Great Drive in the Jaguar XJR-15
Discussion
Yesterday I had a great drive in the XJR-15. The big break through in terms of driving was realising that it really is set up as a race car and needs to be driven like one. I.e. you need to set it up in advance for each change of direction, gear shift, braking, etc. Driving it for the 3rd or 4th time on the same roads that I know well, it just all came together. First time I can really say this, we really started to bond. In general I have a set route that I take for most of the short weekend runs out that is a roughly 20 mile loop. Yesterday at the end of the loop, I wanted to keep going. Every time in the past, making it to the end has brought with it a feeling of relief -------akin to riding the dragon and surviving. This time, it all flowed. Part of it is having just that much more experience behind the wheel and knowing the "15" that much better. Part of it is the "15" getting a few more miles under its wheels after far too many years sitting in a private collection. The handling continues to improve as the tyres bed in and the suspension gets more work. Everything feels like it is now moving that much more smoothly. The clutch is very different from any other car I have driven, but once you get used to it, it quite manageable. Power from the 6 liter V12 even 20 years later, is brain mashing. Put your foot down in 2nd gear (with all four wheels pointing straight ahead) and it just flies. A quick upshift into 3rd and you are not far from hitting triple digits. The steering rack is geared for the track, so it requires plenty of input to navigate on the road. The lack of any sort of insulation or sound deadening imparts the impression that you really are strapped to the front of a rocket. Headphones are a must and the totality of the experience is exhilarating. It is a car that is truly alive.
Triple7 said:
Fabulous, are you coming to Gaydon on Sunday for the PH SS? Be great to see & hear the '15'.
I was considering it. Weather killed the idea. 160 mile round trip in the XJR15 in the rain just was not going to be much fun.I am planning on taking it out for a run tomorrow though.
Edited by BoxerF50 on Saturday 19th March 10:26
BoxerF50 said:
I was considering it. Weather killed the idea. 160 mile round trip in the XJR15 in the rain just was not going to be much fun.
I am planning on taking it out for a run tomorrow though.
Would your run be to the Mulberry? If so I'm definitely going (with camera).I am planning on taking it out for a run tomorrow though.
Edited by BoxerF50 on Saturday 19th March 10:26
Tried the new in-car camera on today's drive:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI2MUxluEYY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI2MUxluEYY
Edited by BoxerF50 on Monday 21st March 22:14
BoxerF50 said:
Tried the new in-car camera on today's drive:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI2MUxluEYY
This was shot by one of the Ferraris following the XJR-15:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI2MUxluEYY
Edited by BoxerF50 on Monday 21st March 22:14
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4el9cyL8W8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4el9cyL8W8
This was in my area.
Was this a private run or open to other Ferraris, Lambos, etc?
If the next one is open can I bring my 550?
PM me if necessary.
This was in my area.
Was this a private run or open to other Ferraris, Lambos, etc?
If the next one is open can I bring my 550?
PM me if necessary.
Jagmanv12 said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4el9cyL8W8
This was in my area.
Was this a private run or open to other Ferraris, Lambos, etc?
If the next one is open can I bring my 550?
PM me if necessary.
It was a ScudItalia run. Please PM me for details.This was in my area.
Was this a private run or open to other Ferraris, Lambos, etc?
If the next one is open can I bring my 550?
PM me if necessary.
BoxerF50 said:
Yesterday I had a great drive in the XJR-15. The big break through in terms of driving was realising that it really is set up as a race car and needs to be driven like one. I.e. you need to set it up in advance for each change of direction, gear shift, braking, etc. Driving it for the 3rd or 4th time on the same roads that I know well, it just all came together. First time I can really say this, we really started to bond. In general I have a set route that I take for most of the short weekend runs out that is a roughly 20 mile loop. Yesterday at the end of the loop, I wanted to keep going. Every time in the past, making it to the end has brought with it a feeling of relief -------akin to riding the dragon and surviving. This time, it all flowed. Part of it is having just that much more experience behind the wheel and knowing the "15" that much better. Part of it is the "15" getting a few more miles under its wheels after far too many years sitting in a private collection. The handling continues to improve as the tyres bed in and the suspension gets more work. Everything feels like it is now moving that much more smoothly. The clutch is very different from any other car I have driven, but once you get used to it, it quite manageable. Power from the 6 liter V12 even 20 years later, is brain mashing. Put your foot down in 2nd gear (with all four wheels pointing straight ahead) and it just flies. A quick upshift into 3rd and you are not far from hitting triple digits. The steering rack is geared for the track, so it requires plenty of input to navigate on the road. The lack of any sort of insulation or sound deadening imparts the impression that you really are strapped to the front of a rocket. Headphones are a must and the totality of the experience is exhilarating. It is a car that is truly alive.
Took the XJR-15 and the K'egg out for back to back drives on Saturday. With each time out, the XJR-15 continues to get better on the road. Having now learned the gearbox, it actually is a great fast thing to use. You basically can run from 1st thru 5th just by moving your wrist. Engine is much happier now and the power really pours on when you put a bit of right foot into it. One trick I have just learned is to keep on the brakes slightly at turn in on higher speed corners. It forces the front end down and you get a bit more bite. It offsets the natural understeer. Gassing Station | Jaguar | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff