Hey all,

New here and looking at picking up a '15 Black F-Type R.

I was originally under the impression that the R was always AWD, but I didn't realize, after looking at the car, that the '15 is specifically RWD. The car I want is nearly 3,000 miles away so going and test driving isn't really possible.

My concern is the rear wheel drive and having the car "get out from under you." Is this common? Or do you guys think with a decent tire (no pirelli) that it should be okay? I ask because I previously owned an older Dodge Viper and also a Challenger Hellcat; both were pretty much impossible to put the throttle down because the power just simply wouldn't go to the ground (on the hellcat) and putting the power down on the Viper would land you either in the ditch or doing a 180 on the highway. Is this the same problem with the F-Type R (2015)? That's my big concern. Are there any '15 R owners here who can verify and let me know how it is to drive? I understand that smashing the pedal all the way down probably won't get it to do much but spin or lose control, but I mean even under slow throttle push with the Hellcat was just "forget it, it's impossible"

Thoughts? Thanks everyone.

 

I only have a measly V6 F-Type but there are lots of posts, views and opinions on this forum about the RWD F-Type R and how controllable (or not) it is.
Bottom line - yes you can get into trouble and wag the tail or even spin it if you are stupid, but as long as you drive reasonably sensibly and have decent tyres (NOT the crappy OEM Pirelli P-Zeros) and you leave DSC fully on then it's actually a ***** cat, and nothing like as hard to control as a Hellcat or Viper.

 

Much appreciated. I figured this might be the case, as being easier, considering the Hellcat had super skinny tires and the Viper is literally known for doing this, especially the one I had (2010).

 

I have a 15’ R, RWD...I had the P-zeros on it until recent and during the summer the tires gripped well despite what people say around here. I drove the car pretty hard some days and barely felt like I was losing control. ( mind you Im coming from multiple Corvettes and caddy CTS-V ownership) I do leave the full traction control systems on when spirited driving as I don’t want to meet the ditch. Lol
now if you want to lay down a nice tire patch turn off the control systems push down hard and hold on.

 

I have had a c63 amg, modified BMW M2, modified BMW M3 and many other very powerful RWD cars.. I can whole heartedly tell you this is the easiest car to slide/drift/oversteer. The power is immediate and the supercharger system delivers a flat powerful torque curve instantly. The famous Jonhy Liberman from Motortrend once said the 2015 Jaguar F-Type R is one of his top three favorite burnout machines right there with Dodge Hellcats.

All that being said, It is completely safe and harmless unless you hold the traction control button for 5 seconds. You will only slide/drift/burnout if the traction control is COMPLETELY off. The traction control system is really smart on this car.

 

I had a '15 R and now have a '20 R. The '15 can step out easier than the '20, but in no way is it dangerous or difficult to control. The '20 feels more planted, but in some ways I miss the '15.

 

Yes, but..

... electronics do a very good job keeping it under control.
... any RWD car with 500+ HP would do that. You can't just mash the pedal on car like F-type.
... stock tires are garbage, upgrading tires improves this a great deal.


F-type is more like Hellcat than Viper. You need to practice gradual throttle application, because I drove both VIper and Hellcat and it is possible go WOT on these cars without inducing slip or slide.

Reading this, I think you should go with an AWD car.

 

I have a tuned multiple dynod 560 WHP RWD 2014 V8. Its a p.ussy cat, my best driving car in 4 deacades of owning all kinds of sports cars.

Getting sideways is no issue, the magazine reports are on OEM A/S passenger tires. I don't understand why Jag equipped the car that way.

One thing I don't like is the eDiff or TSC clicks the inside rear wheel brake as you turn on to a road from a stop and accelerate. I think it is triggered by the sharp steering angle because you can hear it as you turn the wheel, at least with a 2014. It overccompensates if you step on it even moderately and you have to actively straighten the car. Thats why I hate engineers "helping" from a continent away.

So yes if you put the pedal to the floor the car will shred any street tire in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and sometimes 5th. I put MP4Ss on and they are no match for the V8 in a straight line even with TC on. A friend just put Cup 2s on his AWD SVR and complains he still has wheel spin off the line. I'm going to take a few more miles off these and try R888Rs for better drag strip 0-60 and 1320 times. I'm stuck at 3.4/11.7 with plenty of wheel spin. My local track isn't the best prepped.

To your q, the car is predictable and goes where you point it. The 15 R is the F-Type to have as it is as light as an AWD V6 with the least drive train loss.

 

I bought it . Well, not 'it', as I bought a different one other than the black I was previously looking at. But now I need to change my username because it's not black lol

I absolutely LOVE this thing!!! It's so comfortable and so fun to drive. Totally agree that it's not as ridiculous as the Viper. At least the electronics help a little, but they definitely don't help get the power to the ground, they just prevent you from dying I suppose ha

I definitely need new tires, though. About 25% tread left and I can't do ANYTHING. Even pushing the throttle what feels like 1/10th of the way and the tires are spinning. Even in 4th like was mentioned.

I had some Pilot 4S Sport tires that I put on my Viper and did notice a significant difference with those. I think I may do the same with the R. Hoping that will help. Drag radials would certainly be nice; but then I worry about if it rains while I'm out and about.

If anyone has any tried and true tire recommendations, please let me know.

By the way, RacerX, I have NO idea how you are getting a 0-60 time like that. Mine's probably 6 seconds lol Can hardly get off the line without spinning out. And then if I press it lightly, I'm not really going much faster than a mustang GT. The current tires on it are Continental Extreme Contact's. But again the tread is pretty worn down.

I love the R888R tire. Looks like it would definitely be fun. But I take mine out to run some errands occasionally so they wouldn't work for me

Thanks for the info everyone!

 

What color did you get ? Where are the pics ?

congratulations 🎉


and if you find a way to change your user name advised please. As I’m also not driving an XKR anymore. Lol

 

Thank you

IRR!

edit: eh, I'll wait til I can get some pics that aren't in my driveway. don't really care to dox myself/address

 

I saw your pics before you removed them lol. Beautiful car with the black pack and wheels. I also had the black lower rear defuser which I removed and had painted IRR to match.

 

PMing one of the forum moderators can get the username changed.

 

I wouldn't floor it at no/low speed with TC totally off unless you've done it a few times in a big open space. Definitely not turning around a corner or driveway like a Mustang leaving a car show. The 2015R gets go ape when you do. When in dynamic mode it is about as loud as a stock car could be in that scenario which adds a lot of drama. Once for me is all it took. Fun and thrilling though.

As far as general control with TC engaged it has never scared me or gone out of control like many of my past cars. Had a 1991 MR2 Turbo that would go into insta-spin mode if you let off the throttle mid corner. 1992+ models were tamed.

 

i have pointed mine the wrong direction on an occasion or ten...but once you get used to it and if you don't turn off the TSC its very manageable, i would almost call it controllable. Keep in mind its still a 500hp RWD monster...its in her DNA to want to kick out to the side.

 

I always felt controllability issues with the '15 R were overblown. At least in my experience, when it stepped out, it was manageable. Now I never turned off Traction Control because I am an unbelievable driver in my own mind, not so much in reality.

 

It's the ultimate drift car, or as Jezza Clarkson said, "it will stick it's tail out more readily than George Michael. You can do power slides for days"

 

What might one expect when passenger sedan tires are installed on super cars?

Discuss.

 

I think the same as you and I think it is the fault of the asphalt that the rest of the partners have. With dry asphalt I can tread thoroughly in 2a and the car does not lose traction. Not where I live (Madrid, Spain). I also know that in other areas the car is uncontrollable in 2a.

From Madrid to heaven we say here

 

Let me explain..... I have a white F type r 2015. This car is ridiculously dangerous! That's why I bought it.
The AWD version is more for people who want to drive like a professional driver. The RWD Ftyper, you actually have to be a professional badass behind the wheel. "That's why I bought it.
Carrera GT for example is not controllable, no traction control, it is a raw hyper porsche. That is what this car is.
( Considering Paul Walker, I should be nervous RIP)
I race sportbikes, I have had ridiculously fast corvettes, Lambo Merci lp640, AMG's, M Power BMWs....My boys drive 720S, Huracan, GT3's, 500+ club,,,, so yes I am a complete hooligan.....

This car does oversteer when you punch it and change lanes at the same time. The scariest feeling ever. It feels like the wind is blowing the car off the road. Smh
Dont panic, just back off of the gas and punch it again!!!

This is the rawest Jag ever!! Dont be proud of the AWD.
In the end less than 50 RWD FType R Jags were purchased in America total. That's why I bought it.

It feels good to be scared of my car. "Thsts why I bought it.
Plus this car gargles down the street!!!!!!!

Pics of my 2015 RWD/// 21" front 22" back wheels