Color me unimpressed. Any ordinary driver could do exactly the same thing in any rear-wheel drive car. It wouldn't look as good or sound as good, but the drift would be the same.
I'm thinking that Jaguar gave these guys a little something extra to hoon it up just so they could get some PR from their unusual treatment of the test cars.
It seemed like that guy kinda sucked at driving on dirt. I mean I know the Jag is not set up for it, but on a smooth, banked oval track you would think he would be able to hold the slide for the entire length of the curve once to get the shot (y'know, instead of cutting each shot down to 2 secs). The guys who drive there every weekend do it every lap for like 100 laps. Maybe the computer was cutting in or something. *sigh* I guess this just continues to support the theory that Car and Driver is quite irrelevant these days.
@Bad Juju: I may need to be shot, but I honestly kind-of liked the 300M Special. (the one with HID projectors, dual exhaust and sexy multi-spoke alloys... still has the same shit powerplant though.)
Personally I am glad they are doing this, because when I buy a new Jaguar XFR I want to now how it handles on the local dirt track. Nothing irritates me more than taking my new Jag out on the local circuit that night, and getting beat by some yahoo it a dilapidated 77 Malibu that is properly set up for dirt track racing.
@Flathead Smith: Exactly, I need to know if I can beat that guy with the ratty 1991 Ford Thunderbird with a 351 before I wager this week's stock dividends at the dirt track on my way to the Hamptons.
@aSoundofSleep: This is a good time to mention that one of my desktop's fans is either off balance or knocking against something, and it sounds like the computer has a rod knock.
That said, any of our ship of fools hooning a new XFR (not to be confused with the slower, less luxurious XFi) would be a riot to see, or even read about.
There's one sitting in the middle of West Edmonton Mall, and every time I see it, I am struck by what a beautiful car it is in person. I took one for a test-drive a few months back, and was thoroughly impressed. It drives very nicely, and the only flaw I could find was that the exhaust note was a bit harsh under heavy acceleration.
I've heard people say that the car looks generic in traffic. Maybe it's just me, but every time I've seen one, it's really stood out to me, particularly from the rear three-quarters perspective.
This new version just improves on an already beautiful car.
@Accordforall: The Mondeo was an excellent "large family" (read: midsize) car. It was not, however, an excellent luxury car, as Jaguar found out after Ford forced that thing onto 'em.
I forgot we got the wagon. Really cool, aside from pretending to be a Jaguar. Put Mercury badges and a new nose on it, and it wouldn't've been bad.
@piththeelder: Motherfuck. You're right, I gave 'em too much credit - it's a heavily revised Lincoln LS, folks. Thanks for the correction.
I see a lot of XFs on the road. When you start comparing prices to Infiniti Ms, Acura RLs, and up-level Lexi, then this Jaguar starts to look pretty attractive. If not very Jaguarish.
And now, without Aston holding them back, they're willing to throw down severe power numbers.
I bet my Accord could scoop in front of it on 95 at about 105, while the driver is resting his left arm on the door, his head on the seat back, his left blinker on.. and his STOGEY GOING...
All the while 5 miles of traffic have to figure out how to get around this.. fast POS.
@Accordforall: No doubt, then, you'll be cutting him off without using your signal in order to get to your exit at the last minute? Or will you be passing him on the right?
05/30/09
I'm thinking that Jaguar gave these guys a little something extra to hoon it up just so they could get some PR from their unusual treatment of the test cars.
05/29/09
/its friday and I am cranky
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It actually almost sounds like all the electrical do-dads are trying to retard the timing, resulting in a buffeting sound from the engine.
Maybe it's just my girlfriend's shitty laptop speakers.
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jalopnik highers me every day.
seriously, i cannot believe the sheer audacity of asking to be PAID to be an auto tester at jalop...
many of us (with clearer english, too) would do it free.
this is my first time posting drunk.
05/30/09
05/30/09
05/29/09
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05/29/09
That said, any of our ship of fools hooning a new XFR (not to be confused with the slower, less luxurious XFi) would be a riot to see, or even read about.
05/29/09
05/29/09
05/29/09
01/09/09
I've heard people say that the car looks generic in traffic. Maybe it's just me, but every time I've seen one, it's really stood out to me, particularly from the rear three-quarters perspective.
This new version just improves on an already beautiful car.
01/09/09
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01/09/09
They made a wagon for the US and the UK too...
Based off of the Mondeo.. talk about F A I L.
That gutless spinless POS brought Jag to where they are now -- owned by the Indians.
01/09/09
I forgot we got the wagon. Really cool, aside from pretending to be a Jaguar. Put Mercury badges and a new nose on it, and it wouldn't've been bad.
@piththeelder: Motherfuck. You're right, I gave 'em too much credit - it's a heavily revised Lincoln LS, folks. Thanks for the correction.
01/09/09
01/09/09
And now, without Aston holding them back, they're willing to throw down severe power numbers.
01/09/09
01/09/09
No but the driver is...
I bet my Accord could scoop in front of it on 95 at about 105, while the driver is resting his left arm on the door, his head on the seat back, his left blinker on.. and his STOGEY GOING...
All the while 5 miles of traffic have to figure out how to get around this.. fast POS.
01/10/09
Turnabout is fair play.
01/09/09