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It's a lot of damn power and freaked me out a little i love the 4.2R and wanted to compare the V5 base and R. There's not a base 5 near me but the R, holy smokes! I'm not sure i want that much.
What Ralph said...... Power is addictive, and when you go backwards in power you may find yourself thinking while you're passing a truck on highway... "Come ON already! GO FASTER!!!"
If you're worried that the 5.0 supercharged is too much to handle, just push the little snowflake button next to the shifter. It's mellows out the throttle so it's not so scary. That's why it has a picture of a snowflake on it.
I went through the same process when I was in my search. I test drove a 2012 XKR at a dealer in Miami that allows for unencumbered solo drives. I took it out and ripped around town for 30 minutes or so and was IMPRESSED with the power. In my case I know my propensity for heavy throttle and that perhaps it was not a good match for me. While I can afford any car I want with any amount of power and acceleration that equals or surpasses an XKR if I am behind the wheel I will test that limit way too often. No self control I tell you...so I bought an XK as a limiter. I drive as an alpha, when I have a merge point and the option is to slow down or speed up I speed up, if cars are going faster I cannot just cruise, I gotta be in the pack and at some point leading. The XK is more than capable. Besides, in todays world there are so many fast cars the XKR while special is not the fastest.
For me at that time I had a motorcycle that was 0-60 in 3 seconds so everything else was slow by comparison, although I did sell that because 160mph was too addictive.
The XKR is magnificent, no doubt. But an XK 5.0 is no slouch either. Try driving the XK and put it in both sport mode from the button and by putting the shifter in S. If you are really looking to amp it up also disable the traction by holding that button for a couple of seconds. If you elect the traction option proceed with caution, 385hp can kill you also. When you have it in HOT mode and are really ripping you will get your heart rate up and probably **** off some people.
There are few places where I usually drive that I can use the 420HP in my 2009 4.2L XKR or the 470HP in my 2013 5.0LSC XJ. But I wouldn't be happy without either one. I'm addicted to the XKR exhaust note (with fuse 19 pulled) and the low-end torque of the XJ. No one needs that much power for normal street driving, but once you try it you'll want it!
The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys. The road of life is short, so enjoy the ride!
Last edited by Stuart S; Jul 21, 2019 at 10:43 AM.
I didn't have any other consideration then to get an XKR. Just thought it would be fun to have that kind of HP under my foot. If I could have waited a year or to I would have looked for an R-S but I found what met my criteria and bought it. I don't hit the go peddle much but when I need it it is there. The availability of XK's was easier to find so depending on how soon you want to get in you're best choice might be one. Enjoy the ride.
We tested a 5L XKR before we bought the 4.2 NA. Thought the car had too much of a modern feel. We liked the older car more. Great power delivery though.
I didn't have any other consideration then to get an XKR. Just thought it would be fun to have that kind of HP under my foot. If I could have waited a year or to I would have looked for an R-S but I found what met my criteria and bought it. I don't hit the go peddle much but when I need it it is there. The availability of XK's was easier to find so depending on how soon you want to get in you're best choice might be one. Enjoy the ride.
I may be eating my words as I just saw the youtube trailer on the 2020 Corvette C8 announcement. Looking at the video in my opinion it look pretty slick but only 490 HP. Then again it's 0-60 times are under 3 seconds so HP isn't the know all , end all. Starting at $60K this may tickle my fancy even to the point that I'll have to drive one. And I thought the XKR might be my last car. ?????
I may be eating my words as I just saw the youtube trailer on the 2020 Corvette C8 announcement. Looking at the video in my opinion it look pretty slick but only 490 HP. Then again it's 0-60 times are under 3 seconds so HP isn't the know all , end all. Starting at $60K this may tickle my fancy even to the point that I'll have to drive one. And I thought the XKR might be my last car. ?????
I read that the BASE C8 will have 490 hp, the Sting Ray a bit more, then the Z06 quite a bit more than that. I'd assume north of 600 somewhere.
I read that the BASE C8 will have 490 hp, the Sting Ray a bit more, then the Z06 quite a bit more than that. I'd assume north of 600 somewhere.
Given numbers I've heard thrown around, I really wouldn't be shocked if the new Z06 is more like over 700. It truly is a great time to be alive and into cars.
call me a wimp, but the V5 R...
