Not a bad vid! Pretty much spot on if you ask me!

 

Wish I had to make that choice!

 

The v12 vantage would be a much better matchup with the Xkr-s. I would like to see those cars head to head.

 

That near identical power match would make for a more level playing field, as would matching coupe against coupe, or vert against vert. Probably no appreciable difference in performance, but likely a subjective one. But I just think it's great to see the XK Series put through the paces in any manner!

Interesting how the tester noted the Jag's laid back dynamics that became very focused as the pace quickened. That's exactly what so many other high performance cars just can't do, and driving them becomes uncomfortable to some extent. It's not like most owners spend most of their time on the track, but when they do it's nice to know that both the XKR and XKR-S transitions to that duty...and will make the equally gorgeous and desirable Aston its bitch on lap ONE!

Bruce

 

Agreed! And speaking of XKR and track duty I'm on my way back from the Jaguar Driving Academy in Miami. Very eye-opening the potential of these cars. More to come on that later!

 

Bruce ...and will make the equally gorgeous and desirable Aston its bitch on lap ONE! HAHA!! Love it!
Fair enough ...not a 'perfect' match up
I never had the chance to drive the Vantage ...but I only sat in it ...and with a seat that didnt adjust and my fat-*** ...i just could tell that no matter how much a car people say it is ...i felt 100% more comfortable in my Jag.
No doubt rolling around in an Aston would be nice ...but i'm so much more for the quality and comfort of the Jag! ...and I love the Dynamic mode and the paddle shifters even if I'm a bit of a traditionalist. And as previous said, 98% of the time in driving to work in it so I'm happy that it is a sleek cruiser ...but when I want to open it up, it responds!
Thanks for sharing the vid!!

 

Just drove my XKR-S on the freeway yesterday...effortless speed!! THE GLORIOUS NOISE!!!! I dont think I could ever live without her...yes...repair bills for the rest of my life but she is WORTH IT!!!

 

Hopefully, not too many repair bills. I have had my car for coming up on 1 yr and 7.5k miles and no issues thus far. Plus, the RS is the end of the current Xk/Xkr model lineup, which is usually is good for reliability.

 

In a straight line the XKRS would smoke it but on the track I'd take the AM. I own the XKRS and it has issues. A great GT but not a sports car. The AM is a sports car. Lighter, better balanced, stiffer suspension all make for taking corners much faster. I don't know how well the Vantage works as a daily driver. I use my XKRS as a daily driver and it's pretty tame unless you push a couple of buttons and then she wakes up! Peace

 

I wish my XKR had a stick, but it's a pretty decent compromise.

 

Have you driven either on the track?

Bruce

 

The XKR-S Will take the AM 0-150 due to it having much more horespower and torque: XKR-S: 550 chp @ 510 lb/ft trq. vs AM: 510 chp @ 410 lb/ft trq.

 

I think you are underestimating the track capabilities of the Xkr-s. Ring time for jag is 7:51 vs 8:03 for v8 vantage.

 

Hey Bruce,

Yes I track the XKRS. I have not tracked the AM. Top Gear did an episode at the Isle of Man (SP?). I think it was a couple mile race against time. The cars were the Vantage, M6 and I think the 911. The Vantage beat the M6 even at a HP disadvantage of 90 hp. YOu have to take weight into consideration. The Vantage weighs about 3600lbs while the 2010 M6 is about 4000lbs. It also depends upon the track, which car will perform better. I'd still put my money on the AM vs the XKRS. I would be very pleased to be wrong since I'm an XKRS owner. But I'm a little annoyed at Jag for not doing something about the tendency for Jags to spin with very little provocation. The XKRS is not an easy car to race. I don't want to come off like some super driver. I've only tracked it a couple of times and I'm not the best driver but I'm going back for more in an effort to get better.

 

[QUOTE=Octurbo;664003]I think you are underestimating the track capabilities of the Xkr-s. Ring time for jag is 7:51 vs 8:03 for v8 vantage.[/QUOT

What year was that Vantage? I am referring to the Vantage S, V8. I'm pretty sure the V12 would smoke the XKRS on the track. You would have to compare the XKR to the regular Vantage. Also the Nurburgring is a 14 mile track with alot of straights. That's where the XKRS can definitely take advantage of a less powered car. I think the numbers would be different at another track - any other track. Good point though!

 

XKR-S would rape a V8 AM, and I believe it will beat up a V12...

 

Just one more data point. On the top gear track, the Xkr-s has a better lap time (1:23.3) than any Aston they have ever tested- this includes DBS, virage, db9, v12 vantage, and older vanquish (Xkr-s was over a second quicker than the fastest Aston)
I agree with you that it's not an easy car to track (i have only tracked an Xkr), compared to other cars (Porsche 996TT and c6 vette for me). The Xkr-s has a tendency to oversteer, so you have to ease on the throttle, compared to some other cars. However, it excels for a gt car in breaking and straight line speed.

 

[QUOTE=drc;664419]I just checked - it was a regular vantage (not a S) that was tested on the ring. However, the Xkr-s has a much better posted time compared to the DBS (fastest Aston listed)

 

The 550 chp @510 lb/ft trq. XKR-S does the 1/4 mile a 1/2 second faster than the 510 chp @ 410 lb/ft trq. AM Vantage V12.

 

I have not tracked my XKRS . I don't plan on it either... But I am going to the academy this October. I cannot wait to see how the regular XKR performs on the track. I would assume that they do not allow XKRS models to be in this Academy? Hopefully they have an F-type available to drive around and at least. Any thoughts on how a V8 F-type might stack up to the Aston Martin brand or even the XKRS?