End of the World as we know it?

End of the World as we know it?

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Discussion

xkrman

Original Poster:

144 posts

230 months

Saturday 11th June 2005
quotequote all

Oh Dear!!

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/57355/diesel_xk_gets_the_goahead.html

groomi

9,317 posts

244 months

Saturday 11th June 2005
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Hmmm V8 Diesel with 600Nm torque Well, it would certainly be different, and BMW are doing very well with their diesels - although I don't think they put them in a sexy 'look at me (I'm the one leaving that cloud of black smoke behind)' convertible.

Diesel saloons are a necessary evil for Jaguar. Diesel XKs are stretching the idea too far IMHO.

triple7

4,013 posts

238 months

Saturday 11th June 2005
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Hmmmmmmmm.

I like the simplicity of the current XK range, i.e 4.2 superor norm aspirated.

Adding a diesil, 3.5, 4.2, 5.0ltr engines just confuse the frick outta me. Why?

Same with the current rangie, why offer the TD6, 4.2 norm, 4.2 Supercharged, 4.4BMW engines??????

Ford, KISS FFS!!

G

xkrman

Original Poster:

144 posts

230 months

Saturday 11th June 2005
quotequote all
groomi said:


Diesel saloons are a necessary evil for Jaguar. Diesel XKs are stretching the idea too far IMHO.


My thoughts exactly.

kryten22uk

2,344 posts

232 months

Saturday 11th June 2005
quotequote all
Unfortunately Jaguar lives in a world (as do we all!) where what the americans want the americans get. And they want big diesel engines. So in it goes. I cant see it being a big hit here, but then they're not too bothered about that.

I also think it is a step too far though.

xkrman

Original Poster:

144 posts

230 months

Saturday 11th June 2005
quotequote all
kryten22uk said:
Unfortunately Jaguar lives in a world (as do we all!) where what the americans want the americans get. And they want big diesel engines. So in it goes. I cant see it being a big hit here, but then they're not too bothered about that.

I also think it is a step too far though.


Here what you're saying about the US, but do the Americans really want diesels in sports/GT cars?

Haven't heard any plans for Diesels in Corvettes, Vipers etc.

Think Jaguar has fallen into the Eurobox trap and some idiot has said "I know!, Let's put a diesel in that new sports car as well as the family boxes"

Jaglover

42,451 posts

236 months

Sunday 12th June 2005
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Well I for one welcome this move. Jaguar were well behind the trend for putting diesel engines in executive saloons but are leading the way in putting them in GT's.

Anything that increases choice increases their sales.

This might well be a big sucess on the European market.

xkrman

Original Poster:

144 posts

230 months

Sunday 12th June 2005
quotequote all
Jaglover said:
Well I for one welcome this move. Jaguar were well behind the trend for putting diesel engines in executive saloons but are leading the way in putting them in GT's.

Anything that increases choice increases their sales.

This might well be a big sucess on the European market.



Suggest you ask anyone who currently drives an XK, whether they would buy a diesel version. I am pretty convinced the majority would not. Diesels are possibly OK in Saloons or company cars but not in Sports/GT - IMHO.

I certainly would not be seen dead in a diesel GT car

NormanD

3,208 posts

229 months

Sunday 12th June 2005
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Jaglover said:
This might well be a big sucess on the European market.


I may well be, they have no TASTE

800

1,968 posts

237 months

Monday 13th June 2005
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More to the point is why has it taken Jaguar so long to offer a decent diesel like the S Type twin turbo?!

Like it or not diesel will continue to increase market share year on year. Jaguar is not in brilliant shape and has missed the boat on this one. What it needs to do is be at the head of the game offering innovative diesel engines with stonking performance and refined character. All IMHO, of course.

XK with 700Nm torque, and easily chipped for more - why not?

And where is the RD-6 ???!!! Bring it on, QUICKLY!

xkrman

Original Poster:

144 posts

230 months

Monday 13th June 2005
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800 said:




XK with 700Nm torque, and easily chipped for more - why not?



If you need to ask, not sure I could explain the reasons!

Each to their own, I suppose.

8Pack

5,182 posts

241 months

Wednesday 15th June 2005
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Jaglover said:
Well I for one welcome this move. Jaguar were well behind the trend for putting diesel engines in executive saloons but are leading the way in putting them in GT's.

Anything that increases choice increases their sales.

This might well be a big sucess on the European market.



I agree, Jaguar had until recently limited sales at home in the UK, and was also at the whims of the American market and the £/$ exchange rate.

Like it or not Jaguar NEED to sell to Europe, I for one can vouch for the fact that they ARE impressed by them. But, they want a diesel alternative.

Let's be fair, the V10 Phaeton is no slouch. Get a good diesel up to speed on the Autobahn and you can't tell the difference anyway.

I hope Jaguar DO make a good diesel, but it HAS to be good, after all, it's a "Jaguar". Me? Well, I'll stick with petrol but I may consider an LPG conversion soon.

blackcat

9 posts

230 months

Wednesday 15th June 2005
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I find it hard to understand the logic - are people who spend £50k+ on a new vehicle and are likely to lose tens of thousands in depreciation over the first couple of years really worried about spending an extra thousand or so a year on fuel consumption?

XJR420

95 posts

227 months

Wednesday 15th June 2005
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It would appear so!

bruciebabe

1,126 posts

242 months

Friday 17th June 2005
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The new aluminium XK fitted with this V8 diesel would be the absolutely perfect long distance European grand tourer. Want one, in LHD.

8Pack

5,182 posts

241 months

Saturday 18th June 2005
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blackcat said:
I find it hard to understand the logic - are people who spend £50k+ on a new vehicle and are likely to lose tens of thousands in depreciation over the first couple of years really worried about spending an extra thousand or so a year on fuel consumption?


With respect Blackcat, I think it's a little more than that. The European traveller/businessman is not bound by water as we are and distances as you know are vast. Companies are looking constantly at running costs for vehicles, and Diesel in Europe is SOoooo much cheaper per litre than Petrol.

In Europe it makes sense because Diesel is cheaper and gives a better milage. If you can get them to deliver better performance as well, what would YOU do?

xkrman

Original Poster:

144 posts

230 months

Saturday 18th June 2005
quotequote all
8Pack said:

blackcat said:
I find it hard to understand the logic - are people who spend £50k+ on a new vehicle and are likely to lose tens of thousands in depreciation over the first couple of years really worried about spending an extra thousand or so a year on fuel consumption?




In Europe it makes sense because Diesel is cheaper and gives a better milage. If you can get them to deliver better performance as well, what would YOU do?


You MAY be correct in thinking this move to diesel may open a new market sector, but it would potentially alienate current owners of the Jaguar XK. I would not be seen dead in a diesel and would have to think very carefully of spending tens of thousands of pounds on a car which can even be bought as a diesel alternative.

Yet again the marque has been devalued. Put diesel in saloons (I suppose) but leave the sports/GT alone.

jagman

129 posts

239 months

Monday 20th June 2005
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Lunchtime, and I need a break !

Got to agree with you, bruciebabe.

If you own, or have ever driven, an S-Type R Supercharged 4.2 V8, you probably think that this is one quick saloon. The kerb weight of an S-Type R is 1,800 kgs, the gearbox is a 6 speed, and the engine develops 553 Nms.

So now you put 600 Nms in front of a 5 speed gearbox in maybe 1300 kgs and you have one helluva quick XKR - and that's before the aftermarket starts on the ECU upgrades.

So long as the engine doesn't rattle at idle, I don't really see the problem of having a diesel engined sportscar. OK, the rev band is usually a bit narrower than a petrol engine, but you will get used to that pretty quickly.

Just a shame that the UK Government has spotted the Indusry's move to diesel and raised the tax to remove that advantage over petrol !

On the other hand, what would be nice would be an aluminium XKR with a 500 BHP Corvette C6 Z06 7.0 litre engine and a manual gearbox ! Funnily enough that engine does quite good fuel consumption. It also sounds pretty damn fine too !! And it just came 1-2 at Le Mans in the GT class.....and it beat the DBR9.....

If we have to settle for a 500 BHP Jaguar V8 petrol with a 6 speed auto and push button speed shift control, I guess that would also do nicely ! Come on Ford, give that version the green light.

xkrman

Original Poster:

144 posts

230 months

Monday 20th June 2005
quotequote all
jagman said:
Lunchtime, and I need a break !

Got to agree with you, bruciebabe.

If you own, or have ever driven, an S-Type R Supercharged 4.2 V8, you probably think that this is one quick saloon. The kerb weight of an S-Type R is 1,800 kgs, the gearbox is a 6 speed, and the engine develops 553 Nms.

So now you put 600 Nms in front of a 5 speed gearbox in maybe 1300 kgs and you have one helluva quick XKR - and that's before the aftermarket starts on the ECU upgrades.

So long as the engine doesn't rattle at idle, I don't really see the problem of having a diesel engined sportscar. OK, the rev band is usually a bit narrower than a petrol engine, but you will get used to that pretty quickly.

Just a shame that the UK Government has spotted the Indusry's move to diesel and raised the tax to remove that advantage over petrol !

On the other hand, what would be nice would be an aluminium XKR with a 500 BHP Corvette C6 Z06 7.0 litre engine and a manual gearbox ! Funnily enough that engine does quite good fuel consumption. It also sounds pretty damn fine too !! And it just came 1-2 at Le Mans in the GT class.....and it beat the DBR9.....

If we have to settle for a 500 BHP Jaguar V8 petrol with a 6 speed auto and push button speed shift control, I guess that would also do nicely ! Come on Ford, give that version the green light.


HaHa, Knew you wouldn't be able to resist Chas

8Pack

5,182 posts

241 months

Thursday 23rd June 2005
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Would agree with the above posts gents, Good "petrol" engines are essential" BUT! So are Good diesels, particularly in Europe where diesel fuel is so much cheaper than petrol.

Jaguar MUST have a good diesel available! Ok, I don't like them either But?............