In manual sport mode, does the 2007-2009 4.2 XK upshift automatically to the next gear when hitting redline? I haven't had a chance to test this on one, but in my two test drives I do recall this behavior.

People say the 2010 will hold redline no matter what.

 

2010+ doesn't upshift if you are in manual-sport-dynamic. If dynamic isn't on, it will upshift.

 

My '2008 XK DOES upshifts automatically slightly below the redline. I always found that unsettling as just about that time I would pull the manual lever to shift. But, something keeps the transmission from upshifting 2 gears (one automatic, one manual).

Albert

 

axr6, what modes do you have it in? This would be really annoying to me! Can anyone else confirm this for a 4.2 XK/XKR?

 

In DS, using the manual shift paddles.

Albert

 

Do the pre-2010 cars not have dynamic mode?

 

My 2008 does not have dynamic mode.

Albert

 

I wonder if the "modes" are different between the XK and XKR. I thought that there was always dynamic mode, and it's not supposed to just make the transmission more aggressive, but also tighten up the suspension and such.

 

Any ideas? I'm about to go on another test drive of a 2009 XKR just to see what it's like, but I don't know how to unlock all the different modes.

 

The XK and the XKR have the same modes. Apparently, though, the pre-2010 versions don't have dynamic mode, and it is that mode (together with sport) that prevents the upshift at redline.

For 2010+ cars, dynamic mode is turned on by pressing the button with the racing flag, which is located right in front of the parking brake (and next to the ASL button.)

 

Arghhh, that's annoying. But not as annoying as the 2009 XK coupe I just test drove. Even in "sport drive" mode using the paddle shifters, if you mash the gas pedal down at 2000-3000 rpm, it will downshift into the lower gear just like a regular slushbox automatic. Very disappointing!

I don't know if this is also the case with the 4.2 XKR, which I also test drove just before test driving the XK coupe. Does it downshift automatically when using the paddle shifters?

 

Hmmm... I was just reading the owners manual for the 2009 XK/XKR, which I imagine is the same for the 2007-2008 XK/XKR.

It says for manual operation of the sport drive mode:

This could be a deal breaker for me. I just really couldn't get the car to do exactly what I wanted it to do. It kept shifting when I hit redline and would downshift when I mashed the gas pedal. Am I alone on this?

 

I thought that the XKR had Dynamic mode but, not sure where I'm getting this memory...?

I don't have ANY problem with my XK downshifting when I slam the pedal to the floor. After all, why would I slam the pedal unless I wanted maximum acceleration, which is what I get when the tranny shifts into the lowest viable gear.

I did have more of an issue with the car upshifting on me BELOW the readline, usually just a short moment before I pulled the shift lever. I always got disoriented for a couple of seconds, not sure if I was in the next higher gear or two gears up. As I mentioned before it only upshifted one gear, ignoring my subsequent pull on the paddle. Of course, I would prefer if the car would NOT upshift but, hit a rev limiter if exceeding the redline.

Albert

 

Yup, I think I could live with it upshifting at redline. But downshifting when mashing the gas pedal is not ideal. Sometimes I want wide open throttle without going to redline, especially in a car with as torquey an engine as the XK/XKR. For example, when coming out of a turn at 3000 rpm or so, I'd rather mash the gas pedal and go up to 5000 rpm or so to maintain the balance of the car. Instead, with the XK, I ended up having to feather the gas pedal and only give partial throttle, or to force it to downshift, taking me to redline almost immediately. It resulted in the drive not feeling nearly as engaging it could have been. It really operates just like the old transmission in my X350, except with smoother, more responsive shifting and paddle shifters instead of that god awful J-gate shifter!

In my test drives today, it didn't seem as much of an issue with the XKR, because if you are mashing the gas pedal in the XKR, you're going pretty bloody fast for public roads.

I am unsure of my next steps. Do I still want a 4.2 XKR? Maybe I just want a non-R 2010 XK with the 5.0L and dynamic mode. Or perhaps there other cars in the Jaguar lineup that are in my price range ($40-45k tops) that have this dynamic sport mode (fully manual shifting) like the XF or XJ?

A lot to think about!

 

Well, I was thinking about this shifting behavior all day, and maybe it's not the deal breaker I'm making it out to be.

There is so much that I love about the car. In fact, that shift behavior is the only thing I don't like about it. I think the reason I don't like it is because pushing the pedal all the way to the floor is the only way I can truly enjoy the glorious exhaust of the car, and I don't always want to be going at warp speed to hear it.

One of the best things I like about the car is that when you don't want to drive like a maniac, it's extremely comfortable and refined. Not to mention the most beautiful car you can get on this side of $100k. I think I am still in the market for an XKR!

 

An XF or XJ is not a substitute for an XKR...if the XKR truly is the style, packaging, performance and exclusivity you're looking for. Nor will the lower performance of an XK be, or probably any other brand or model either. The details of the tranny, nav or back seat won't matter...you already know all you need to about the inconsequential stuff.

Carefully decide what you want for all the right reasons, don't go back and endlessly reassess them, recognize that you will want something different at some point in the future (probably the 5L XKR next!), and that's okay and part of being a car enthusiast, focus on looking for that car when timing and finances are right, and enjoy your current ride and life to the fullest until that time. We certainly wouldn't want you to develop an obsessive compulsive disorder, get all A.D.D. over it, or get decision paralysis after over analyzing every detail!

Bruce

 

I would suggest you take a serious look at a 2010 XK. I just got back from an incredibly exhilarating drive in my 2013 XK. The whole drive was on country backroads, with lots of curves and hills, and speed limits of 45-55. Well, I put my baby in DS and dynamic, and was going 110 in a matter of seconds. Honestly, I wasn't comfortable going any faster, but the car sure could have gone a lot faster. The speed and handling, together with the Mina exhaust, is everything I could ever want. While the XK may not have as much power as the XKR, and won't run on a track like the XKR, it certainly is probably more car than most people could ever wish for...or handle. This car is soooooooooooo fast.

 

I think I could do a 2010 XK instead of a 2007-2009 XKR. Unfortunately, all 2010 XKs are wayyyy out of my price range. I may buy a 2007-2008 XKR and then trade it in in a few years for a 2010 XK/XKR if it makes sense.

 

Ok. So, you have to understand that the 2010+ XK/XKR has a ton of features that didn't exist prior to 2010. Therefore, you shouldn't get crazy when you look at a pre-2010, and you see that it doesn't have the features that a 2010+ has. There is no free lunch. Since you're on a specific budget, don't torture yourself by wanting (and expecting) features that you can't afford. Either that, or put your search to bed, and start it again once you can afford what you truly want.

 

The problem is that almost everything I read indicated that the 2007+ XKs had a fully manual mode, or at least that's how I interpreted it. Even video and written journalistic reviews of the car indicate this, which is strange, since it's not really true. Maybe someone here can understand my surprise when I found out there is no real full manual mode on the 2007-2009 XK! And no, I didn't realize that all of these well-known XK/XKR features only existed on 2010+ XKs. I thought 2010 and 2011 XKs just had some entertainment features, front fascia, and a brilliant new 5.0L engine!

That being said, I might be able to forgive the upshifting/kickdown behaviors in sport "manual" mode, just because almost every other aspect of the car is absolutely awesome. I just love it all! The look, the luxuriousness, the feel of it, the exclusivity. One sweet car!

I think an automatic car will be good for me, too. In a manual car, I can't help but to drive the hell out of it at every chance I get!