can have magnificent mahogany and walnut veneers?

In fairness, the 'dark mesh' aluminium which is available on the XKR looks a lot better,but if it was up to me I would have caramel with Burr Walnut, or even better Burr Elm, with a wood/leather steering wheel. I think that would also look good with the dark mesh on the left and right side dash panels.

Also, what happened to all the coloured ali mesh veneers and circle polished metal that was shown on the 2009 XK brochure? I only saw one car with the circle polished metal and it looked superb - really handmade.

To my mind they needn't totall revamp the interior. They should get rid of the little chrome trims and streamline it. The range of wood veneers is superb. If they want to bling up the metal options a bit what about beaten copper or gold leaf?

Edited by cardigankid on Wednesday 31st March 10:48

[steve-p]

It's personal choice though. I like the piano black and alloy finish and wouldn't have bought one that was any more woody. Wood for me only looks good when it's the whole dash, like Jaguars of old, or current Bentleys. Strips and fillers here and there just highlight the plastic bits.

[a8hex]

Nah! XKs should have leather dash boards, although Sir William wouldn't have used real leather there, he'd have got away with something cheaper that looked like leather.

[jagseven]

The XJ certainly moves the game along but then I'd expect it to given how much more it costs compared to an XF
The XK felt like an older design which of course it is - the rotating gear selector felt like an after thought compared to how it looks in the XF

The XFS was very impressive but I was less keen on the slight lag when accelerating from rest - I noticed this on the slalom runs we did - not sure if this was turbo lag or a software issue
I was told the XFS had the dynamic and interior pack (same suspension and seats as the XFR) and it did feel very similar to the XFR but you just can't beat the power and sound of a supercharged V8

However, for anyone doing higher miles, the XFS makes a lot of sense.
Me? I'm very happy that I made the right choice when I got my XFR

[Triple7]

jagseven said:

However, for anyone doing higher miles, the XFS makes a lot of sense.
Me? I'm very happy that I made the right choice when I got my XFR

Are Jags supposed to be rep mobiles? I liked the XFS, but think I'd be bored after a month. The XFR just doesn't look good enough, stick the new XJ lights and wider grille on and get some of the sex from the XF concept car, wider wheel arches etc. and I'd be sold......

[jagseven]

I wasn't totally sold on the styling of the XF but like many jags it is a grower and I'm now happy with the way it looks including those "funny looking" headlights (my own initial thoughts).

I do think it is colour sensitive and the impact of the coupe profile was lost on the day because of the sheer number of other jaguars driving about.

I agree with you about probably being bored with the XFS but I think that's true of just about any modern day exec diesel saloon.

I'm currently investigating a sports exhaust option for the XFR as since I attended a Jaguar club some years back and heard how good the V8 can sound (lots of XKs with after market exhasuts) I've wanted a proper V8 base line.
The XFR sounds nice as standard but is slightly too quiet and polite for my tastes.

[DSLiverpool]

Can I ask if this driving day is a dealer event or you pay for it or its by invite ? Im about to order an XFR and if there is a possibility of haggling a driving day I want to be on it.

Ta

[Diderot]

DSLiverpool said:

Can I ask if this driving day is a dealer event or you pay for it or its by invite ? Im about to order an XFR and if there is a possibility of haggling a driving day I want to be on it.

Ta

Not sure, but I've been invited to one at Goodwood in early May.

[Triple7]

DSLiverpool said:

Can I ask if this driving day is a dealer event or you pay for it or its by invite ? Im about to order an XFR and if there is a possibility of haggling a driving day I want to be on it.

Both you can apply through the Jaguar Website, under Racing Heart Days. But you best bet is to get your dealer to sort the invitation. It is a 'free' event I think the Jag dealer may have to pay c.£300.? Jaguar are reviewing whether to offer this as a paid activity, open to the public, as Mercedes do at Merc World at Brooklands.

Up coming track days are at Goodwood in May as has been highlighted, there is also one at the Silverstone in the summer and the usual ones at Gaydon, plus north of the border.

IMHO you don't get a good feel as to what the car is to live with, but it is great to see how fast they can go without the fear of losing your licence.

G

Edited by Triple7 on Sunday 25th April 15:44

[DSLiverpool]

Thanks appreciated, I didnt order today as the dealer cant get within £2k of the broker quote so back to the drawing board

[Triple7]

DSLiverpool said:

Thanks appreciated, I didnt order today as the dealer cant get within £2k of the broker quote so back to the drawing board

Sent you email........