RE: Chris Harris video: Jaguar XKR-S GT
Thursday 31st October 2013
It's fair to say some of the responses to Monkey's Jaguar XKR-S GT drive story rather surprised us in the PH office. Here was the track-focused XK we knew Jaguar was capable of, just the seven years after the car was introduced and in a hugely limited production run for the UK, yet the reception wasn't universally positive.
Chris Harris video: Jaguar XKR-S GT
'Where's the vid?' came the cry after Harris's drive in the XKR-S GT - here it is!
Perhaps it's the £135,000 price, perhaps it's the questionable (functional) aero addenda or maybe it's the plethora of incredible rivals, but the XKR-S GT wasn't the instant hit we predicted. "If only Jag produced a car that was supposed to fit the bill of proper sports car", "This reminds me of a 90s Toyota Supra" and "Somewhere an Evo is missing its spoiler" weren't the expected replies.
Last week's POTW aimed to address those concerned about the latest fast Jag, and hopefully this video should ram the point home in fast, loud, sideways fashion. And for those of you (there were indeed some) who welcomed the GT, here's the video you've been waiting for.
Discussion
militantmandy said:
To be fair my comment about jag making a proper sports car was meant to convey slight dismay as to why they are making a track special out of their ageing and heavy gt car when they've just released the F-Type.
Because the F-Type is the XK with a bit chopped out of the middle (seriously; look at the mules). Anything they do on the XK applies directly to the F-Type, and while the coupe is not yet out they may as well wring a few sales out of the XK for what will amount to very little work that they can't reuse.
Good vid, and nice point to make, the one thing that would bug me, and I have found in the modern auto paddle shift is that you have to predict the lag in the shifts, it just makes you want to stick the car in drive and give up. I concede that a decent dual clutch is fun and involving but some of the paddles fitted don't work as quick as you think they should. For some cars, if you can't execute a quick shift paddle you should stick with manual for your involving 'track/drivers' cars
jackh707 said:
Urban Sports said:
Would have been better on the full track.
3/4 of the footage was on the full track. I was there in similar conditions a couple of weeks back, that track is greasy like nothing else this time of year.
Forget the. contentious aero additions - it's a VERY limited run car so it's got to look special.
Let's concentrate on the fact the Jag are technically capable of (and willing to) make such a track capable performance car. Even more impressive when you remember the XK was originally designed to be a comfortable GT, and is now an 8 year old car. I'm excited to see what the future brings with the recent confidence and competence of Jag, even more so with the added steroids from the ETO department - what must be around the corner for the F type?!?
Let's concentrate on the fact the Jag are technically capable of (and willing to) make such a track capable performance car. Even more impressive when you remember the XK was originally designed to be a comfortable GT, and is now an 8 year old car. I'm excited to see what the future brings with the recent confidence and competence of Jag, even more so with the added steroids from the ETO department - what must be around the corner for the F type?!?
Forget the. contentious aero additions - it's a VERY limited run car so it's got to look special.
Let's concentrate on the fact the Jag are technically capable of (and willing to) make such a track capable performance car. Even more impressive when you remember the XK was originally designed to be a comfortable GT, and is now an 8 year old car. I'm excited to see what the future brings with the recent confidence and competence of Jag, even more so with the added steroids from the ETO department - what must be around the corner for the F type?!?
Let's concentrate on the fact the Jag are technically capable of (and willing to) make such a track capable performance car. Even more impressive when you remember the XK was originally designed to be a comfortable GT, and is now an 8 year old car. I'm excited to see what the future brings with the recent confidence and competence of Jag, even more so with the added steroids from the ETO department - what must be around the corner for the F type?!?
DB89 said:
smiffy555 said:
Makes me proud to be honest!
An Jaguar XK, nearing its swan song and showing that the boys at Castle Bromwich are back on track and producing a lary GT.....Aston should take note.
Go on Jaguar.....go for it.
V12 Vantage S?An Jaguar XK, nearing its swan song and showing that the boys at Castle Bromwich are back on track and producing a lary GT.....Aston should take note.
Go on Jaguar.....go for it.
Not sure about the gearbox comment. Would you really want an 8spd in a focused track car? I have one in my Disco and even lumbering about in that I lose track of what gear I'm in if I select "COMMAND SHIFT' or whatever it's called. I can't imagine belting towards a corner trying to keep track of how many shifts I'd been through. Surely your'e only pulling between 2nd and 4th gear most of the time on a track like Oulton Park anyway?! Bit confused.
Rindergulasch said:
I'm sorry but it's still the cheap, ugly cousin of an Aston, and now it's even bloody expensive. What's not to avoid? Jaguar, for me, is the prime example of a once much-revered brand that's been killed by lack of imagination or originality.
Completely disagree.Jaguar is thriving. They have a. new level of confidence and this car is a part of that.
Inexplicably, some people still see jaguar as an old mans car. They still see Jaguars as being all cream leather and walnut living in the golf club car park.
Cars like this are simply designed to shatter that image. They are the opposite of stuffy. They are not intended to sell in volume. They ( and cars like the F type) are simply here to add to the narrative that Jaguar has changed.
It's bloody lovely.
And it has more ambition than Aston has shown. And it must also be said that Jaguar , in many respects, are showing Aston how to do things.
Best thing of all about this car though, is the engine. The Jag 5.0 supercharged V8 is an epic engine and IMO it is a much better V8 than anything Aston offer...
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