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…

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:15:53 +0000

Funny you say that. Case on point, I was recently very much taken by the passat cc. Looks great on paper – 0 – 100 in 5.5, paddles, DSG, looks brilliant outside, reviews were great, so I was all to buy it to replace my wife’s 5 year old s40T5. Until I drove it. Seats horrible, dash acres and acres of cheap plastic, couldnt see the screen when there was any sun, blinded by aluminium trim, interior just tacky really, didnt feel comfortable at speed. What a let down! The s40T5 was $15K cheaper but a far better car (for us), so we have bought a new one instead. And I’d been ready to buy the cc just based on reviews and specs, but it was just uninvolving and boring. If its just numbers, then the jag loses, but it is a lovely car to live with (except for the cheap plastic pretend brake vents, which really crap me off!)

By: Tony

Tony — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:55:14 +0000

agree with John. I know it’s not the best sporting sedan in the world. Who cares?

I would prefer an XFR over a Quattroporte or Rapide and most definitely over the abominable Porsche Panamera. It’s probably boxing over its class there but there’s something about the Jag… it’s just got that zing other sporting sedans don’t have.

People don’t seem to realise that cars in this class aren’t all numbers and ‘ring times and that crap. It’s a fairly irrational purchase in the first place and cars that have that spark are above mere 1/4 mile times.

By: John

John — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:37:19 +0000

If money was no object I would buy an XFR over any other saloon in the world. Everyone concentrates on the 0 – 100 time for the big jag when comparing it too it’s competition etc and that is its weakest stat (if 4.9 can be called weak). The mid range punch of the jag is amazing. For comparison an auto F6 is currently one of the fastest accelerating sedans in the world in the 80 – 120 increment with a time of 2.7 seconds (an M5 is 3.0 seconds) . A manual 997 turbo is 2.6 seconds only a tenth faster than the Aussie F6. The XFR does 80 – 110 in under 2 so another 10km/h should only add a couple tenths. This car is in GT2 territory in the midrange. It packs a huge whallop once up and rolling. Seeing I am not Rockerfeller, I have been evaluating a HSV S1 Senator (the S2 has not won me over YET) and an F6E. Both offer world beating performance, handling and luxury in the price range. Are they a match for cars at the XFR level? No way in hell but they do offer a great drive for the money IMO!

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:10:13 +0000

Hmmm, well I was coming out of a car about as quick as the SV8, and found that big acceleration at 100kph plus is too tempting for me, so I’d had a few heart starters where I’d thought I’d been snapped being a little enthusiastic. I decided to go with the V8 in a period where each day I was waiting for a notice to come through the mail, and I had decided I needed to settle down. $30K extra is a lot to pay to go from 6.2 in the V8 to 5.1 in the SV8, coz the interior was specced the same. The XFR is probably out of my budget, but if it was $180K I’s seriously think about it (I have a thing for bonnet vents and painted calipers). Active diff and shocks wouldnt help me – I tend to only punch it in a straight line and with clear vision, and I wouldnt take a $200K car onto the track. It’s too dangerous around here to drive fast on the windy roads, bikers tend to cut corners and you’ll collect one coming the other way. So, yes, happy with the V8, and I can actually get my family to get into the car without having to drag them from under the bed or drug them (which was the case with the previous car), so they are happy too. I agree with you on the engine noise – the V8 sounds gorgeous, especially at over 4,500rpm (which is why I use too much juice). They’ve stopped the supercharger whine in the XFR, which sucks IMO.
Not knocking the ford, but why not try a 12 month old SV8?

By: blah

blah — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:47:51 +0000

Suggest anyone comparing the opposition check out this month’s Top Gear mag

By: blah

blah — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:45:43 +0000

Big call

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:09:28 +0000

The M5 is probably a better car all round but seriously… the current M5 doesn’t have the draw for me like the e39 m5

If I won the lotto I’d get the Jag over the E63/M5… the car just draws me in.

The M5… is sterile. The E63 is ugly.

I just don’t find the German saloons sexy at all.

By: Camski

Camski — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:57:34 +0000

The M5 is still better as a performance car (fact).

HOWEVER – The Jag has a substantially better compromise between handling (ride wise) and comfort. Of course there’s also price.

Jag should nick the system from Toyota/Lexus (which I personally love the way they work, with the exception of being locked out, however this point is moot when you consider even Benz’ COMAND locks you out overseas [not here though]). Simple and works damn well, with a decent screen too =)

By: Camski

Camski — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:51:12 +0000

C63 (note, not all the M156 engines are this bad) tips on 20 in stop start stuff.

I love how the fuel warning message comes up when you’ve still got 1/8th of a tank left =P It does go to show that they do drink a bit (excessively).

By: The Realist

The Realist — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:27:42 +0000

Yes I am serious – it’s a poor effort when the screen on a 320i Executive with Pro Nav I-drive blows away the touch screen on this car costing $150K more.

You’ll find many who love the BMW M5 – take a look at the review from a few months back. Speed, handling, features, badge and model cred… all from a 5 year old car… need I say more?

Next M5 will blow this away.