Handed my first "loss" today. I've taken Panamaras, every type of BMW and Audi you can think of until today. At a red light an E55 AMG pulled up. Young guy, kinda gansta. I knew it was gonna be on. I should have used sport mode vs. dynamic, but he took me by only 1/2 car. What was funny is I saw him looking into his side mirrors the whole time with surprised and somewhat uneasy look to his face, thinking to himself, how is this large cat nearly catching up to me...


At the next light he gave me the thumbs up, and I him. Cars nearly same weight, but he had a full 100+ HP on me and lots of German torque. XJ AWD 6-SC had a proud showing though :-)

 

Ah, those were the days. Laws against drag-racing here in North Carolina are really stringent, and most take many seconds to even respond to a green light, no less get their slow *** in gear.

 

A 5.0 V8 XJ would have taken him. Don't ask how I know!

 

without even switching modes?

Thats like playing tennis barefoot.

You're at a light, A guy is testing your desire to run and you forget to take the 2 seconds to press a button and turn a dial to engage your modes to make it a fairer fight with a car half your size? If you are going to succumb to these temptations, practice using your paddle shift and get comfy using shift points within the power band. Theres basically no reason to even engage if you're not going to take your car out of luxury mode,,,You're in a XJ sir. Few race luxury cruisers, but damn if you must, take advantage of everything at your disposal.

A few seconds of preparation may have reversed the result, keeping your unbeaten streak alive.

I actually always drive in dynamic mode now because I don't like the sloppy handling in economy mode.

 

I know I know I know...I actually forgot about what sport mode did (new car) so instinct was just to go dynamic. Sport would have helped for sure as I selected that last night to try and it really gives a boost. Still, the E55 is a serious car and looking at the guy I know 100% he had it modified...

 

I love this reply, because it is so true!! The v8 XJ would have had him instantly, so just thinking what and XJR would have done!!!

 

yup...http://www.edmunds.com/jaguar/xj/2014/road-test.html

 

I would not expect the E55 to lose to the Supercharged V8 by much or at all. It came out with understated numbers from the factory and then Motortrend had it at 4.1-4.2 quarter. I own both the XJL Supercharged and a E55. Stock, mine did 11.95 at 119mph. There are many of these old girls around now owned by younger folks who might not be keeping up with maintenance (like the intercooler pump) which significantly affects performance. Easy to modify, they are absolute monsters. The XJL has some torque, but not as outrageous as the E55. Surprises me the V6 did that well if the E55 was healthy.

 

AWD kept the V6 in there during the red light to red light distance. Also has better transmission.

I do agree, the E55 is a beast though. Same league as XJ V8. But, I owned a Benz AMG and I can not see the E55 in the same league as an XFR or XJR. Maybe E63...maybe. The R modern day versions are downright nasty. If Jag ever offers XJR AWD, I will purchase immediately.