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Post by chipbutty on Sept 23, 2019 16:48:45 GMT
  So - erm, new car time again This is a P380 AWD Chequered Flag edition. Previously known as the V6 S, the P380 comes in 2 trim levels, R Dynamic or the CF edition (which is based on the R-Dynamic). The selling point for the CF edition is the fact that it comes with performance seats, full windsor leather (dash, doors, etc) and an alcantara roof lining - which is de-riquer if you are a massive tart, like what I am. It also has other bits like red seat belts, unique trim inlays, gloss black wheel inlays and the extended body colour trim outside (I don't like this which is why I got a Carpathian grey one to hide the extra body colour bits). I was worried that the GPFs that are now fitted to petrol cars (F-type from 19my) would stifle the exhaust note, but I need not have worried - it is still volcanic in the trouser seat department. Needless to say, it feels weird being so low in the car, but after 20 minutes all is well. It's brilliant (in my non biased professional opinion  ) |
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Post by johnc on Sept 23, 2019 16:56:58 GMT
So did this replace the blue RRS?
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Post by chipbutty on Sept 23, 2019 17:04:33 GMT
Yes - I ordered it in April and it was built in early September. The blue RRS is almost 12 months old, so it was time to swap.
I'll miss the RRS, it was so much more enjoyable than I was expecting, stupendously comfortable and quiet.
However - I think I'll get over it.
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Post by racingteatray on Sept 23, 2019 17:08:32 GMT
Very naaaiiice.
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Post by michael on Sept 23, 2019 18:51:37 GMT
Very nice. I’ve been keeping an eye on these recently as I noticed they can be had for reasonable money now.
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Post by Martin on Sept 23, 2019 19:13:20 GMT
Very nice indeed! Makes a good garage (or driveway) partner to the RRS.
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Post by Tim on Sept 24, 2019 8:46:59 GMT
Lovely
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Post by Roadrunner on Sept 24, 2019 9:44:31 GMT
Utterly awesome.
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Post by PetrolEd on Sept 24, 2019 9:59:04 GMT
Lovely. Im still a big fan of the F-Type and yours is rather tasty.
Im another one who has looked at the values of F-Types now and think, that's a lot of car for the money.
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Post by PG on Sept 24, 2019 12:17:06 GMT
Lovely choice. Enjoy it!
The F Type is just such a darn good looking car, but I do agree with you re the extra body bits - it does not need them. Rather like the Defender comments - you need the full-tart interior plus the clean shaped exterior.
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Post by Roadsterstu on Sept 24, 2019 16:41:21 GMT
Lurvely. I work just up the road from a Jag dealership and hearing F Types accelerate off the roundabout on road tests always delights. Most are V6s and they sound great.
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Post by chipbutty on Sept 24, 2019 20:49:27 GMT
I too have been looking at used F-Types and the best value cars are the V8s, specifically the 550ps R Coupes.
I was half heartedly looking for a V6 manual, but they are rare, weirdly spec’d (Boggo 340ps cars equipped by the prison service or odd spec curios) and pricey. I always end up coming to the conclusion that one should just get the V8.
Aside from the obvious reason (the stonktastic engine), V8s have the full leather interiors and more goodies as standard.
I’d still love a manual v6 though.....i’ll just leave this here..
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Post by Stuntman on Sept 24, 2019 20:57:23 GMT
Have fun with it. I like those seats...
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Post by Tim on Sept 25, 2019 9:01:51 GMT
I was half heartedly looking for a V6 manual, but they are rare, weirdly spec’d (Boggo 340ps cars equipped by the prison service or odd spec curios) and pricey. I always end up coming to the conclusion that one should just get the V8. Brilliant  |
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Post by chipbutty on Sept 25, 2019 18:39:37 GMT
A Clarkson-ism if I remember correctly
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Post by Roadsterstu on Sept 26, 2019 8:22:52 GMT
It does sound great in that video but the driver is a bit of throttle blipping nobber.
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Post by racingteatray on Sept 27, 2019 11:34:58 GMT
I too have been looking at used F-Types and the best value cars are the V8s, specifically the 550ps R Coupes. I was half heartedly looking for a V6 manual, but they are rare, weirdly spec’d (Boggo 340ps cars equipped by the prison service or odd spec curios) and pricey. I always end up coming to the conclusion that one should just get the V8. Aside from the obvious reason (the stonktastic engine), V8s have the full leather interiors and more goodies as standard. When I test-drove the V6S a few years ago and was a little underwhelmed, the salesman at Marshalls in Ipswich did comment "well Sir, it's for people like you that we do the V8 version"!
When I say underwhelmed, what I meant was that the V6S coupe I tried was very fast and handled well, but the engine, whilst very good, was just almost too usable and polite. The sort of suave engine like the one in my 440i (which has always put me in mind of Lesley Phillips) which is spot-on for a refined yet sporting GT or saloon, emitting just mostly cultured purring noises, but capable of loud growls and yowls when provoked. However, nevertheless just not mad or bad enough for a proper balls-to-the-wall sports coupe.
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Post by michael on Sept 27, 2019 12:13:39 GMT
Did the version you tried have the sports exhaust button?
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Post by racingteatray on Sept 27, 2019 15:28:30 GMT
Yes. I pressed it. It was loud.
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Post by Martin on Sept 27, 2019 15:53:34 GMT
Yes. I pressed it. It was loud. That’s the problem, you get quantity not quality. |
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Post by Big Blue on Sept 29, 2019 8:17:06 GMT
Nice.
These do make a very nice noise.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2019 22:32:50 GMT
.
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Post by chipbutty on Oct 19, 2019 18:03:36 GMT
So, 4 weeks and some miles under the belt....
Whilst this is a fast car, fast car performance has been well and truly democratised. I believe the raw stats (according to an enterprising soul who took averages from every European road test) are 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and 160 km/h in 11.3 seconds for the rwd V6 S. So, very quick, but ball park for a 4wd hot hatch these days (or an Audi SQ2).
However, as a well known porridge thief once remarked, “ it’s just right “ and it strikes a nice balance between a push in the back and being able to run through some gears without obliterating the laws of the land. The noises it makes are tremendous and it’s just as much fun on part throttle as the exhaust note is classic 60s 6 cylinder sports car, it’s not objectionable or unnecessary, but extremely tuneful and satisfying. When you wind it out, the e-type impressions turn into a yowly shriek, overlaid by faint supercharger whine and the pops have a softer edge to them that sound natural (rather than the gunshots of some other vehicles).
The ride is firm, bordering choppy and it’s surprisingly bouncy on lumpy B roads, whilst this is all part of the experience, i don’t think it needs to be as firm as it is and it just shows how good an XF S is. It steers beautifully though and it makes fast, fun and very secure progress. I love the fact it’s 4wd and I don’t miss any of the arse slidey antics at all.
It’s a touch louder than I expected (too much road roar on poor surfaces) and i’ve had to learn and perfect the “arse first “ entry method in order to save my back.
Finally, whilst the gearbox is extremely well calibrated, it needs to be driven in manual mode for the most fun (I prefer to use the torque in a higher gear to savour more of that mid range exhaust note), but paddles are just not very satisfying. I still don’t understand why manuals across the board have such a low take up in these types of cars because they are all about the drive and a manual gearbox is just more enjoyable on every level.
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Post by Big Blue on Oct 20, 2019 10:20:35 GMT
Nice write up. These do sound nice when burbling around town.
Love the reference to arse-in first car entry. I’ve had to do this for years: no part in the remake of Dukes of Hazzard for me.
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Post by PG on Oct 21, 2019 13:18:48 GMT
Sounds like you're enjoying it then.
I don't have trouble getting into low cars. For me the trouble is now getting out - I feel like I need to fall upwards.
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Post by johnc on Oct 21, 2019 13:43:49 GMT
I heard an F type in full bore mode the other day and I thought it sounded very like the racing E Types from the Goodwood Revival. I also regularly see a white one on my way to work and the guy always has a smile and likes to make himself heard.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2019 14:01:25 GMT
There is a gunmetal grey 991 gt type round here and he gives it the beans occasionally. Nice to hear.
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Post by Tim on Oct 21, 2019 14:20:34 GMT
Whilst this is a fast car, fast car performance has been well and truly democratised. I believe the raw stats (according to an enterprising soul who took averages from every European road test) are 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and 160 km/h in 11.3 seconds for the rwd V6 S. So, very quick, but ball park for a 4wd hot hatch these days (or an Audi SQ2). The superhatches are comfortably quicker but, as with the comments in the Merc C63 4 pot thread, what's the point. The Jag will give some 'theatre' while still being pretty quick whereas the 4 pot hatches will be superfast but dull which is presumably why they all have forced pops and bangs. I'd take the Jag any day. |
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Post by Martin on Oct 21, 2019 14:30:22 GMT
Even my big old comfy saloon is quicker, but I agree, it's plenty quick enough for the road and gives you a chance of using all the performance more often.
A fair and balanced review. The V6S does sound good, a lot better than the shouty V8 (which is a shame) but the ride and refinement don't sound very Jaguar, I'd expect them to keep away from the firm=sporty way of setting up a car.
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Post by chipbutty on Dec 17, 2019 10:53:00 GMT
I've done 2,500 miles now with a nice spread of long distance miles and early morning drives for the sake of driving.
Points of note:
I now drive the car exclusively in dynamic mode - aside from helpfully enabling the sports exhaust so I don't have to also push the sunglasses button, I find the car to be slightly more comfortable and generally more pleasant to drive. It's definitely tauter, but better damped (if that makes any sense).
It may well be 4wd, but it still likes to twerk in the damp/wet (particularly in dynamic mode). A bootful out of a turning sends the arse right out, but the front wheels help out before the DSC does - I am assuming this has been engineered in.
Experimentation with the gearbox settings has proven fruitful - if you knock the level to the left, it does so much more than a basic sport mode. If you leave it in automatic (don't touch the paddles), it completely changes the way the car drives by assuming you are " on it ". The downshifts are perfectly timed and preceded by a flurry of revs as it executes precise rev matching - I haven't been able to catch it out and it always in the right gear at the right time (if you bring the paddles in (or sometimes I use the lever), you get full manual control, again with the awesome rev matched downshifts). It becomes second nature just to flick between the modes as and when required. I still think I want a manual - but I can see why most people don't care.
Economy was proving to be poor (couldn't get better than 24 and frequently hovering around 21), but a work trip to Antwerp saw 31mpg recorded on the leg between Calais and Antwerp. It will do reasonable mpg at decent motorway speeds - it just needs to get properly warmed up (and run in to be fair).
It's singing voice has gotten better as well now that it's had plenty heat cycles through the exhaust - running in dynamic mode seems to make a difference too and it has fantastic selection of woofly snorts and gentle pops. Although - the flare of revs when you start it can be a PITA when you leave the house at 6am, instantly shifting into D or R will drop the idle speed, but the damage is done when it first barks into life. I understand the facelifted car has quiet start mode for unannounced dawn departures (which would be very useful).
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