Enjoy the read gentlemen....

V8 Supercars Sedan Showdown - Comparison Tests - Road & Track

 

Not sure I agree with the scores they gave the XFR-S. They didn't say anything about the XFR-S having poor interior driver support yet it was rated last. They mentioned the Panamera having horrible seats but it still beat the XFR-S. The XFR-S should have easily beat the group in the exterior styling department yet it was put in the middle. It sounds like the wing really pissed them off...

Thanks for the link!

 

Not a problem.

I have to agree with you. That's exactly why didn't take first, as I am not fan of the wing myself. But i can understand Jaguar, they want to go to the extreme in efforts changing "old man car" perception to "Jaguar is hip".

Everyone knows both AMG and M lie about their HP numbers. They are always over by 60-70hp.

M5 being in 625hp range with Launch Control, should pull much better times than the XF-RS. I am little puzzled about XF-RS 3.7 to 60mph vs M5s 3.8.

 

Great read, thanks for sharing...

I have to say even though the XFR-S finished 4th, there's something that can be taken away that's positive:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/cm/roada...roMarkup-1.pdf

If the comparison is done strictly on the first 5 or 6 columns only, taking:
- "Driver Comfort/ Support"
- "Exterior Styling"
- "Interior Styling/ Ergonomics"
- "Gearbox"
out of the equation... It puts the Jag in a much better position... one could argue that 3 of those items are quite subjective, so it really comes down to personal taste... the fourth being the "Gearbox" which both the Audi and the Jaguar have the exact same 8spd ZF Auto Trans, yet the Audi gets a 4, and the Jag gets a 3.5???

I am still impressed with how the Jaguar did, and it would have been nice if they had at least provided a column for price as tested... I am sure this would have given a much better perspective of what you get for what you spend.

 

If you want another good read take a look at this one:

Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 vs. Porsche 911 Turbo S vs. Nissan GT-R Comparison - Motor Trend

The video near the bottom is great.

 

From what I gather after reading the article, it seems that Jaguar is spending an awful lot of time on engine performance (all to still come in at middle of the pack) and zero time on interior and technological improvements. As the article stated, 5 years and no significant improvement on interior functionality is a lifetime in the auto industry. I could easily be a "homer" and just point out all of the positives, but I want more from the company. If Jaguar wants a seat at the table, they have to engage in the full course.

 

Agreed... The interior interface needs improvement but it hasn't been 5 years. They didn't mention the change during the move from 2011 to 2012. It was fairly significant.

 

You have to take all of that with a grain of salt. Styling is subjective and personally BMW makes some of the most boring, dated interiors to date. That's not just coming from me but from several of my friends / family who have owned them. The XF had some of the best fit and finish of any car I tested in the segment. I will give it to Audi that their interiors are superior. In my opinion they always have been.

Audi just took the lead for global luxury sales and for good reason: Audi Passes BMW in Sales to Take Lead in Luxury-Car Sales - Bloomberg

An RS model is on my list for a replacement for this car in the future, if I don't end up in an F Type.

 

I am a very huge fan of BMW, but their interiors is what drives me away from their cars.

The problem with most auto magazines is that, most of those guys do not have enough knowledge on specific models.

Jaguar interiors has gone through a significant change in the last 10 years than BMW has and by a lot.

For example.

2014 BMW M5 steering wheel


2002 BMW M5






2002 Jaguar S type




2012 XF

 

For me it's not just about the "looks" of the interiors. I guess that I'm just as much into technological gadgetry as I am into engine performance. 100k is 100k, so I guess I want it all. If other brands offer it, Jaguar can as well.

 

I would say that even though the Jag interior appeals to me more than any of the others, the criticism of the touchscreen is warranted. The screen in my MY12 XF was far slower than my MY08 (or the MY11 XKR which uses the old blue screen too), the reverse camera took ages to come up, as did the music to turn on. And the information was so cramped it was hard to find things when I was driving, and I'd sometimes push the wrong thing. But aside from that little peeve, I think that the interiors of the XF are streets ahead of the competitors (in my mind at least). A friend has a new A8, the interior in that looks like a very cheap copy of the ivory/oyster XF interior.

 

I have to agree about the comments on the technology/interior focus... I never really gave it much thought until I got my new work car -- 320i... It's the base model and wow it is pretty crazy what it does... But I wish it had a touch screen instead of the iDrive.
Jag does need to step it up here. But I think these [car review] guys need to factor in the pricing as to get all of the stuff you want/need -- it was a $46 sticker... That's just crazy for the lowest car in the BMW line-up. I mean for what we pay for our XF...

 

I find it a bit suprising that they selected the car with the steering not no. 1. The ultimate driving machines are not best in class for the top characteristic I look for in a car. One of the reasons I didn't buy a BMW550 and bought the Xf. I do believe the M5 is a more custom engineered car than the Jag, but would then also expect more in this critical category. I would like the opportunity to participate in such a test comparison to rate and select a winner. Can't do this from reading and very subjective regardless.

 

All of the 5 series line have electric power steering, but the M5 which has hydraulic. I would imagine that's the reason, you didn't like the 550.

 

At the time (2011 model) the AwD 550 still had hydraulic steering but not still not as smooth as the xf. Although the M5 has hydraulic, the reviewers were not overly complimentary. The electric in the non awd I didn't like at all. Not sure if BMW has adjusted the feel.