Some of you saw my other thread about deal to turn in my 2010 Premium lease 18 months early for the 2011 S/C.
Well, I have the new S/C for 3 days now, and to be honest, not overly impressed so far.
1) The only way I know it's an S/C from driving standpoint, is by the much lower gas milage compared to the N/A. My normal commute to the office went from 18-20MPG to 15MPG right off the bat. I have no problem with that, if I could feel any difference in performance but

2)I don't 'feel' much increase in power at all. In the N/A, I could clearly feel the difference when engaging Dynamic mode. With the S/C, I don't feel any difference, no firming up of the damping or engine noise or power, anything else.

Do I have to let the car/powertrain settle a bit? It had 40 miles when was picked. I drove 70 miles so far.

3) The B&W audio is much nicer than the standard system I had before, but the AM radio reception is terrible. I can not listen to the talk radio station in the morning anymore.

 

There is an extra 85hp vs the old car you had. I'd have to say there is something seriously wrong if you can't tell a difference between the new SC car and your old one. Didn't you test drive it before you bought it or was it a different SC XF?

 

I believe there is a break in period of 1000 miles...but even then you should feel more power right off the lot.

 

You should feel a difference of course, but not as much as one might think. Having driven all three at length, I would make the following observation:

The NA XF is a fast road car by all normal standards. I also find the performance to be very useable and accessible - you can ask for 100% of what is available and it will give without scaring you. The handling is fairly soft but I found it to be quite a wieldy bit of kit. It even sounds better than an S/C from the cockpit, quite honestly, which gives the driver perhaps more 'feel' of performance. The S/C and the XFR are certainly a lot quicker but it is less accessible performance in my view and with the XFR it can corner and accelerate so fast that you really don't need to (nor should) push it hard on the road. So by all measurable standards, the S/C is a much faster car than the NA, but subjectively it doesn't really feel as big a step up. While most of the members here seem to agree that the S/C is the pick of the bunch (value for performance/kit) I really think that a basic NA XF is a cracking choice and if the extra performance, all the kit and the more aggressive looks/image is that important, the XFR is the one for you. The S/C is a bit of a conundrum, neither tops for performance or value. The XFR isn't significantly more expensive (for anyone with ~$60k to spend on a car) than the S/C for those who favour performance and isn't a great value choice compared to the NA either. As a pre-owned decision it does change the picture a bit but I expect the XFR and NA to hold their value better than the S/C does as they represent a clear choice.

I read your other thread on the deal you got and agree it was a good offer, but did you talk to them about a similar trade up to an XFR?

 

Well, I stopped back at the dealer, and had one of the 'fast' salesman I know drive my S/C. His own car is the XKR, and he also just got back last week from Jaguar R driving school on the track.
We took it out, and he put it in 'S' and Dynamic. He took off like a bat out of hell, hitting 110 MPH going up the hill in no time. I almost peed in my pants sitting next to him. He said 'it's definitely all there'. He agreed with me that in the S/C the difference of Dynamic mode when in 'D' is not as obvious as in the N/A. The thing is, I don't like to drive in 'S' normally around town, as it never wants to upshift.
I agree with 'darlo' that the engine growl is not as noticable as the N/A, it is more subdued in the S/C, and the engine even feels smoother. Maybe this lack of aural feedback threw me off.
I also agree the N/A is a sweet all around car.
I did not want the XFR - too much 'in-your-face'. I like the sleeper approach better.

 

I gather that you are now duly impressed by the S/C.

 

I'd agree "S" mode is the way to go with the SC version. You don't need to drive in "S" mode all the time. You can flip back and forth between "D" and "S" at anytime. If you want to really mash the peddle flip the shifter over and go. Then flip it back when your done. I wouldn't ever drive around in "S" mode for an entire trip unless I was manually shifting. If you aren't flooring the car the revs sit up too high and it gets really annoying.

I honestly haven't noticed much of a difference when I press the dynamic button. Is there a description somewhere of what it should be doing when you put it in dynamic mode? I usually turn it on anyways though.

I almost think "D" should have been setup so when throttle position is past a certain point (80%) it will rev out the motor like it is in "S" mode but have the revs drop back down and shift normally when you let off. Then you'd only use "S" mode on very rare occasions or only at the track.

 

Thanks guys. Think I should calm down, and just enjoy the car.......

I am starting to think the S/C power band in this car is tuned such that the mid-range is very strong. The torque at low speed/rpm acceleration conditions (normal urban) is not that much different than the N/A in real life.
So far, I haven't taken it on the highway. I think 60-100MPH+ area is where it will shine compared to the N/A.

 

Aha! So you haven't fully explored it yet! I am still getting to know my XFR after three months so it is a bit much to expect to form an opinion after three days. The NA is fast but you can feel it start to lose breath and need to rev it to get the best from it. With the S/C and XFR if you keep your foot in it just keeps pulling, and pulling and pulling. And then it carries on pulling. You won't find the limit on the road, but for the most part you will not have the room to try. So I would contend that where it really shines is the 40-160mph range!

I appreciate your sentiments on the XFR. This is exactly why I went for it - the standard cars are too "Jaguar" for me. Compared to the opposition, the XFR is way less in your face and less of an obvious choice. Relatively it is still a sleeper. Anyway, they are all great cars! Enjoy yours!

 

Definitely wait till you do some highway runs before you judge the perceived performance. 5.0L S/C will blow you away, I'm certain of it. It's got 424lb-ft of torgue way down low and some 470hp...despite the weight, it should absolutely fly!

 

These engines are very tight fom new and loosen up noticeably after about 25,000 miles. During break in I found that I was not pushing my foot down through the artificial transmission kick down point on the gas pedal. I say artificial because the point is very evident as an increased resistance at about 75% throttle and requires a firm push of the right foot to plant the throttle on the floor. There is no kick down linkage of course as transmission control is purely electronic, but Jaguar included the feel of a kick down point in the gas pedal which is quite useful really.

Whether you use S or D full throttle is the same. You get full power in either transmission setting when your foot reaches the floor.

Once the engine reaches 1,000 miles just find a straight bit of road and floor it. I guarantee you will notice the extra torque from that supercharger. Higher horsepower is not relevant in North America because we drive so slowly but that punch fom the supercharger is unmistakable. The normally aspirated car is good but the SC or XFR is just a different beast.