Comments on: Jaguar XF-R Review & Road Test

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:38:25 +0000

The kid in me would like to smoke it up, but I am just too much of a d#head to safely drive an XFR. I dont drive enough to make poor fuel consumption a big factor – the V8 ranges from 12 litres for a highway/city mix to 16ish driven hard around town, but doing less than 15000km per annum it doesnt trouble me (and gives me more opportunity to buy Krispy Kreams at the petrol station). Intellectually, the V8 is right for me and the family, but I cant help but be jealous of the SV8/XFR owners.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:20:05 +0000

Peter, it sounds like you might be just as happy with the N/A V8. Better traction, better fuel consumption and definately worth the shot unless you really want the S/C edition so you can be near the cutting edge of subtle performance. I think I’d be the same actually, I’d like the performance but without the fact that the wheels want the break ground at the first possible oppourtunity on my conscience, as well as the huge fuel consumption. Not ideal for long trips where frequent stops to fuel stations is undesirable.

By: Peter

Peter — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:13:52 +0000

rub it in, big fella. I have a severe case of supercharger envy. My inner Mad Max is very jealous.

By: Clueless

Clueless — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:32:57 +0000

Another Cretin here. Fact the Ford has the best high beam headlights of any car on the Aussie market. When the halogen lights are that good, bi xenon as not needed. Check various reviews.
Talk about morons. Bi Xenon headlamps. In this country with our speed limits the Falcon headlight win hands down.
If you want Bang &Olufsen, rip out the FPV unit and put one in.
Realist you are such a petty tosser.

Go and get a life simpleton

By: figo

figo — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:25:26 +0000

but man that M5 thing is butt uglyyyyyyyyy……………..

By: Buck

Buck — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:47:03 +0000

I do like an honest punter. If I was picky I’d also comment on the cheap looking plastic switchgear, but that’s really a bit of nit picking.

What really counts apart from the obvious, handling performance e.t.c. is the style, look and feel of the car and how it makes you feel when your driving it. Interesting what you had to say about the Passat CC, I too find that a most attactive car. I guess its a clasic case of beauty is only skin deep.

Better sign off, I’m off to join Jenny Craig and start my diet to feel more comfortable in that SV8. Have I mentioned how much I want to hear the big cat’s whine ??

By: Buck

Buck — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:38:02 +0000

Hi John,

Most of what you’ve said I agree with. You are quite right regarding the XFR’s 0-100 of 4.9 which is its weakest statistic, (as you point out this anything but).

Seeing as your a man of taste I thought you might be interested in the stat’s achieved by well respected Autocar N.Z. on their F6 evaluation in October 2008 and the Jaguar XFR current issue November 2009.
F6 0-100 4.82 seconds 80-120 2.64 seconds
XFR 0-100 4.90 seconds 80-120 2.60 seconds

As you pointed out, these cars have absolutly devastating in gear acceleration. Where the Jag wins out is when it gets a chance to really wind out and deliver the full 375KW on the quarter mile with a time of 12.6 seconds which is at least 3/10ths quicker than any stock F6 I am aware of.

Having said that an F6 or F6E is still an absolutly amazing performance experience at a fraction of the XFR’s price, albeit with just a fraction of the Jag’s style, panache and refinement. Very few people will have the luxury of cross shopping an XFR and a F6E, but I reckon they make an interesting comparison. I can tell you from driving a XFS Diesel the other day they’re a great car but with grossly insufficient top end punch compared to my current ride BF2 Typhoon.

The Jag is also considerably smaller inside, its a true mid sizer so if your a big bloke like me and maybe considering one of the XF Jag’s, nows a good time to start the diet !! On the other hand if you comfortably fit in an existing large Aussie muscle car, then you can keep drinking beer to your hearts content, (I suspect this and the price difference will be the telling factor
for many blokes, myself included !!)

By: Buck

Buck — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:18:31 +0000

Peter, its almost like you read my mind, that’s exactly what I have been thinking. With a year old SV8 you get nearly all the trick gear of an XFR, all the performance you can realistically use, the world class B & W stereo system, all at a knock down price because its not the absolute latest and greatest, besaides as you astutuely noted, the SV8 still carries the supercharger “whine” and I reckon I’d just love to hear the big cat “complain” over and over and over again, if you catch my drift.

I’ve got my eye on one and for about $110-120,000 I reckon that its something of a comparitive bargain compared to an XFR.

It sounds like you really love making your Cat growl and it keeps the kids entertained, as well as the “big kid”, so it can’t be wrong. Good on ya mate.

By: The Realist

The Realist — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:50:50 +0000

E39 M5 is a classic.

By: The Realist

The Realist — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:48:46 +0000

Not really – e.g. the lack of xenons or LEDs in $80K rep mobiles from FPV when whitegoods have them is pretty poor.

Luxury isn’t power windows and 6 speaker sounds systems anymore – it’s the likes of Bang & Olufsen, HUD, etc…