Drive Jaguar XJ since 2012 sedan

Racing limousine

Walk the Jaguar XJ Sport & Speed \u200b\u200bfor nurging.

lugplatz, Swedencroots, Tyrgarten, Adenauer Frost, Bergwerk, Carousel for someone these words are an empty phrase. But not for those who visited the north loop of Nyurgurgring. For them, these are the names of turns and sections of the legendary 20-kilometer track filled with history. The motor studied German on it driving Jaguar XJ in the Sport & Speed \u200b\u200bPack.

Sports and speed
The organizers of the test drive left Nurgurging for dessert. The main dish was the Jaguar XJ Sport & Speed \u200b\u200bsedan, on which journalists were able to ride along the winding paths around the Nordschlyife and adjacent autobahns without speed limiting. These paths, by the way, also had a chance to become part of the famous racing track: the iifel winding among the stunted mountains, with height drops, they are very similar to what we later saw 20 kilometers of green hell.


Sport package can be ordered for XJ with any engine and any wheelbase length, and its expanded version of Sport & Speed \u200b\u200bis only for XJ SuperchaRged. In Russia, this set of options is offered at a price of 167,500 rubles for a 510-horsepower version of Supersport. For Jaguar XJ S/s with 470 horses under the hood of Sport & Speed, it will cost 158,700 rubles or 172,800 rubles (including tinted glass). The external differences between Jaguar XJ Sport & Speed \u200b\u200bPack 20-inch wheels of the original design, a modest body kit and a spoiler on the lid of the trunk, as well as the brake calipers painted red.

German autobahns are good at least in that they allow this jaguar to do what it is sharpened: to rush at a speed of up to 280 kilometers per hour. Actually, the entire salt of the options package is precisely that the speed limiter works 30 kilometers an hour later than on the usual Jaguar XJ SuperchaRged. The 510-horsepower engine allows you to overcome a standard mark of 250 kilometers per hour easily, the XJ chassis, by and large, doesn’t care what speed on the speedometer is 250 or 280, and noise insulation even in such modes allows quiet conversations with a neighbor.

The sports set also includes 20-inch discs of the special design of Mataiva or Venom, a laconic, almost inconspicuous aerodynamic body kit, painted brake calipers and optional sports seats for front and rear passengers. Otherwise, this is still the same slightly twisted version of the XJ Supersport with a 510-horsepower V8 with a compressor, reinforced brakes and an active differential on the rear axle. However, later another feature of the Supersport modification was discovered: a six -speed automatic machine here works a little faster and tougher than on a regular XJ, and in manual mode is able to keep the transmission even upon reaching maximum revolutions. Sports? Yes. But why is all this a five-meter limousine with a wheelbase stretched to giant 316 centimeters?

On the XJ with a short base, where the owner may well get behind the wheel and enjoy driving, the Sport & Speed \u200b\u200bpackage would be more appropriate. After all, a long version implies the relaxed presence of the boss in the back seat, and not at the wheel.

Of course, the back in XJ Supersport was not less comfortable: a place (especially in a long version) at least play football, climate control, a convenient armrest. Everything, like the usual XJ, is only a slightly different shape and more rigid. It is difficult to relax, and the machine is constantly disturbed by sharp switching that is not suitable for a limousine. Only the presence of new combinations in the interior and raised to 280 kilometers per hour limiter of speed limiter can justify the presence of Sport & Speed \u200b\u200bPack in a long -drawn version.

Interior


The interior of the Supersport version differs from the interior of the usual XJ optional sports seats and new combinations in the decoration. For example, peach skin with black contrasting inserts.


The rear seats are also declared as sports. They are really slightly tougher and better fix the body. In the long -drawn version of the XJ Supersport, there are plenty of places behind, even though throw your foot on your leg.


Another distinguishing feature of the XJ Supersport interior is the original steering wheel with wooden inserts. However, in shape it is exactly the same as on the standard XJ: with convex knitting needles, slightly interfering with an ideal grip.

But the short XJ Supeersport with Sport & Speed \u200b\u200bpackages is a full -fledged driver limousine. A car quite comfortable in ordinary life can rush along an autobahn at a speed of 280 kilometers per hour, maybe, despite the huge dimensions, it is easy to and with pleasure to prescribe turns in the iifel mountains (thanks to a magnificent chassis and an acute active differential), and maybe go to a real racing racing racing racing track. We were convinced of this personally at the most demanding and insidious track in the world on the north loop of Nürburgring.


Northern loop of Nürburgring

The northern loop is rightfully considered the longest, insidious and interesting racing highway in the world. Founded in 1927. In the same year, the first Grand Prix of Germany was held. Since 1953, a race of 1000 km of Nürburgring began to be held, from 1970 24 hours of Nurburgring. After a terrible accident, Nicky Lauda in 1976 Formula 1 races on the northern loop are not held.
Length 20 832 meters
Right turns 40
Left turns 33
Height drop of about 300 meters
The width is 8-9 meters
The cost of one circle is 24 euros, 4 circles 70 euros, 8 circles 135 euros, 15 laps 235 euros, 25 circles 370 euros, annual subscription 995 euros

The Jaguar test center on the north holler loop, where on ordinary days the journalists were ordered. It is from here that the prototypes of future serial jaguars leave for the test of Nurburgring. But today all the secrets were taken out of here, leaving only the operating models of XFR, XKR-S and XJ Sport & Speed \u200b\u200bin the short version.


We will drive in groups of three or four cars along the loop, the first of which the instructor will lead. Our guides are former riders of varying degrees of fame, but the main thing is all know nourburgring by heart.

There is a real star Christian Danner. He has countless performances in different racing series: Formula-2, Formula 3000, Cart, DTM, Formula 1. The elderly Dunner still owns the absolute record of the circle on the north loop, which he set back in 1983 at the age of 25 on Formula-2 car. Since then, no one has been able to drive the track faster than Danner 6:28:03.


This year, a special Ring Taxi was made from Jaguar XJ. On it, professional racers ride those who wish to nourburgering.


Inside, a frame and racing buckets are installed even in the back row. It is strange to see this sports utilitarian on board the representative sedan.


The taxi painted in a matte color looks very impressive on the asphalt of Nurburgring.

We put on the helmets, get in the cars for two minutes from the test center, and we are on the north loop. The instructor’s voice sounds in the walkie -talkie: do not try to be thoughtlessly driving in full speed, do not play with the choice of gears, do not try to slow down as later as possible. Just go the track as much as possible, follow my trajectory, remember the turns and how they go one to another. As soon as someone began to flirt, a story came from the walkie-talkie like: this is the turn of the bergwerk, which is famous for the fact that in 1976 Nicky Lauda suffered a terrible accident, as a result of which he almost burned alive. And it cools well with heated pilots.


Jaguar XJ on the Nordschlyife surprised. The five-meter sedan on equal terms held on the much more sports sedans XFR and the XKR-S compartment.

The instructors repeated us about the trajectory for a reason. The trajectory is the king and the god of the northern loop. All the turns that you can imagine, they are all on nürburgring. Stiring one of the other and strung on each other in incredible combinations. The road either falls down down, then takes off uphill, where even 510 horses of Jaguar are almost gasped. Negative and positive bias of turns, blind entrances and outputs.

There is everything here. And only one who thoroughly learned all these combinations can go quickly here. Anyone who rolled over a loop of more than one hundred circles.

At first, it seemed that a huge XJ did not place in this so complicated, demanding both the pilot and to the car. But after the first ligament of the turns, it became clear that the five -meter limousine here is quite at ease. Power with more than enough for rapid acceleration, and to overcome the next protracted rise. The steering, which, in its clarity and lightness, so resembles the filigree settings of Italian machines, allows you to do exactly what the instructors require from us. Change the direction of movement as smoothly and clearly as possible, preferably with one confident movement, as on a motorcycle. Any nervousness, any sharpness on the loop means at best the loss of time, and in the worst meeting with the iron chipper. There is no time to relax.

Jaguar XFR on nourburgering


In addition to the XJ Speed \u200b\u200b& Sport Pack, we also managed to drive a couple of circles on Nurgurging on the XFR model. Oddly enough, but the XJ tried before, it seemed even more collected, and its suspension more adapted for the northern loop. The XFR chassis is tougher than that of the XJ, therefore, for example, the XFR carousel takes place with jerks and a noticeable roar in the wheel arches, while XJ was much more malleable. In addition, the stabilization system at the XFR in racing mode works rude, peremptorously chopping off the craving at the output. It is clear that thereby it helps to avoid slipping, but it’s difficult to get used to such a character over a few circles.

A special praise is worthy of the Jaguar XJ suspension. Although the rolls for a truly sports car are too big here, but the suspension is simply working excellently. Neither in the compression pits of the Fuhsrera or Vipperman, nor on the tossing of the flugpate, nor in the hard, deeply deep profile, the XJ carousel did not smash. Of course, I would like Jaguar to be a little more collected, and so that he would not change his balance when changing the trajectory. But for the representative sedan, XJ was very good on the loop. Even better than the more sports Jaguar XFR. At least, the limousine did not lag behind either him or from the brutal compartment of the XKR-S.


All Jaguar cars presented for pokatuks on the northern loop are absolutely standard serial machines, which, however, are closely monitored by the specialists of the test center.

Having visited the northern loop, it is impossible to forget it. Nordschlyife is a constant challenge. I always want to return here. To play the tenth of a second from yourself. To assert himself. Take a chance and enjoy. Or to test the capabilities of a new car. For seven circles in nourburgering XJ Sport & Speed \u200b\u200bproved that the words sport and speed in its name are by no means an empty phrase.


Alternative
BMW does not release special sports versions of its seven of the representative class. But then in the lineup there is a modification of 760i with a 12-cylinder six-liter engine (544 horsepower, 750 nm of torque) and eight-speed automatic transmission, which is sold in Russia both in short-packed (5,600,000 rubles) and in long-lead (6,200,000 rubles) options.

Mercedes-Benz are AMG modifications of a representative S-class, which are sold in Russia only with an elongated base. The V8-Turbo engine on the version of S 63 (7,600,000 rubles) develops 544 horsepower and 800 nm of the moment. And the six -liter atmosphere S 65 (12,000,000 rubles) gives out 630 forces and 1000 nm. Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG is equipped with a 7G-Tronic automaton, and S 65 AMG five-speed automatic transmission.

The sports version of the Audi S8 representative sedan is offered by German dealers at a price of 111,900 euros (there are no Russian prices yet). Audi has the lightest aluminum body (like XJ) and a new four -liter biturbomotor, developing 520 horsepower maximum power and 650 nm of the moment. Gearbox eight -speed automatic. Audi S8 accelerates to 100 kilometers per hour in just 4.2 seconds.

Technical characteristics Jaguar XJ SS
V8 gasoline engine type with a mechanical supercharger
Working volume, cubic meter. cm 5000
Max. Power, L.S./O/min 510/6000-6500
Max. moment, nm/rpm 625/2500-5500
The type of drive is rear
Transmission 6-speed automatic transmission
Front suspension Independent pneumatic
Rear suspension independent pneumatic
Brakes Disc ventilated in front and back
Dimensions (DHSHHV), mm 5127 (5252) x1950x1456 (1457)
Wheel base, mm 3032 (3157)
Equipped mass, kg 1755 (1915)
Max. Speed, km/hour 280
Acceleration 0-100 km/h, with 4.9
Fuel consumption (comb.), L/100 km 12.1
Emissions CO2, g/km 289
Fuel tank volume, l 82
Luggage compartment volume, l 520
Tire size 255/40 r19
Price, euros from 79 900
   
In brackets, data for a long -drawn version
 

A source: Motor magazine [June 2012]