Paddle shifters

[ryanjohnstott]

Is it just me or do these things make you drive like a wannabe F1 driver and use twice as much fuel due to downshifting earlier than necessary?

That said, once mastered they are good fun

[NormanD]

Just brings back the art of driving

I had an after market system fitted to my 4Lt XKR (available if anyone else wants it)

Now have a full blown Manual Gearbox in the car

[ryanjohnstott]

Yes it certainly makes you 'drive' the car rather than simply auto-piloting. The manual old XK is an interesting idea but I think the auto box on my new XKR is so much better than my old 1st generation XKR that it isn't needed. The paddle shift is enough. Having said that, I do wonder why Jag don't do a manual option because surely some people would prefer it, particularly if they are buying a XKR-S.

Come to think of it, why on earth are they putting an 8 speed auto box in the F Type?! Is the F Type not supposed to be more of a track type car than the XK? You'd never want to bother with the paddle shifters because you'd always be changing gear!