Thursday 27th May 2010

Jaguar XFR Vs. Aston Martin Rapide

PH Fleet: Our Jag went toe-to-toe with Aston's four-door - in pictures, at least

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Just before we waved goodbye to our late lamented Jaguar XFR long-termer, we happened to get our grubby mitts on one of the first Aston Martin Rapide models to grace these shores. If you missed it, the Rapide turned up in a shade of metallic silver quite similar to our Jag, which inspired us to put the two side by side for a few pictures.

It's an interesting comparison in many ways, not least because the two cars offer quite different routes to a basically similar result. The Aston is a supercar that's been morphed into a luxury hatchback, while the Jaguar XFR is an executive saloon with aspirations to be a supercar.

Dimensions/construction
In spite of its coupe-like lines, the Jag is more traditionally packaged with a significantly higher roofline, and a narrower, shorter body. The Aston's extra girth and length does nothing for its accommodation, however, as the Jag offers a much roomier cabin for both front and rear passengers. However, we're guessing most people would agree that the Aston's sleek profile makes it one of the few saloons to have the big cat licked for looks.

Under the skin, the Jaguar uses a variety of modern steels and cunning CAD techniques to keep the weight down. The Aston features glued and riveted aluminium extrusions, but the combination of its overall dimensions, bigger engine and all that 'bespoke' luxury make it 60kgs heavier.

	Aston Martin Rapide	Jaguar XFR
Length Width Height Wheelbase Kerb Weight Drag cX	5019mm 1929mm 1360mm 1989mm 1950kgs Good question…	4961m 1877mm 1460mm 2909mm 1891kgs 0.290

Powertrain/Performance
When 8 cylinders play 12, you might think the outcome was obvious. Not in this game, where the Jaguar's mighty supercharged V8 out-punches the Aston for both power and torque. The Aston wins on aesthetic grounds, both when you open the bonnet or when you're listening to the engine note as the V12's howl is a lot more exotic than the XFR's V8 growl. Both cars are well served by six-speed automatic gearboxes with paddleshifts and sport modes, but the Aston's rear-transaxle unit aids weight distribution.

	Aston Martin Rapide	Jaguar XFR
Engine Capacity Cylinders Valves Max Power Max Torque Max Speed 0-60mph *Standing Kilometre Combined mpg	5935cc V12 48 470bhp@6000rpm 442lb ft@5000rpm 188mph 5.1secs 23.9/139.7 secs/mph 19	5000cc V8 32 510bhp@6000rpm 461lb ft@2500-5000rpm 155mph (limited) 4.7secs 23.2/146.9 secs/mph 22.5

*Autocar road test figures (All others are manufacturer claims)

Rolling chassis
Both our contenders get double-wishbone suspension at both ends with anti-roll bars, and a full complement of electronic driver aids. Whereas the XFR's adaptive dampers are set up to provide little real-world difference between normal and dynamic modes, the Aston offers owners a genuinely split personality. It's a luxurious and refined cruiser or hardcore sports machine with limpet-like grip and supercar-flat cornering that could add up to a significant advantage - on a racetrack. Both feature fabulous brakes and fine steering, but the Aston wins again for ultimate feel.

Across UK roads we suspect there'd be little to separate these two flying machines for pace, but wouldn't you like to see them go head-to-head at a track day with Jaguar's Mike Cross and Aston's Ulrich Bez at the wheel. Anyone want to give us odds on the result?

	Aston Martin Rapide	Jaguar XFR
Front Susp Rear Susp Front Brakes Rear Brakes Wheels Front Tyres Rear Tyres	Independent double wishbone Independent double wishbone 390mm discs 360mm discs 20ins alloy Bridgestone 245/40 R20 Bridgestone 295/35 R20	Independent double wishbone Independent double wishbone 380mm discs 376mm discs 20ins alloy Dunlop 255/35 R20 Dunlop 285/30 R20

Verdict
You pays your money, makes your choice - the money being £62,600 for the Jaguar and £139,950 for the Aston Martin. We'd tell you which one we liked the most if we could, but for once the usually agreeable PH office was split right down the middle.

But, that's a total cop-out, so I'm controversially using my casting vote to give it to the Jaguar XFR as the better all-rounder at less than half the price. Obvious, innit..?

[E21_Ross]

2 very nice cars. i prefer the aston's interior, and i think it looks slightly better but the price difference is an awful lot.

money no object i'd pick the aston simply because i like it, but i'd happily settle for the jag

if i could afford either that it

[E21_Ross]

Pushi said:

Oh the other hand the XF (despite the odd hint of Lexus here and there) looks better resolved, honest and fit for purpose.
I guess that's why if I were in the market for a watch I'd be more likely to end up buying a Timex and not a Rolex.

not lucky enough to own a rolex myself, but my old man does and that seems to keep track of time pretty well

[E21_Ross]

Zod said:

Triple7 said:

DB9 'looks' starting to age now. XFR and an XK for me.....

All subjective of course, but for me, the DB9 is as close to timeless as modern design gets, whereas the XK has the shape and the dynamics, but ruins it with crass detailing, the rear lights and random bits of chrome bling in particular.

agreewith zod on this one. lovely design, maybe the reason you think it's looking "old" is that aston have used what is effectively the exact same design on every car since.