HHR SS almost spoils a Jaguar XF SV8 review

[agman25]

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evoc...ar_xf_sv8.html

It's actually a Jaguar XF SV8 road test but here is the interesting part...

But in the middle of answering my question about tyres, and why Pirelli P Zeros are particularly well-suited to the SV8, Cross falls silent. Over the past minute or so I’ve noticed his eyes darting more frequently from the sinuously twisting ribbon of tarmac ahead to check the rear-view mirror. And as I glance at my door mirror, I understand why. What appears to be a small, snub-nosed red truck, clearly American, has positioned itself a few feet from the fast-moving XF’s boot lid and seems eager to go faster. Other than it looking vaguely like a PT Cruiser (a possibility almost too shocking to contemplate), I don’t have a clue what it is and neither, it transpires, does Cross. But his response is immediate. Given the potential for embarrassment – Jaguar’s most potent XF piloted by the man who developed and honed its chassis gets dusted by local hick in farm vehicle – it was never really open to deliberation. Besides, what Cross later describes as his ‘natural competitive streak’ has kicked in and locked down. ‘Looks like someone wants to have some fun,’ he says, simultaneously flicking down a couple of gears with the left-hand paddle-shifter. I switch off the tape recorder and locate the nearest grab handle.

Actually, it’s not strictly necessary. A lingering impression from my time behind the wheel the previous day is of the XF’s astoundingly flat, stable and composed cornering style. According to photographer Andy Morgan, from the outside it never looks as if it’s trying, and the feeling of unruffled calm is carried through to the cabin, the building g-forces smoothly vectored rather than jabbed and thumped. And like the consummate wheelman he is, Cross doesn’t immediately jump to warp speed but slowly winds it up, using as much of the road as visibility will permit, exercising more of the supercharged 4.2-litre V8’s 410bhp down the short straights, braking deeper into bends, punching harder out of them.

It hasn’t worked. The pugnacious red trucklet is still chilling in the Jag’s slipstream, still spoiling for a bare-knuckle fight. Cross reaches over and stabs the DSC button, which loosens the Dynamic Stability Control’s grip on proceedings, allowing more rear slip and attitude adjustment (holding it down for 10 seconds switches it out completely), and asks the XF for all it’s got. It’s a step change, again executed with a sense of serene effortlessness and poise, but now we’re riding the edge of the limits in acceleration, braking and cornering. And I really do need that grab handle.

It’s enough. The red peril – identified a few miles further on as a just-launched 260bhp Chevrolet HHR SS ‘retro estate’ being put through its paces by an American motoring hack – gradually but inexorably drops back, despite the best efforts of its pilot and a chassis tuned and honed at the Nürburgring. Sighs of relief all round.

[KillerMRK]

I lauged so hard. That's brilliant. We can nearly keep up with a 410 Horse Supercharged Jag.

[ctaylorzl1]

Good to know that a HHR SS can nearly keep up with the new supercharged XF! I dont know why he had to call the driver a hack though, its not his fault his 25g, 260hp, 2.0 4cyl, truck and keep up with a 80g, 420hp, S/C 4.2 V8! Too bad it was the HHR SS and not the Cobalt SS!!!! Then he really would have been upset!

[agman25]

Originally Posted by ctaylorzl1

Good to know that a HHR SS can nearly keep up with the new supercharged XF! I dont know why he had to call the driver a hack though, its not his fault his 25g, 260hp, 2.0 4cyl, truck and keep up with a 80g, 420hp, S/C 4.2 V8! Too bad it was the HHR SS and not the Cobalt SS!!!! Then he really would have been upset!

Well Hack is not quite as offensive in British compared to American.

[jomo]

Originally Posted by ctaylorzl1

Good to know that a HHR SS can nearly keep up with the new supercharged XF! I dont know why he had to call the driver a hack though,

"Hack" is British slang for a journalist. It's not an insult directed at his driving, but at his profession. The author would probably proudly admit to being a "hack" himself.

[jkennedy293]

I love it!!! It sounds like the DSC on the Jag is very obtrusive. What a shame, as most Jag owners won't be daring enough to turn it off, and experience everything it can offer.

[ctaylorzl1]

^^^Thanks for the clairification.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by KillerMRK

I lauged so hard. That's brilliant. We can nearly keep up with a 410 Horse Supercharged Jag.

Which means it should keep up with the 550i.
That being said.... Jaguar's definitely got a winner on its hand here. And it's only the mid-range performance version too. XF-R should be a real terror on the roads.

And if HHR SS really gives XF a good run, it will leave CTS 3.6 DI in the dust and will be a nice match for G8 GT.

[Ambalanche]

Originally Posted by agman25

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evoc...ar_xf_sv8.html

It's actually a Jaguar XF SV8 road test but here is the interesting part...

Sighs of relief all round.
???

Sighs of relief all around? I don't get that statement!! Especially from the guy who developed the new Jag's suspension. Dude, You were about to get your **S handed to you by an HHRSS!! Even though it didn't beat you, It could hang with you!! I'd be embarrassed!!!

[vandy0419]

Originally Posted by Ambalanche

Sighs of relief all round.
???

Sighs of relief all around? I don't get that statement!! Especially from the guy who developed the new Jag's suspension. Dude, You were about to get your **S handed to you by an HHRSS!! Even though it didn't beat you, It could hang with you!! I'd be embarrassed!!!

I agree!

I'd like to see many other GM vehicles in that spot...the G8 GT and the Cobalt SS (turbo) would be great to watch race this Jag...

[zete]

Man, it would have been funny to see their expressions. It looks like that little truck from GM is going to be quite popular.

And, man, would I like to see a CTS with a turbo DI 3.6. That would be an awesome engine-car combo!

As to the Jag, I like what Jaguar's done with the XF, though I still don't like the nose treatment.

My favourite part of the article are these two quotes:

And proof, if nothing else I suppose, that suspension sorting at the Ring really must work if it can turn a cartoon Chevy wagon into a would-be XF hustler.

There are no pesky Chevy laundry vans to out-run on the way back, but the XF almost begs to be hustled and leaned on.

I just love that little turbo-4 GM's been putting into select cars. An amazing little engine.

[zete]

Originally Posted by vandy0419

I agree!

I'd like to see many other GM vehicles in that spot...the G8 GT and the Cobalt SS (turbo) would be great to watch race this Jag...

He should just be glad it wasn't a CTS-V as it'd just blow past him like he was standing still.

I do wonder what it would have been like had the car behind him been a Sky Red Line or Solstice GXP. With the weight advantage for the Sky and Solstice vs. the HHR things would've been very interesting. I can see miles of frustration from the two guys in the Jag.

Still, a video of their expressions would have been priceless.

[vandy0419]

Originally Posted by zete

He should just be glad it wasn't a CTS-V as it'd just blow past him like he was standing still.

I do wonder what it would have been like had the car behind him been a Sky Red Line or Solstice GXP. With the weight advantage for the Sky and Solstice vs. the HHR things would've been very interesting. I can see miles of frustration from the two guys in the Jag.

Still, a video of their expressions would have been priceless.

Putting it up to a CTS-V would be nice too, but seeing a car 50% or less of the price of the Jag is what I was going for...things from GM's factory for a fraction of the cost killing it in performance.

[zete]

Originally Posted by vandy0419

Putting it up to a CTS-V would be nice too, but seeing a car 50% or less of the price of the Jag is what I was going for...things from GM's factory for a fraction of the cost killing it in performance.

True enough. It's a little rocket that looks like it shouldn't be able to move like that!

As I said, I love that little DI Turbo engine. I think it would be an awesome choice for a short wheelbase Epsilon II car for Buick. A bit of Grand National if they keep the weight down. An EpII Buick with a weight of about 3200 lbs would be wonderful with that motor. And you'd get great mileage, too!

And I would still love to see a turbo version of the 3.6l to compete against the 550i. With that type of engine you'd get great performance and mileage, while the 550 only manages great performance.

[genjy]

Any sporty car could drive up and play with an unsuspecting supercharged Jaguar. Whether it could keep up with the Jag is another story.

In this case, the Jag pulled away... like it should.