Although I am approaching 60 (years of age), I never grew up .
I noticed the magazines tested 0-60 acceleration times for any of the XF models are all over the map. This means it is not easy to launch this car consistently.
Looking at the 2010/2011 XF 5.0L as example:
Official - 5.5 sec
worst - 5.9 sec
Best - 5.1 sec

2010/2011 XF 5.0L Supercharged:
Official - 4.9 sec
worst - 5.2 sec
best - 4.3 sec.

Any thoughts on the best technique for these cars?

 

I personally don't think that has to do with the car being difficult to launch. For the S/C, I think the official number from Jaguar itself is intentionally understated to not take sales away from the "R". If the performance numbers are similar, it might be harder to justify an extra 13k for the upgraded R.

 

I also think the times vary because of different techniques. Some magazines will abuse the car more, for example, by using techniques you and I would not use on our own cars. These techniques might yield better times. Also, the track conditions vary (temperature, elevation and surface make a big difference). 0-60 times are only a guide to estimated performance, and most useful for comparing results by the same magazine on different cars. So if C&D tests an XFR at 4.3 sec. and an XF SC at 4.6, the XFR on avg. will be faster than the avg. XF SC. But if Motor Trend tests an XF SC at 4.3, that doesn't necessarily mean it's as fast as an XFR.

 

At the hands of Car and Driver XFR and XF 5.0S/C showed similar 0-60 performance, after which the XFR pulled away. 0-100 times were 9.5s for the XFR and 10.0s for XF S/C. Mind you 10s to 100mph is not exactly slouchy

As for different techniques...You gotta rememember that launching a blown hi-po car will always be difficult.

I'm no great drag racer, but I'm sure I'd be able to achieve Jaguar's claimed time of 4.9s 0-60 in XF S/C. That's why I like to read C&D test results (as an indicator of what the car can do in the hands of an expert), but obviously manufacturer's number will be more achievable by an average driver (me) capabilities.

 

This number is subject to all manner of fiddling from not counting the first half second to downright abusive driving techniques. My sense is the XF is darned quick in ordinary real world driving which is what really counts.

 

I've noticed for *decades* that C&D always has the faster acceleration times. Whether it's down to expertise or outright thrashing, I can't say.

I dunno how well the intercoolers work on the newer supercharged Jags but my oldie XJR is *undeniably* faster with a cold intercooler on a cold winter morning...as opposed to hot intercooler and the middle of August.

Cheers
DD

 

Jag uses liquid cooled intercoolers which presumably run at engine temperature. Cold ambient would improve boost until the engine came up to temperature. Thereafter it would only be a marginal effect all engines get in cold weather.

Air cooled intercoolers in front of the radiator are markedly affected by very low ambient temperatures. Since most modern boosted engines are knock limited the effect is most noticeable when the engine is still warming up.

 

OP - You asked about technique. Try this:

(1) Sport shift mode
(2) Dynamic mode
(3) DSC completely off
(4) Left foot brake and mash the gas - the RPMs will hold around 1500
(5) get off the brake and hold on
(6) don't forget to shift

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-control-7037/

 

I call these times

0 to ticket (0-60)

0 to jail (0-100)

Both are quite easy to achieve unless in a controlled setting... hahaha

 

I am personally interested at acc times rather than top speed too . XFR is no joke and seriously can beat any would-be sports car he he