Test Drive Jaguar XFR since 2009 Sedan
Sushing Test: Jaguar XFR, BMW M5
BMW M5 was, there will probably always be a reference in the world of supersdans, so the new Jaguar XFR is not avoiding a duel with a recognized favorite The day behind the wheel of Jaguar XFR causes to believe in the impossible. But the point here is not at the speed, from which the spirit captures, and not in magnificent handling. This is more than just a quick sedan. The world waited for this car half a century. Did XFR justified hopes? Hope, which, as it seemed yesterday, is never destined to come true.
In 1959, Jaguar made his first sportsman, putting a 3.8-liter motor on the popular MK2 model for the popular MK2 model. The exceptional speed potential of that car was amazingly combined with congenital nobility, and he rightly took a place in one row with the legendary Jaguar models. Alas, a worthy heir in MK2 3.8 was not. So it lasted 50 years until XFR appeared.
For Jaguar, is a huge step forward, but is XFR able to change the alignment of forces in the superman's class? Answer the BMW M5 will help us to answer this question, whose authority does not need comments. These cars are very close at the price, capacity, dynamic indicators and image. Only sowing behind the wheel, you will realize that each of them has a special taste.
War Motors
A targeted race on M5 on winding roads on the hills of Andalusia does not leave doubt in the complexity of the task that is facing the new XFR. Armed with a V10 engine and a 7-speed robotic gearbox, BMW immediately impresses a more progressive car compared to Jaguar, which is content with the Motor V8 and the traditional automatic machine. And it is even before you get courage to press the POWER button next to the KP selector, using all 507 Bavarian horses. For the 4-door sedan, the M5 habits are aggressive to indecency. For example, at 6000 rpm, when the Jaguar motor goes to its maximum power, BMW only sprawles the wings. And from the piercing sound of the German V10 per marking of 8000 rpm grasses blood.
But the racing nature of the M5 motor has a backward side. The peak torque is small - only 520 nm - and is achieved only at 6100 rpm, so the engine has to turn diligently to use all its potential and maintain the pace that XFR specifies.
Absolutely new compressor V8 volume with a volume of 5 liters per Jaguar takes care of no power (510 hp) and not even torque (625 nm), but by the fact that this colossal thrust is already available from 2500 rpm and does not fade up to 5500 rpm. According to rumors, the engine is capable and more, but engineers had to be slightly cut it because of concerns for the health of the transmission.
The XFR engine works quietly quieter than the V10 on M5 or 4.2-liter compressor V8 at now already removed from the production of XF SV8. Because of this, the driver seems to be the speed of Jaguar easily. Even too easy and freely, because when overclocking the gas in the floor sometimes you want more saturated sound. However, the XFR on the plan of its creators is not only a sportswoman, but also a comfortable business class car, and in the business class it is customary to do its work without too much noise. As far as well, XFR does its job, one digit says: the overtook acceleration from 80 to 110 km / h he makes every 1.9 s. As noted in Jaguar, only Mercedes SLR McLaren is capable of cars with ACP for faster jerks. The cherished hundred XFR is gaining less than 5 seconds, and up to 160 km / h accelerates less than 10 seconds, and the rearview mirrors in the rearview mirrors convincingly confirms the dynamic characteristics declared by the manufacturer.
The driver M5 is not easy to keep up with XFR not because BMW is not fast enough. With clean speed at EMCI full order, but due to the relatively modest torque of the motor, you need to carefully follow the choice of transmission. Nevertheless, during the day, Jaguar regularly went to the separation from BMW, clearly demonstrating its dynamic superiority during overtakers and in other road situations.
The use of a conventional machine, and not the more advanced transmission of the DSG type with two clutches or a robotic box, does not spoil the impressions of XFR. But his faceted, but not always an obedient SMG robot on BMW is one of the weakest places M5.
The submissive switches of the ZF automaton on Jaguar allow you to lightly change the transmissions, but the mighty motor reduces the need for this to a minimum. If the M5 has to constantly hunt for optimal turnover, here you can simply include IV transmission and relax using the unlimited stock of the engine thrust in the wide range of revolutions.
But for the sophisticated and stupid driver BMW is a real find. Compared to Jaguar in the nature of M5, much more enthusiasm, and this enthusiasm is infectious. Someone the ability to adjust the power of the engine and the gear shift rate will seem meaningless poles, but the choice is always better than its absence. In the end, each of us gets driving with a different mood, and BMW allows you to adapt the car to the tastes of any driver.
Superstar and young
Over the years, different generations of M5 had unconditional superiority over Jaguar sportsmen, but today everything is not so unequivocal. The more time I spent at the wheel of the BMW, the more distinct it was his age. The current M5 has been three years old, and five BMW as such and at all. It seems to be not so much, but in the presence of an ultra-modern XFR, these years make themselves felt. And that is the most amazing, most of all this is manifested in turns.
Jaguar car handling has never been a reference due to the fact that the company's marketers insisted on softer and comfortable suspension settings, and engineers did not use high friction differential on the rear axle. Now everything has changed. XFR received an ADC active differential borrowed from Range Rover. The electronics changes the degree of blocking the differential from 0 to 90% and allows you to reveal such the capabilities of the XF chassis, which previously could only guess. The contribution to the case contributes and the final suspension. The rigidity of the springs is increased by 30% in comparison with the version of SV8, transverse stability stabilizers are replaced with thicker, and CATS adaptive shock absorbers gave way to a more advanced Adaptive Dynamics system, which smoothly changes the rigidity of the racks in the widest range, and not just switches between several fixed modes.
However, self-locking differentials, as practice shows, often provoke insufficient rotating at low speeds, and XFR is no exception. At the output of slow rotation, the differential helps the rear wheels are better cling to the asphalt, but the front tires sometimes do not cope with the side overloads and begin to slip outward. Fortunately, there is a way to overcome this phenomenon. It is only necessary to turn off the stabilization system by allowing a mighty motor to cut the rear axis into a skid. With smoke from under wheels, XFR willingly return to the desired trajectory. Only here to change the tires with such a manner ride will have often.
However, to reveal the true character of XFR and enjoy them, extremism for nothing. On the high-speed winding highway, the south of Spain, Jaguar demonstrated the collence, not peculiar to the machines weighing 2 tons. From the accuracy of reactions to the steering steering and iron grip tires breathed the spirit.
BMW M5 behaves more bold, but this audacity is not always relevant. At low speeds, nothing interferes with the pleasure of the wheel, and the controllability M5 should be recognized more neutral than that of XFR. However, with an increase in the tempo, he gets harder for Jaguar in turns. BMW holds the road is not worse, but the steering wheel and chassis at high speeds are not informative enough. And if the asphalt is not accustomed, the suspension does not effectively control the body fluctuations. In general, M5 is no less fascinated in control than XFR, but more demanding to the driver, its skill and concentration. Only on braking BMW uniquely exceeds Jaguar.
XFR causes admiration not because in most cases it makes it easy to leave M5. The fact that the year of the year is growing, there is nothing surprising. But Jaguar managed to raise the speed and dynamics to the new height, without sacrificing comfortably, which is especially noticeable in the long road. On the course of XFR tougher than any other Jaguar sedan, but this rigidity is never annoying than, alas, it cannot boast M5. The problems with the smoothness of the stroke for BMW are especially annoying, as thanks to a more spacious salon, this car is more suitable for traveling four, and in Jaguar on the rear seats is closed. But by the aggregate of impressions, the new XFR confidently takes the revenge for all the former Jaguar defeats in duels with BMW sports sedans. This earlier wild cats loved for the aristocracy and smoothness, closing their eyes to shortcomings in the dynamics. Today, XFR gives the M5 fight on all fronts. Contrary to the declared indicators of overclocking Jaguar faster on direct and obedient in turns. It is no less pleasant to manage it, and squeeze all the juices from it are much easier. If you do not rush anywhere, it turns out that it is quieter and more comfortable. Finally, XFR is cheaper.
Just do not think that the BMW M5 suffered a crushing defeat. No no and one more time no! If you need a car that requires training, like a wild stallion, if the bold character is more important for you than the smoothness of the course, then M5 is still out of competition. This model was, there is an extra-class sports car that skillfully pretends to a family sedan.
Nevertheless, most drivers, if they bring ride on these two machines, most likely come to the conclusion that XFR is better. However, there is one but. Jaguar took 50 years to reach the level of the best sports sedans in the world. The new M5 will appear in just a year. But this year can change a lot.
Specifications
Jaguar XFr.
BMW M5.
Dimensions, mm 4961x1877x1460
4855x1846x1469.
Curb weight, kg 1891
1855
Engine type gasoline V8 with compressor
gasoline V10.
Working volume, cube. CM 5000.
4999
Max. Power, hp / rpm 510/6000
507/7750
Max. Moment, nm / rpm 625/2500
520/6100
Transmission Automatic 6-Range
robotic 7-speed
Rear-wheel drive
rear
Max. Speed, km / h 250 *
250*
Acceleration time, 0100 km / h, from 4.9
4.7
Fuel consumption (medium), 12.8
14,8
* C electronic limiter.
Andrew Frenkel
Photo of Stan Papior
Haymarket Magazines Ltd, AutoCar
A source: Magazine "Autopanoram"
