can someone explain what the difference between Sport mode and Dynamic mode are? I have a 2012 XJL Portfolio

I understand sport mode makes the throttle more sensative and keeps the car in a lower gear for as long as possible

does dynamic mode firm up the steering and suspension? I drove around town last night and kept switching between the 2 modes, didnt really notice a difference.

Does the exhaust get louder by any chance? i didnt think it did but for some reason it sounded louder last night........i guess it was a combination of breaking in and cold weather

 

anyone?

 

Dynamic Mode firms the suspension, makes the throttle more responsive, and holds shifts longer to take advantage of the engine staying in the power curve. Sport Mode results in the transmission shifting faster and holding in gears longer for maximum performance.

 

Doesn't Dynamic mode also turn on the active seat-belt pretensioning? I think it's supposed to help secure you to the seat during hard cornering and braking.

Unfortunately neither mode provides rev-matching downshifts like the XF, XK and F-Type (except on the SuperSport models, XJsss can you verify this?). Seems like a big omission.

 

The owners manual is totally vague as to what the "Dynamic Mode" selection does, i.e.:

"Dynamic mode co-ordinates the vehicle's control systems to deliver a high performance driving experience. This setting enhances key vehicle systems so that the vehicle's full potential can be exploited. The vehicle's responses are aimed at involving the driver more in focused and purposeful driving helping swift progress."

I would appreciate any knowledgeable (versus speculative) explanation as to what all this gobbly-gook means in real terms. Does it really firm the suspension? Can anyone site an authoritative source that supports this conclusion. What are the drawbacks in driving full time in "Dynamic mode"?

Thanks

 

Definitely rev-matching on downshifts on the SuperSport.

I'd be curious to understand:
D = std handling and shifts
S= ?
D + Dynamic mode = ??
S + Dynamic mode = ???

 

My best response to these questions may be that when I attended Jaguar Performance Driving Academy in the Fall of 2013 we had a basic and an advanced class (today they have 3 levels 1 and 2 are the old basic and level 3 is comparable to the old advanced level). I took both on successive days. Driving with the likes of Davie Jones and Roberto Guerrero among other racing instructors. All the vehicles (XKR, XFR, and XJR (LWB)) were set on Dynamic, Sport Mode, and Traction control at semi off. Davie said that when he drove his XJ on the street he always had Dynamic engaged because the car handled tighter and better.

 

What's the downside of driving our cars in the advanced modes as the default.

The answer would logically be diminished gas mileage, but how significant? Another side issue may be wear and tear as our cars would have to "work" a bit harder in these aggressive modes, and over time our cars could get a bit tired, a bit faster.

In a perfect world I would only drive in regular mode on long road trips where my goal was to improve economy.

I plan to do a week in Dynamic, a week in basic, and a week in sport mode and see how significant the mileage difference is. If were talking just a MPG or so, I plan to switch to Dynamic as my default. If were talking say a 4 mpg difference, then I will use Dynamic on a pick and choose basis.

Has anyone else already done a real world test?

It would also be helpful to know exactly how Dynamic and Sport modes affect each other and if one is better than another in terms of default daily driving.

 

Your assumptions are valid, I think. I'm content to drive my F-Type in default mode almost exclusively, using Dynamic in those infrequent times when I'm really in a hurry or happen upon a stretch of open road that really invites full throttle. I use Sport mode more in slow-and-go traffic because it'll hold lower gears longer to avert lugging from premature upshifts (and also because in normal mode the 8-speed, when I'm decelerating, wants to hold higher gears too long before downshifting, which can also cause lugging).