New Daimler Super Eight (looks horrible!)
Discussion
Looks like there will be a new Daimler Super Eight:
More pictures on autoblog.it.
I remember sitting in the old shape Super Eight (X308) at the Geneva Motor Show (well hidden in the back of the Jaguar booth). It looked and felt stunning...
But the X350 version is truly a tarted up monstrosity:
Who's responsible for the styling of the XJ series nowadays?
... Keith Helfet, Jaguar needs you!
More pictures on autoblog.it.
I remember sitting in the old shape Super Eight (X308) at the Geneva Motor Show (well hidden in the back of the Jaguar booth). It looked and felt stunning...
But the X350 version is truly a tarted up monstrosity:
Who's responsible for the styling of the XJ series nowadays?
... Keith Helfet, Jaguar needs you!
... exactly. Nothing against managers and accountants. But what Jaguar needs now (and would have needed a few years ago) ist someone who understands the values of this brand, a true Jag lover. Someone who has the courage to say NO to:
- Bloated XJs (who cares if the golf bags don't fit in?)
- Stinky Diesel engines (say what you want, Diesels and Jaguar don't belong together. Amen!)
- I4 engines (This was okay for the Swallow... some 80 years ago!)
- V6 engines (Jaguar's tradition is all about I6's. Who in their right mind made the decision to use V6s?)
- Estates (negiotable if done right)
And I'm not convinced by the new XF either: I suspect it will be heavily detuned (= higher roof line, see Porsche Panemera) to allow four fat Americans and two golf bags to fit it. The grill is okay, but the rear end and exhaust pipes are saying LEXUS to me).
To Jaguar's and Callum's credit, I have to admit the the new XK/XKR is exceptionally beautiful (as was its predecessor). Believe it or not: Here in Zurich, Switzerland, there are about 5 times more Aston Martins (V8, DB9 & lots of Vanquishes) driving around than new XK's. I'd take the XKR, thanks...
RANT OVER.
(Sorry, but I'm still not over the fact, that the X308 XJR is no longer in production
)
- Bloated XJs (who cares if the golf bags don't fit in?)
- Stinky Diesel engines (say what you want, Diesels and Jaguar don't belong together. Amen!)
- I4 engines (This was okay for the Swallow... some 80 years ago!)
- V6 engines (Jaguar's tradition is all about I6's. Who in their right mind made the decision to use V6s?)
- Estates (negiotable if done right)
And I'm not convinced by the new XF either: I suspect it will be heavily detuned (= higher roof line, see Porsche Panemera) to allow four fat Americans and two golf bags to fit it. The grill is okay, but the rear end and exhaust pipes are saying LEXUS to me).
To Jaguar's and Callum's credit, I have to admit the the new XK/XKR is exceptionally beautiful (as was its predecessor). Believe it or not: Here in Zurich, Switzerland, there are about 5 times more Aston Martins (V8, DB9 & lots of Vanquishes) driving around than new XK's. I'd take the XKR, thanks...
RANT OVER.
(Sorry, but I'm still not over the fact, that the X308 XJR is no longer in production
)Tripe7 is absolutely right: Jaguar should be an niche player creating desirable products for the ones who can afford them (e.g. like Apple).
To tr7v8: No offence intended. I'm sure the 2.7 biturbo Diesel is a very advanced engine from a technical point of view (e.g. torque numbers, fuel consumption). But like all Diesels it stinks and rattles to a certain extent. That's a fact.
As far as V6's are concerned: In point of vibrations they are definitively inferior to I6's. It's simply a matter of mechanics (moments of inertia).
The reason Jaguar uses V6's is 1) because the petrol version is based on the Ford Duratec engine and 2) it shorter than the straight six version and thus is easier to fit under the bonnet.
The engine smoothness of the I6's and V12's is unsurpassed - as is the engine note.
Jaguar never used V6's before, nor did BMW.
To tr7v8: No offence intended. I'm sure the 2.7 biturbo Diesel is a very advanced engine from a technical point of view (e.g. torque numbers, fuel consumption). But like all Diesels it stinks and rattles to a certain extent. That's a fact.
As far as V6's are concerned: In point of vibrations they are definitively inferior to I6's. It's simply a matter of mechanics (moments of inertia).
The reason Jaguar uses V6's is 1) because the petrol version is based on the Ford Duratec engine and 2) it shorter than the straight six version and thus is easier to fit under the bonnet.
The engine smoothness of the I6's and V12's is unsurpassed - as is the engine note.
Jaguar never used V6's before, nor did BMW.
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