Ran a Jaguar Club of North America Slalom event (aka autocross) on Saturday. It's a standard course layout that is used by all member clubs. Times are registered nationally and annual class champions are awarded.


In 2015 I was JCNA Class M National Champion in my S-Type 4.8 with a time of 46.62 seconds.


Last Saturday I ran my XF for the first time. Was still trying to figure out shift pattern. Used the paddle shifter alternating between selecting 2 and keeping it in 1 (the course is tight so gear changes are generally not needed).


On my second run, with the trans set to 2, and with no drama what so ever, I ran a 46.2.



And based on how relaxed the run was, it's clear there is much more to be had.


XF AWD soundly beats an S-Type V8.


:-)


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Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car
Oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car
Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall, and
Torque is how far you take the wall with you

 

If, on that kind of course, a same-sized more recent car with AWD could not beat an older one without AWD it would be a surprise.

 

>If, on that kind of course, a same-sized more recent car with AWD could not beat an older one without AWD it would be a surprise.



Well, the XF is basically a rebodied S-Type (they share the same DEW98 platform with the Lincoln LS and the last Ford Thunderbird) but with a boosted V6 rather than a free-breathing and larger V8. So it must, in fact, be the AWD.


The confusing thing is, however, the XF is a pig on weight compared to the S-Type. It weights ~400 pounds more.
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Jaguar: Grace, Pace, and Space - Sir William Lyons
Current: '15 XF (X250) Portfolio AWD 3.0 (it's aubergine)
Past B: '08 S-Type 4.2
Past A: '05 X-Type 3.0/auto Jaguar Racing Green