HHR SS almost spoils a Jaguar XF SV8 review

[mgescuro]

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.

Perhaps. THen again... XF-R should be compared to CTS-V.

[paul8488]

Awww poor Jag. I almost feel sorry for them. It's cute that they're still building cars... I give them props for slugging away with no hope whatsoever. In a proper Jag you wouldn't even see any Chevrolet short of a Corvette or maybe Camaro... this one has a 5-door hatchback scuffing its rear bumper!

[jkennedy293]

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...

I don't think the G8 would handle the Ring as well as the Jaguar, it only has the FE2 setup compared to the HHR and Cobalt's FE3. But, for half the price you could use the rest of the money you saved to get at least a g out of the G8's suspension.

[zete]

Originally Posted by 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.

It pulled away but it didn't seem to be easy. That's what was troubling for the Jag's driver.

[vandy0419]

Originally Posted by jkennedy293

I don't think the G8 would handle the Ring as well as the Jaguar, it only has the FE2 setup compared to the HHR and Cobalt's FE3. But, for half the price you could use the rest of the money you saved to get at least a g out of the G8's suspension.

Very true...I wonder what suspension will come with the GXP...hopefully something better.

[zete]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Perhaps. THen again... XF-R should be compared to CTS-V.

Truly.

I do wish GM had an engine option between the DI 3.6 and the V. A turbo 3.6 or the last gen V's Corvette V8 would be fine with me .

I do worry about Jag's future, though. I wonder what the new owners will make of it.

[vandy0419]

Originally Posted by zete

Truly.

I do wish GM had an engine option between the DI 3.6 and the V. A turbo 3.6 or the last gen V's Corvette V8 would be fine with me .

I do worry about Jag's future, though. I wonder what the new owners will make of it.

Not enough demand for an LS1 priced CTS with the CTS-V and DI 3.6 CTS...the profit margin just isn't there to create so few that will sell...

[paul8488]

Originally Posted by 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.

There shouldn't even be a story here... maybe Jag should refocus and see if they can't be Tata to market with a $1500 car... they should be able to pull that off, right?

[zete]

Originally Posted by vandy0419

Not enough demand for an LS1 priced CTS with the CTS-V and DI 3.6 CTS...the profit margin just isn't there to create so few that will sell...

Most probably true. I'd opt for the V myself. The price difference isn't that great once you load up a DI CTS. Though I would prefer a V with AWD!

[stevecmh]

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!

yeah that is actually really cool.. a car for a third of the price almost beats it

[Tiger]

Great piece of writing. Felt like you were right there with them!

My favorite part: "clearly American."


Having test driven a Chevrolet HHR SS, I can tell you that is one torque filled trucklet! Much more narrow vs. a new Jaq XF too.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by zete

Truly.

I do wish GM had an engine option between the DI 3.6 and the V. A turbo 3.6 or the last gen V's Corvette V8 would be fine with me .

I do worry about Jag's future, though. I wonder what the new owners will make of it.

I agree. I would much rather see a high-output turbo 3.6 DI in the CTS -- at say 400+HP.

I continue to cling to hope for Jaguar. A car brand with that much brand equity shouldn't be allowed to die without a fight. Whoever ends up owning it should give Jaguar all the opportunities to succeed. With high class engineering and design, a reputation for luxury, world class performance, there is no reason why Jaguar can't be a leader in the market. There really isn't.

[paul8488]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

I continue to cling to hope for Jaguar.

Has everyone who had anything to do with this thing been fired yet? If not, there's no hope.

[agman25]

I think this illustrates how underrated the HHR is rather than any flaws with the Jaguar. The Jaguar is a fine car and I would prefer it above the 5 series, E class, Audi a6 or the STS.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by 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.

Yup. What it proves is that the HHR SS has a lot of power and performance for a little truck, that it can readily run with a mid-range performance Jaguar. What it also shows is that the Jaguar also has a lot more headroom in performance.

XF is entering the premium sports sedan market, going up against the best in the world. Jaguar knows what's at stake. If you can't play with BMW at this level, then you might as well not play.

So the articles shows:
1) HHR SS can run with Euro performance sport sedans and not be embarrassed.
2) Jaguar's entering the premium sport sedan market with a car that is capable of standing on its own against the world's best.

Good for GM for designing a small sports truck that will run with the big boys.
But GM had best watch out for Jaguar, as CTS may get mauled by that British kitty.