Discussion
cerbman said:
Rob_T said:
I took a new XKr for a test drive the other day. I have to say, the styling is stunning and the view of the bonnet from the inside is fantastic. I loved the car but there were two basic problems with it. One minor, one IMHO significant.
Minor: as previously stated, it needs a louder exhaust, or at least switchable. It would have made the sound of the blip on the downshift great and the general sound of the 'getaway' quite addictive.
Major: the interior was poor beyond belief. Specifically the nasty plastic around the satnav. Worse still was the aluminium effect fascia. Really naff. The wood options on a car like this are just not appropriate either. In my opinion what this great GT sports cars needs is the option of carbon fibre inlays. They have it as an option on the X type, but not, for some reason on the XKR where it would be so much more befitting and in my opinion look so smart. I know some people absolutely hate CF, and that's fine, but I'm sure even those that don't like it can understand why it should be an option. I have written to Jaguar about this as I feel so strongly about it. Will be interesting to see what the say.
The other option I don't unnderstand not being available is contrasting stitching a la AMV8. It would really personalise the interior and make a brilliant contrast on a black interior (say if you had red or white contrasting stitching).
Seems the folks at Jaguar haven't quite realised what a great product they have got and how saleable it is, if only they understood what market they are potentially reaching out to.
Would I buy one if these options were available.
Yes.
If the wood option isn't appropriate on this car, is it OK for Aston Martin to have it?Minor: as previously stated, it needs a louder exhaust, or at least switchable. It would have made the sound of the blip on the downshift great and the general sound of the 'getaway' quite addictive.
Major: the interior was poor beyond belief. Specifically the nasty plastic around the satnav. Worse still was the aluminium effect fascia. Really naff. The wood options on a car like this are just not appropriate either. In my opinion what this great GT sports cars needs is the option of carbon fibre inlays. They have it as an option on the X type, but not, for some reason on the XKR where it would be so much more befitting and in my opinion look so smart. I know some people absolutely hate CF, and that's fine, but I'm sure even those that don't like it can understand why it should be an option. I have written to Jaguar about this as I feel so strongly about it. Will be interesting to see what the say.
The other option I don't unnderstand not being available is contrasting stitching a la AMV8. It would really personalise the interior and make a brilliant contrast on a black interior (say if you had red or white contrasting stitching).
Seems the folks at Jaguar haven't quite realised what a great product they have got and how saleable it is, if only they understood what market they are potentially reaching out to.
Would I buy one if these options were available.
Yes.
re-reading my post, the word 'appropriate' is not appropriate. what i meant was it was not my preferred option. answering your question, on the aston yes it is appropriate, but the wood has a matt finish, and looks less MFI than on the XKR. Also on the AMV8 you have the piano black option, which works well, and would probably work well on the XKR too.
My main gripe is the lack of options, specifically one option that really should be available on a car like this. Everyones tastes are different and I respect that, but I just don't think Jaguar have thought this through properly.
Rob, the XKR-R will be a lot more sporty, maybe even the contrast stictching, but I'm sure will have CF. The facelift version in a couple of years will offer more choice I'm sure.
The bits in the cabin I too hate are the swathe of black plastic around the satnav. The horrible plastic around the elec seat controls, the steering wheels looks and feels nasty and I also agree the inserts need to look a little bit more quality.
G
The wood on the Aston is a different ball game. Different veneers, different feel and finish. Wood on jags is nice but they need to give it some thought to bring it into the 21st Century.
When I took one out I felt just the way you describe. The interior when you think about it is deplorable. You have to ask who was this designed for? It would annoy me to the extent that I wouldn't consider one till they sort it out.
What an XKR-R or whatever they decide to call it needs is lightweight bucket seats like the 911 GT3, monogrammed like the DBS. Alcantara steering wheel with sculpture and grips. Alcantara and leather internal finish including headlining. Dashboard redesign, some new veneer options, steering wheel in Alcantara sculptured with grips, whole car lower with slightly flared arches, 500 bhp, serious exhaust, more holes in the bonnet. I would have one of those. Until then I'm saving for a 911 GT3 so they better hurry up. Jesus, do they think we are all posers who live in Pebble Beach?
Anyway I'm off skiing so have fun and look forward to hearing your views in 2007.
When I took one out I felt just the way you describe. The interior when you think about it is deplorable. You have to ask who was this designed for? It would annoy me to the extent that I wouldn't consider one till they sort it out.
What an XKR-R or whatever they decide to call it needs is lightweight bucket seats like the 911 GT3, monogrammed like the DBS. Alcantara steering wheel with sculpture and grips. Alcantara and leather internal finish including headlining. Dashboard redesign, some new veneer options, steering wheel in Alcantara sculptured with grips, whole car lower with slightly flared arches, 500 bhp, serious exhaust, more holes in the bonnet. I would have one of those. Until then I'm saving for a 911 GT3 so they better hurry up. Jesus, do they think we are all posers who live in Pebble Beach?
Anyway I'm off skiing so have fun and look forward to hearing your views in 2007.
Edited by cardigankid on Friday 22 December 22:02
cardigankid said:
To me carbon fibre looks like something to make sandwich cartons out of. The aluminium weave Jag have is nice but the smell of a new jag with wood veneer is very very evocative.
Jaguar sports cars should not have wood veneer dashes, that's for the GTs and Saloon. Wood in sports cars was dropped in 1957 with the demise of the XK140.
A nice leather dash would look great.
I didn't say all jag sports cars should have wood veneers. I'm very aware of the finishes in the 150and the E-Types. I'm sure you're right, and thanks for the 150 pic. But I personally find the wood veneers in Jags evocative, and probably of Mark II's S-Types and early XJ's. I love the smell and the look, and it doesn't bother me putting it in a sports car.
If Jag are doing Aston's veneers, which I quite believe, why can't we get that nice satin finish on Jags. And what about some other woods? You can get knotted oak and yew, both of which would be fabulous.
If you check the options, there are upgrades to the interior you can have and I chose the sports upgrade on my Liquid Silver XKR. I asked why certain grills were not in Brushed Alloy or Stainless Steel and Jaguar commented they did not want it looking 'too' boy racer...
Now, I love the new XKR, I still have the older 2002 Convertible and you simply cannot compare the two there is so much difference, however, if I have been Jaguar the new XKR would have had the following...
a. Remove Rear Seats.
b. Stick Engine in the rear
c. Front Boot then big enough for Golf Club Brigade
e. Said B*ll*cks to Aston and made it 500bhp plus!
Now, I love the new XKR, I still have the older 2002 Convertible and you simply cannot compare the two there is so much difference, however, if I have been Jaguar the new XKR would have had the following...
a. Remove Rear Seats.
b. Stick Engine in the rear
c. Front Boot then big enough for Golf Club Brigade
e. Said B*ll*cks to Aston and made it 500bhp plus!
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