Jaguar XFR Vs. Aston Martin Rapide
PH Fleet: Our Jag went toe-to-toe with Aston's four-door - in pictures, at least
It's an interesting comparison in many ways, not least because the two cars offer quite different routes to a basically similar result. The Aston is a supercar that's been morphed into a luxury hatchback, while the Jaguar XFR is an executive saloon with aspirations to be a supercar.
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Dimensions/construction
In spite of its coupe-like lines, the Jag is more traditionally packaged with a significantly higher roofline, and a narrower, shorter body. The Aston's extra girth and length does nothing for its accommodation, however, as the Jag offers a much roomier cabin for both front and rear passengers. However, we're guessing most people would agree that the Aston's sleek profile makes it one of the few saloons to have the big cat licked for looks.
Under the skin, the Jaguar uses a variety of modern steels and cunning CAD techniques to keep the weight down. The Aston features glued and riveted aluminium extrusions, but the combination of its overall dimensions, bigger engine and all that 'bespoke' luxury make it 60kgs heavier.
| Aston Martin Rapide | Jaguar XFR | |
| Length Width Height Wheelbase Kerb Weight Drag cX |
5019mm 1929mm 1360mm 1989mm 1950kgs Good question… |
4961m 1877mm 1460mm 2909mm 1891kgs 0.290 |
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Powertrain/Performance
When 8 cylinders play 12, you might think the outcome was obvious. Not in this game, where the Jaguar's mighty supercharged V8 out-punches the Aston for both power and torque. The Aston wins on aesthetic grounds, both when you open the bonnet or when you're listening to the engine note as the V12's howl is a lot more exotic than the XFR's V8 growl. Both cars are well served by six-speed automatic gearboxes with paddleshifts and sport modes, but the Aston's rear-transaxle unit aids weight distribution.
| Aston Martin Rapide | Jaguar XFR | |
| Engine Capacity Cylinders Valves Max Power Max Torque Max Speed 0-60mph *Standing Kilometre Combined mpg |
5935cc V12 48 470bhp@6000rpm 442lb ft@5000rpm 188mph 5.1secs 23.9/139.7 secs/mph 19 |
5000cc V8 32 510bhp@6000rpm 461lb ft@2500-5000rpm 155mph (limited) 4.7secs 23.2/146.9 secs/mph 22.5 |
*Autocar road test figures (All others are manufacturer claims)
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Rolling chassis
Both our contenders get double-wishbone suspension at both ends with anti-roll bars, and a full complement of electronic driver aids. Whereas the XFR's adaptive dampers are set up to provide little real-world difference between normal and dynamic modes, the Aston offers owners a genuinely split personality. It's a luxurious and refined cruiser or hardcore sports machine with limpet-like grip and supercar-flat cornering that could add up to a significant advantage - on a racetrack. Both feature fabulous brakes and fine steering, but the Aston wins again for ultimate feel.
Across UK roads we suspect there'd be little to separate these two flying machines for pace, but wouldn't you like to see them go head-to-head at a track day with Jaguar's Mike Cross and Aston's Ulrich Bez at the wheel. Anyone want to give us odds on the result?
| Aston Martin Rapide | Jaguar XFR | |
| Front Susp Rear Susp Front Brakes Rear Brakes Wheels Front Tyres Rear Tyres |
Independent double wishbone Independent double wishbone 390mm discs 360mm discs 20ins alloy Bridgestone 245/40 R20 Bridgestone 295/35 R20 |
Independent double wishbone Independent double wishbone 380mm discs 376mm discs 20ins alloy Dunlop 255/35 R20 Dunlop 285/30 R20 |
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Verdict
You pays your money, makes your choice - the money being £62,600 for the Jaguar and £139,950 for the Aston Martin. We'd tell you which one we liked the most if we could, but for once the usually agreeable PH office was split right down the middle.
But, that's a total cop-out, so I'm controversially using my casting vote to give it to the Jaguar XFR as the better all-rounder at less than half the price. Obvious, innit..?
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I suppose it's back to the old situation - most of us would rather spend our £150k on an Jag XFR AND a 911/Vantage, but I suppose the potential market for the Rapide could probably afford both anyway.
I've been doing a lot of thinking about cars recently; in particular the Rapide, F10 M5 (not due until 2012) and XFR (despite the awful, awful headlights). It now looks as if a little complication is coming along early next year that will make the Rapide a definite non-runner and I'm going to have to do some serious investigation of the others to see whether there is any possibility of fitting three child seats - it looks rather too tight in the current M5.
I've even started to have some really quite odd thoughts, such as a 760 or B7, but there are none for sale anywhere, or, heresy of heresies, an X5 M, but that isn't available with a third row of seats. Will an X5 rear seat take three child seats?
Its quite simple it comes down to prestige, and exclusivity. The XFR has far more interior room which is the whole point of a big saloon without big rear seats it makes absolutely no sense at all...unless of course you want a car that's not as fast as DB9, not as good looking, handles worse and is likely to depreciate faster.
Nice motor though.
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