2010 XKR sport/dynamic mode?
Discussion
I'm considering buying a 2009/10 XKR but I'm wondering what effect the sport/dynamic button near the gear selector has on the car's performance/handling. A friend took me out in his new 997 Porsche yesterday and the Sport button in that transformed the car from something fairly comfortable and docile into a monster. Does the Jag button have the same effect and is it a standard fit in all facelift (2009+) XKRs?
Does it affect performance? Handling? Exhaust note? Steering?
I'm hoping to hear honest owner opinions rather than dealer fluff but if all else fails I'll book another test drive. Asking here will hopefully get me a quicker reply.
Does it affect performance? Handling? Exhaust note? Steering?
I'm hoping to hear honest owner opinions rather than dealer fluff but if all else fails I'll book another test drive. Asking here will hopefully get me a quicker reply.
Thanks Geoff. How much of an effect does it have on the experience? Does it make things a little bit more interesting or does it transform things? I've a feeling that the XKR-S is already a harder-edged version of the XKR so I guess the change couldn't be too dramatic. The 997 Porsche got a whole lot more exciting - even from the passenger seat!
Yes it is standard on all 5.0 XKR's.
Does it turn it into a monster, no. It is an electronic trick. The gearbox has faster changes, down shifts, throttle response more aggressive, suspension tweaked, but not hugely noticeable as the car is pretty 'hard' for a Jag anyhow.
All-in-all, the 5.0 XKR is a superb sports-GT. The Porsche is rawer, so if that is what you prefer mire sports, then the Porka is the way forward. I have had both & would like to have both as they each offer different things.
Does it turn it into a monster, no. It is an electronic trick. The gearbox has faster changes, down shifts, throttle response more aggressive, suspension tweaked, but not hugely noticeable as the car is pretty 'hard' for a Jag anyhow.
All-in-all, the 5.0 XKR is a superb sports-GT. The Porsche is rawer, so if that is what you prefer mire sports, then the Porka is the way forward. I have had both & would like to have both as they each offer different things.
On my 2010 XKR by selecting the dynamic mode I feel the ride is firmer and more predictable.
To be honest I don't really notice improved gear changes and any more power but the exhaust note changes.
If you want the engine to be a lot more responsive then engage the Sport mode on the gear change knob.This
puts you in a lower gear giving near instant response.
As for overall handling the XKR is just too heavy for the proper twisty stuff, I leave that for my
Noble M12.
To be honest I don't really notice improved gear changes and any more power but the exhaust note changes.
If you want the engine to be a lot more responsive then engage the Sport mode on the gear change knob.This
puts you in a lower gear giving near instant response.
As for overall handling the XKR is just too heavy for the proper twisty stuff, I leave that for my
Noble M12.
Edited by mr.man on Wednesday 20th March 21:05
Edited by mr.man on Wednesday 20th March 23:37
I assume the XFR reacts the same apart from the exhaust which is active on the xkr.
On my XFR dynamic mode is better on a nice cross country drive. The throttle is most improved, as mention 100% power at 60% travel so you can balance better in the bends. It also doesn't change up at red line with the gearbox in sport mode, again great for cornering. Suspension is stiff and predictable so you get feel through the steering and movement.
Also allows for a bit more slip from the diff. Not sure about the electrically assisted dampers but it corners impressively flat for a 1.9 tonne car. Not sure on the exhaust as I have a modified one fitted. Only other change is fuel consumption about 11-12mpg
On my XFR dynamic mode is better on a nice cross country drive. The throttle is most improved, as mention 100% power at 60% travel so you can balance better in the bends. It also doesn't change up at red line with the gearbox in sport mode, again great for cornering. Suspension is stiff and predictable so you get feel through the steering and movement.
Also allows for a bit more slip from the diff. Not sure about the electrically assisted dampers but it corners impressively flat for a 1.9 tonne car. Not sure on the exhaust as I have a modified one fitted. Only other change is fuel consumption about 11-12mpg
Edited by bp1000 on Friday 22 March 23:56
bp1000 said:
I assume the XFR reacts the same apart from the exhaust which is active on the xkr.
I've not long been back from a test drive in an XFR... and neither my passengers nor I could honestly tell the difference between dynamic mode on or off. In fact at one point the salesman said he'd switched it on again, my dad and mate in the back agreed that the ride felt a bit firmer to them, then I pointed out that the salesman had in fact turned on winter mode by mistake. 
If there was an effect on ride or throttle response, it was so subtle as to be almost pointless for driving on the A- and B-roads around Chichester. There was no transformation of the car's character.
I hope the XKR would be different. :-)
The Dynamic mode on the XKR and XRF does have a noticeable impact, sharpening throttle response and firming the dampers, plus holding gears for longer. In addition, it allows the stability / traction systems have a little more leeway! PArt of the reason it is not as noticeable as in a 911 is that the suspension remains absorbent and relatively comfortable but with excellent body control and reduced roll.
If you put the gearbox into Sport and turn dynamic on, the effect is more noticeable, and if you use the paddles for changes the rev matching /throttle blips are perfect.
My default setting in the XFR or XKR-S is Dynamic and sport / paddles for shifts, always with a big smile.
If you put the gearbox into Sport and turn dynamic on, the effect is more noticeable, and if you use the paddles for changes the rev matching /throttle blips are perfect.
My default setting in the XFR or XKR-S is Dynamic and sport / paddles for shifts, always with a big smile.
have to say I dont notice much of a ride quality difference when in Dynamic mode but the car certainly corners a lot flatter and with more driver confidence. I mostly use Sports manual, not because I am a driving god, but because I prefer to use the torque of my selected gear rather than a down change of one or two cogs. Makes everything much more predictable and if I want to go down 1 or 2 gears, I can.
Having bought an XKR in 2013 I can now update my own thread (which I'd forgotten about).
I drive everywhere in Dynamic Mode, with the gearbox in Sport, using paddles/manual only. I only ever drive in D, normal and automatic mode when I've started from cold, letting the car choose its own revs and gears until it's warmed up.
This combination of Dynamic + Sports + manual (paddles) gives me the most enjoyment and sense of occasion. The suspension adapts to our driving patterns, so initially it's firm (although not massively firmer than normal) then softens up if the throttle and steering inputs are light. Throttle response is more predictable for me in Dynamic, with none of that push-the-pedal.... push-the-pedal.... lurch forwards hesitation of Normal Mode, although jamieduff often criticises the over-sharp throttle response of modern cars in 'sports' mode which I understand. In Dynamic the engine blips on the downshifts, which is nice. In g/box Sports mode the shifts are usually harder, which stops the blending of gears so much.
I pulled Fuse 19 within the first week of ownership, so I've got the Dynamic Mode exhaust note all the time.
So, to answer my own question.... the changes that Dynamic/Sports mode make are quite subtle but together they certainly make the drive feel more exciting and involving. But they're not transformational to the car, essentially (I think) because they all soften off as you drive unless you're absolutely hooning around (and I never get the chance to do this in Sussex).
I drive everywhere in Dynamic Mode, with the gearbox in Sport, using paddles/manual only. I only ever drive in D, normal and automatic mode when I've started from cold, letting the car choose its own revs and gears until it's warmed up.
This combination of Dynamic + Sports + manual (paddles) gives me the most enjoyment and sense of occasion. The suspension adapts to our driving patterns, so initially it's firm (although not massively firmer than normal) then softens up if the throttle and steering inputs are light. Throttle response is more predictable for me in Dynamic, with none of that push-the-pedal.... push-the-pedal.... lurch forwards hesitation of Normal Mode, although jamieduff often criticises the over-sharp throttle response of modern cars in 'sports' mode which I understand. In Dynamic the engine blips on the downshifts, which is nice. In g/box Sports mode the shifts are usually harder, which stops the blending of gears so much.
I pulled Fuse 19 within the first week of ownership, so I've got the Dynamic Mode exhaust note all the time.
So, to answer my own question.... the changes that Dynamic/Sports mode make are quite subtle but together they certainly make the drive feel more exciting and involving. But they're not transformational to the car, essentially (I think) because they all soften off as you drive unless you're absolutely hooning around (and I never get the chance to do this in Sussex).
threadlock said:
bp1000 said:
I assume the XFR reacts the same apart from the exhaust which is active on the xkr.
I've not long been back from a test drive in an XFR... and neither my passengers nor I could honestly tell the difference between dynamic mode on or off. In fact at one point the salesman said he'd switched it on again, my dad and mate in the back agreed that the ride felt a bit firmer to them, then I pointed out that the salesman had in fact turned on winter mode by mistake. If there was an effect on ride or throttle response, it was so subtle as to be almost pointless for driving on the A- and B-roads around Chichester. There was no transformation of the car's character.
I hope the XKR would be different. :-)
I've recently (Oct 18) purchased a 2014 XK Dynamic R, I had a choice between a few marques and even an F-type AWD but, as I'd owned one of the first 50 XK8's off the production line in 96 for 14yrs decided to go for one of the last...nostalgia I guess!?
Mine seems to have had work done on it, in that it has no backbox and therefore no zaust actuators, it's pretty loud (but in fact quieter than my old 8 with a straight through exhaust.
I can't feel any difference between Dynamic mode and normal, to steering, throttle response or suspension...albeit I've only travelled 300 miles...will update more as I do some more miles
Mine seems to have had work done on it, in that it has no backbox and therefore no zaust actuators, it's pretty loud (but in fact quieter than my old 8 with a straight through exhaust.
I can't feel any difference between Dynamic mode and normal, to steering, throttle response or suspension...albeit I've only travelled 300 miles...will update more as I do some more miles
On my 2010 5.0 XKR the only difference I notice is the exhaust growl being introduced, which is lovely with the top down.
There may be some slight tweaks to the throttle response and the suspension may be a bit tighter over potholes, etc..., but if these tweaks do happen they are subtle and don't change my perception of the driving experience that much, it doesn't 'transform' the car, the non-dynamic mode is pretty fun as is!
But then I'm not on a track when I drive it.
There may be some slight tweaks to the throttle response and the suspension may be a bit tighter over potholes, etc..., but if these tweaks do happen they are subtle and don't change my perception of the driving experience that much, it doesn't 'transform' the car, the non-dynamic mode is pretty fun as is!
But then I'm not on a track when I drive it.
I have the 2014 Black pack XKR 5.0L for the last 2.5 years & I love it.
For the last 1.5 years I have been using it in 'Dynamic' mode frequently because I love the noises it makes on take off.
Recently a 'whirling' sound appeared from the back of car which increased in loudness with speed.
I had main dealer Jag check it to say - Rear Differential & centre bearing on drive shaft have gone. Repair bill £4700.00
waiting for Jaguar to get the bits together, they reckon 1-3 weeks but could not say for sure.
Has anybody else experienced anything like this & do you think using it too frequently in 'Dynamic' mode could have been the cause?
For the last 1.5 years I have been using it in 'Dynamic' mode frequently because I love the noises it makes on take off.
Recently a 'whirling' sound appeared from the back of car which increased in loudness with speed.
I had main dealer Jag check it to say - Rear Differential & centre bearing on drive shaft have gone. Repair bill £4700.00
waiting for Jaguar to get the bits together, they reckon 1-3 weeks but could not say for sure.Has anybody else experienced anything like this & do you think using it too frequently in 'Dynamic' mode could have been the cause?
Ashley1111 said:
Absolutely, a 60% throttle application results in 100% power output (hope I have phrased that correctly....)
This is what I don't like about electronic trickery/fly-by-wire/programming. Just reducing the accelerator travel doesn't make a car faster. In my XK the travel to 100% is very long so the car feels slow. But put that travel into the first 1cm and it will feel like an F1 car. Same car, just the controls messed about with.Supercat1 said:
I have the 2014 Black pack XKR 5.0L for the last 2.5 years & I love it.
For the last 1.5 years I have been using it in 'Dynamic' mode frequently because I love the noises it makes on take off.
Recently a 'whirling' sound appeared from the back of car which increased in loudness with speed.
I had main dealer Jag check it to say - Rear Differential & centre bearing on drive shaft have gone. Repair bill £4700.00 waiting for Jaguar to get the bits together, they reckon 1-3 weeks but could not say for sure.
Has anybody else experienced anything like this & do you think using it too frequently in 'Dynamic' mode could have been the cause?
I don't know personally, but...For the last 1.5 years I have been using it in 'Dynamic' mode frequently because I love the noises it makes on take off.
Recently a 'whirling' sound appeared from the back of car which increased in loudness with speed.
I had main dealer Jag check it to say - Rear Differential & centre bearing on drive shaft have gone. Repair bill £4700.00
waiting for Jaguar to get the bits together, they reckon 1-3 weeks but could not say for sure.Has anybody else experienced anything like this & do you think using it too frequently in 'Dynamic' mode could have been the cause?
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