I'm considering an XFR and had a question about the transmission, I previously had and M3 with the sequential manual gearbox which functioned similar to the paddle shifters found in F1. Are the Jag's shifters similar to this or are they more like the tiptronic paddle shifters so commonly found on the market? This isn't a deal breaker for me, but I would be interested to know.

 

Is it what kind of gearbox the XFR has? It's a torque converter 6 speed automatic.

Is it how do the paddles work? The left paddle shifts down and the right paddle shifts up.

Does the gearbox shift automatically in manual when you get to the redline? Yes. But in "S" you will hit the rev limiter and have to change yourself.

Can you alter the speed of the shifts? Yes, put it into "S" and the shift speed increases.

Were any of those the question?

 

In S the transmission will still shift up at redline unless you also have and engage the dynamic mode. It is of course pointless to drive a road car on the redline so this "feature" is included so that journalists don't throw a hissy fit..

Also, the transmission will shift down for you even if you are in a manual mode, if the rpm get too low in the judgment of the computer. Again, dynamic mode may change this and if so it will be for the reasons described above.

The big plus for the ZF Automatic fitted to the XF is that the transmission operates on the lock up clutch from second gear upwards whether in automatic mode or not.

This is far superior to the now very much outdated tiptronic system and streets ahead of regular automatics of days gone by.

In essence ,the ZF is equivalent to a manual transmission except when moving off from rest. The torque converter multiplies the torque in first gear but after that it basically functions to smooth the engagement and disengagement of the internal lock up clutch.

This is functionally similar to the now outdated electro-hydraulically operated manual transmission/clutch units which are rapidly being supplanted by double clutch transmissions.

Technology is now divided between double clutch transmissions and ZF type automatics with lock up clutches. Fully manual transmissions will soon be optional items, if available at all. Mercedes even has a planetary automatic transmission with no torque converter, using an electro-hydraulically controlled clutch to allow the automatic to shift.

The shifter lever is fast becoming an anachronism. The new Jaguar transmissions are now all controlled by the rotary selector and steering wheel paddles, no shifter lever is required.

The only ****le is that it is quite easy to inadvertently activate the paddle shifters as they are small and close to the wheel rim for convenience. You will find very little use for these paddle shifters for 99% of your driving, the automatic modes are so good.

 

Thanks! That really helps!