Car looks good - more Jag-like than the XFR. But why are they displaying them in white? It just doesn't make these cars pop. They look like they've been spit out of a 3D printer to me.
@korvetkeith: agreed...all of the gawker sites always put the press release in their posts...it is very annoying and quite frankly lazy journalism...people read magazines blogs etc so they DONT have to read press releases
@shakes: I thought the part about the new engine was kind of interesting. I scrolled past all the bs about the sound system. The only part that I disliked was that somewhere in that mess they used the word "bespoke." That word annoys me.
What made all that reading most worthwhile was the bit about the porno-shift transmission:
...The selector is, in fact, much more than just an unobtrusive yet completely practical solution to selecting an automatic gear mode. For it also imbues the car with a strong driver 'handshake'. Get into an XK and the start button in front of the JaguarDrive Selectorâ„¢ pulses red, like a heartbeat. Press this button to start the engine and the cast alloy JaguarDrive Selectorâ„¢ rises into the palm of your hand...
Much more indeed. I mean, I prefer stick shifts too, but come on. Compare Thomas Pynchon:
...Profane wandered up by Rachel's cabin again. He heard splashing and gurgling from the courtyard in back and walked around to investigate. There she was washing her car. In the middle of the night yet. Moreover, she was talking to it.
"You beautiful stud," he heard her say, "I love to touch you." Wha, he thought. "Do you know what I feel when we're out on the road? Alone, just us?" She was running the sponge caressingly over its front bumper. "Your funny responses, darling, that I know so well. The way your brakes pull a little to the left, the way you start to shudder around 5000 rpm when you're excited. And you burn oil when you're mad at me, don't you? I know." There was none of your madness in her voice; it might have been a schoolgirl's game, though still, he admitted, quaint. "We'll always be together," running a chamois over the hood, "and you needn't worry about that black Buick we passed on the road today. Ugh: fat, greasy Mafia car. I expected to see a body come flying out the back door, didn't you? Besides, you're so angular and proper-English and tweedy - and oh so Ivy that I couldn't ever leave you, dear." It occurred to Profane that he might vomit. Public displays of sentiment often affected him this way. She had climbed in the car and now lay back in the driver's seat, her throat open to the summer constellations. He was about to approach her when he saw her left hand snake out all pale to fondle the gearshift. He watched and noticed how she was touching it...
From what I understand, Tata is asking for money from the British Government to help run their recent purchase of both Jaguar and Land Rover. I wonder how long Jaguar/Land Rover will be in business.
Anyone want to give me the "Cliff's Notes" version?
Since Jag is now owned by Tata are they finally going to give the XKR a stick and LSD? Back when Ford owned Jag and Aston doing so would have eaten into Vantage sales, now Aston's independent and Tata owns Jag I see no internal conflict.
@mentir: Yeah, I spent most of the day reading textbooks for class, so when I saw the mass of text my brain decided to go on strike... I've got a scab taking his place but the son-of-a-bitch doesn't speak English very well... damn Brit...
I almost bought a used XKR about a year and a half ago. Turned out it had been ratbagged, a fact I had to point out to the dealership after I test-drove it, but even so... what a blast. There's something about those Jag V8s that just sounds... right. They're smooth, silky, composed... and when you stomp on it, it sounds like the very hounds of hell themselves are nipping at your heels, and then you rocket forward with very uncivilized enthusiasm. Wonderful.
@Lawbot: I agree with you on the new, facelifted version. This one was... I think an '04? '05? The just-pre-crosseyed version.
And ratbagging is another term for Hooning, but without any sort of respect for the car. Ratbagging is hooning by people who don't love cars, and don't care if they wreck them in so doing.
01/11/09
99% press release; 1% new content.
100% Detroit cheerleading.
The world is moving to TTAC.
Bring back Spinelli.
Losers.
01/11/09
01/11/09
don't get me wrong, I'm all about the performance--but seriously, it looks like the headlights will lead it three different directions.
01/11/09
01/11/09
And two more things--
White? Just no.
Press release? TL/DR.
01/11/09
Car looks good - more Jag-like than the XFR. But why are they displaying them in white? It just doesn't make these cars pop. They look like they've been spit out of a 3D printer to me.
01/11/09
01/11/09
01/12/09
What made all that reading most worthwhile was the bit about the porno-shift transmission:
...The selector is, in fact, much more than just an unobtrusive yet completely practical solution to selecting an automatic gear mode. For it also imbues the car with a strong driver 'handshake'. Get into an XK and the start button in front of the JaguarDrive Selectorâ„¢ pulses red, like a heartbeat. Press this button to start the engine and the cast alloy JaguarDrive Selectorâ„¢ rises into the palm of your hand...
Much more indeed. I mean, I prefer stick shifts too, but come on. Compare Thomas Pynchon:
...Profane wandered up by Rachel's cabin again. He heard splashing and gurgling from the courtyard in back and walked around to investigate. There she was washing her car. In the middle of the night yet. Moreover, she was talking to it.
"You beautiful stud," he heard her say, "I love to touch you." Wha, he thought. "Do you know what I feel when we're out on the road? Alone, just us?" She was running the sponge caressingly over its front bumper. "Your funny responses, darling, that I know so well. The way your brakes pull a little to the left, the way you start to shudder around 5000 rpm when you're excited. And you burn oil when you're mad at me, don't you? I know." There was none of your madness in her voice; it might have been a schoolgirl's game, though still, he admitted, quaint. "We'll always be together," running a chamois over the hood, "and you needn't worry about that black Buick we passed on the road today. Ugh: fat, greasy Mafia car. I expected to see a body come flying out the back door, didn't you? Besides, you're so angular and proper-English and tweedy - and oh so Ivy that I couldn't ever leave you, dear." It occurred to Profane that he might vomit. Public displays of sentiment often affected him this way. She had climbed in the car and now lay back in the driver's seat, her throat open to the summer constellations. He was about to approach her when he saw her left hand snake out all pale to fondle the gearshift. He watched and noticed how she was touching it...
01/12/09
Quoting Pynchon to a Jalopnik post from a car show. Now I know why I got up early.
01/11/09
01/10/09
Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty, Kitty! Here, Kitty!
DAMMIT. How can I get one of these?!
01/10/09
01/10/09
01/10/09
01/10/09
Since Jag is now owned by Tata are they finally going to give the XKR a stick and LSD? Back when Ford owned Jag and Aston doing so would have eaten into Vantage sales, now Aston's independent and Tata owns Jag I see no internal conflict.
01/10/09
01/10/09
01/10/09
01/10/09
01/07/09
01/08/09
What, pray tell, is "ratbagging"?
Also, the proportions of this car are just right, in person...but it still looks cross-eyed to me.
01/08/09
And ratbagging is another term for Hooning, but without any sort of respect for the car. Ratbagging is hooning by people who don't love cars, and don't care if they wreck them in so doing.