The V8 coupe got only rwd, but the convertible got 55 more hp and awd. How much faster is the 2016 R convertible than the 2014/15 v8s?
How much faster is it off the line, and when accelerating above 30mph?
Is it just a technical difference? Or more of a 'feels faster' situation?
I'd like to hear your logical arguments, and also your opinions

 

The AWD and extra HP will make the 2016 R Convertible probably a couple of tenths faster to 60mph. So maybe 4.0 vs 3.8 (Jaguar published times). But in other situations where traction is not critical, the extra HP will be negated by the extra weight of the AWD (think it's something like 170 extra pounds). So in most situations it's probably a dead heat.

 

All the reviews show the Jaguar published times as being understated. As I recall, reviews show the V8S doing 0-60 as in as low as 3.6-3.8s and the RWD R coupe doing as low as 3.4-3.5s. I am still waiting to see a review with times for the AWD R models. But from what I've read, AWD is expected to shave off 0.2 sec off the R coupe time, and the R upgrade plus AWD is expected to shave 0.3 sec off the V8S times on the vert.

Of course not all 0-60 tests are made equal, so who knows how accurate they are anyway, so I take all 0-60 test numbers with a grain of salt. Either way AWD should improve 0-60 times by a small amount across the board since the RWD V8 had issues putting the power down. I don't think the 170 lb weight difference will curtail that tremendously.

 

I'm a bit confused if you are asking about the differences between the AWD and RWD or the V8S vs the V8R convertibles?

However, in real world driving in the UK, the power difference between the MY15 2WD V8S and the MY16 2WD V8R convertibles, (both of which I have owned) is barely noticeable.

Also I have never had a problem with getting the power down just to the rear wheels only - it's all about driver skill.

 

I don't think this is true. I think in most situations the AWD will be a quicker (not more fun tho, for most people) tool because it allows for you to get on the power so much earlier. And that half a second every corner more than makes up for a small weight addition.

Nope... absolutely not. You've never had a problem keeping the wheels from spinning perhaps, but you cannot tell me that your driver skill magically increases rear tire grip so that you can put 100% of the power down all the time. The RWD model is limited to the amount of power it can put down in 1st and 2nd gear, and that's just physics. There's more power than 2 wheels can handle at low speeds, and AWD solves this dilemma.

 

One of the things I find most "enjoyable" with my rwd R is that you can't just "floor it" at low speeds in 1. and 2. gear (sometimes even in 3. gear) and point it in the direction you want to go.

With traction controll fully on, it will reduce wheel spinn and hold down on power, but it does take skill to get the most out of the available power.

And setting it to track-esc or esc off makes it an even bigger challenge. That is what I want from a sportscar, and that is what I have got.

I don't mean to say that an awd R is too easy to drive, but I would think it lets you get away with more than the rwd version does.

I used to have a awd modified Audi TTS, that was surprizingly easy to drive quick thru corners. And it was also "forgiving" if you pushed the limits a bit too far. It was a fun and good car to drive "active", but after a while I found it a little too easy.

The awd R is in another league power wise and with a very different awd system (rear biased). But coming also from Supersport bikes where throttle modulation is of major importance (and what makes it so fun and challenging), the rwd R is what I wanted - even though I am sure the awd R is the fastest car.

 

awd R coupe dynamic with traction off I get no wheel spin- giddy up and just go. This is in ambient temps about 80 degrees. Doesn't matter If I hold with brake or just nail it

 

Should have clarified, I'm talking about straight line performance. I do think AWD will result in faster lap times.

 

And the AWD will most certainly demonstrate faster straight line times, as well faster lap times. In the AWD R, all you have to do is bury the throttle, all 4 will hook up, and the computer won't be retarding the throttle for you because you're losing traction as it invariably does in the R. Alternatively, if you turn off traction control in the RWD, you'll be losing time either spinning your tires, or modulating the throttle to try to hook up.

In a 1/4 mile race, the RWD won't be able to make up the time lost trying to launch the thing. Perhaps in the Texas Mile, or a rolling start (BS in my view), it would do better.

 

Let me clarify again:

* "typical" track I think the AWD V8R (Coupe and Convertible) will be faster than all V8 variants.

* 0-60 mph I think the the AWD V8R (Coupe and Convertible) will be faster than all V8 variants.

* 1/4 mile I think the AWD V8R is be **barely** faster in ET but same or even slower in Trap Speed than all V8 variants

* From a slow roll (say above 30 mph) I think it'll be pretty much dead heat

* From a faster roll (say above 60 mph) I think the RWD V8 variants will be faster

* top speed - not sure if the F-Type is drag limited, but if not, I'm guessing the RWD will have a slightly faster top speed.

* braking (say from 60mph) - advantage to the RWD

It's a tradeoff between traction (AWD) and weight (AWD is heavier). Just depends on where in this traction/weight circle you are.

My other point is on repeatability. For example, in a 0-60mph or 1/4 mile run, it is very possible that a RWD with a very, very good driver can get that 1 in 100 perfect launch. But it's extremely hard to reproduce. Whereas with AWD you can reproduce the best times much easier.

Of course all of this assumes dry, track like pavement.

 

I agree Shift.

 

The extra power and traction will make the 2016 faster. It can get more of the power down sooner and more often with the AWD. Is that difference measurable? Yes. Is it going to be something you can feel from driving it on the street? No. Or not to my butt duno anyways. I've driven almost all variants looking for the right fit (14 V8S, 14 V6S, 15 V8R coupe, 16 V8R convertible). If you want the AWD for the rain, I totally understand that, but there's not that much between them as far as speed goes. Besides, the SVR/Project 7 variants will have more power than either of these.

 

The few lap times we have as comparison the V8S has been the fastest. Check the lap times for Laguna Seca, however the R there has been RWD I believe ...


sorry browser won't allow me to hyper link:


Laguna Seca (post 1988) lap records - FastestLaps.com