Discussion
Reading the article on Pistonheads front page (http://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-features-heroes/jaguar-xj220-ph-heroes/32757) I can't help but wonder how different an M12 (m400, or sorted GTO) would be vs. an XJ220, after all both have similar HP/Tonne and are twin turbo'ed with similar power and torque peaks
Has anyone driven an XJ220 to comment? I'd be interested to see how different the boost is between the two
Has anyone driven an XJ220 to comment? I'd be interested to see how different the boost is between the two
This was a little run out on Saturday...
These two Brits are both mid engined V6 twin turbos, but that is where the simarities end. The big cat goes round corners like it is on rails when you are at speed, but you need guns of steel to manoeuvre it around the country lanes. It feels big, and every input had to be done very precisely, with no rushing of gears or throttle input. Whereas the Noble you can chuck around like a go kart, stamp on the throttle, or brakes and play with it as it responds to every movement you give it. It takes the bumps like a comfy car, yet handles like a racing car. The 220 is totally rose jointed and you feel every stone, cat's eye or undulation in the road. It has no powersteering or brake servo assistance. I remember as a child my Dad throwing it around on our 40 minute journey to school and it felt like the fastest thing on earth (which at the time it was)
The Noble on the other hand is light, and nimble. The brakes are perfect and the steering inputs are minor. On the same roads, which we did this weekend, the Jag just cannot live with Noble's agility. And yes, the boost is like everyone always said it was. Plant the throttle and.... Wait... Wait... BOOM!! You are doing warp speed, until you see the next corner which you have to brake for way before you would in any modern sports car.
I love the XJ220, and it feels like a real adventure to drive. Everybody looks at it in awe, as you never see them on the road. But if I wanted to go for a proper blast and get there faster than a bike could, I would take a Noble.
Matt
These two Brits are both mid engined V6 twin turbos, but that is where the simarities end. The big cat goes round corners like it is on rails when you are at speed, but you need guns of steel to manoeuvre it around the country lanes. It feels big, and every input had to be done very precisely, with no rushing of gears or throttle input. Whereas the Noble you can chuck around like a go kart, stamp on the throttle, or brakes and play with it as it responds to every movement you give it. It takes the bumps like a comfy car, yet handles like a racing car. The 220 is totally rose jointed and you feel every stone, cat's eye or undulation in the road. It has no powersteering or brake servo assistance. I remember as a child my Dad throwing it around on our 40 minute journey to school and it felt like the fastest thing on earth (which at the time it was)
The Noble on the other hand is light, and nimble. The brakes are perfect and the steering inputs are minor. On the same roads, which we did this weekend, the Jag just cannot live with Noble's agility. And yes, the boost is like everyone always said it was. Plant the throttle and.... Wait... Wait... BOOM!! You are doing warp speed, until you see the next corner which you have to brake for way before you would in any modern sports car.
I love the XJ220, and it feels like a real adventure to drive. Everybody looks at it in awe, as you never see them on the road. But if I wanted to go for a proper blast and get there faster than a bike could, I would take a Noble.
Matt
Very enjoyable reading Jetstream. Best colour Noble too. And I do agree with your description.
I would find it hard to think of a better bumpy b-road car than a well sorted Impreza P1 (that I have had with the Alcon brake upgrade) as it is nicely sprung for bumps and simply doesn't get thrown by whatever the road throws at it.
The Noble is about the most similar, faster, car that I have driven and feels similar on a fun b-road to a P1.
My breadth of knowledge is far more limited than "playboy Walton" and many others but if you're on it, surely not much could stay with a Noble down a UK b-road.
- apart from my old Impreza of course!
I would find it hard to think of a better bumpy b-road car than a well sorted Impreza P1 (that I have had with the Alcon brake upgrade) as it is nicely sprung for bumps and simply doesn't get thrown by whatever the road throws at it.
The Noble is about the most similar, faster, car that I have driven and feels similar on a fun b-road to a P1.
My breadth of knowledge is far more limited than "playboy Walton" and many others but if you're on it, surely not much could stay with a Noble down a UK b-road.
- apart from my old Impreza of course!
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