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A sunny Saturday morning in the Eifel. Picturesque side streets and annoying kilometers of traffic jams around the arrival traffic for the AvD-Oldtimer Grand Prix. For the first contact between motor bloggers, lifestyle bloggers and other “publishing house-independent media makers”, Jaguar Germany had probably chosen the best environment that a petrol junkie could imagine: the AvD Oldtimer-Grand Prix 2012.
In short: Jaguar's cat offer
Jeremy Clarkson cursed it, I thought it was a terrific home base for a base within sight of the legendary Nordschleife. The Jaguar test center at the Nürburgring. For JC from TopGear, the new Jaguar models are too sporty. I can admit: The assessments of Mr. Clarkson could not influence my previous Jaguar world view. Too big the tragedy of the past years, when this legendary English sports car brand went through too many owner hands. Among them, the FORD group of such acts, among other things, committed as a Ford Mondeo under a bombastic Jaguar-lined cover to pack. Shame on you, Ford!
The fear was great, not just for me, when Jaguar and Land Rover were sold to the Indian Tata Motors Group in 2008. The XF was freshly presented at the time - the first post-war model that did not want to maintain a “retro look”. A jaguar as unusually fresh and invigorating as a British rain in late summer. The late summer of the brand and the autumn years were not ushered in, despite Tata's commitment. On the contrary. Today, after 4 years in the possession of the Indian Tata Motors Group, it is relieved to speak of a successful attempt at resuscitation on an English patient. In my personal retrospective of the models under the sign of the big cat, there was no epoch in which so many models from Jaguar would have turned me on, just by design.
One of my special favorites: The Jaguar XF.
So fresh. So sporty and elegant - this jaguar was even allowed to accompany my wife and me at the wedding. In a prominent role. As luck would have it, the Jaguar XF also played a prominent role at my brother's wedding this year.
That has good reasons. For at no time in Jaguar history were the models so progressive in design and addressed the elegant as well as the sporty sides of the exclusive motorist heart. The XF may well be seen as a watershed in Jaguar history.
On the day of the test, I allowed myself a little lap in the XF with the 2.2 liter four-cylinder diesel. In principle only to get the photos in the box. Because day trips are rather unsuitable for experiencing the qualities of a vehicle. And if you drive 4 to 5 models in a day and only have 1 to 2 hours to do so, then the impressions of the vehicle are far too undifferentiated. What comes around in the end are driving reports on the level of student essays and for that, as a motor blogger, I am really too bad. Und (And probably my colleagues are alike.)
The great anticipation, my pulse in four cycles shortly before the rev limiter, gave me the prospect of the Jaguar XK-RS with the tin roof. I had traveled with a Porsche Carrera S, the yardstick for sporty GT models - the borderline experience between long-distance athletes and sprint athletes was brought along and grumbled away.
Previously, the Jaguar XJ was waiting for his business trip
The luxury sedan was ready with the top diesel. I do not want to allow myself to judge this full-range leather supplier at this point. Too short the exit. In any case, the level of workmanship in the interior is impressive. Can you convince with quality at Jaguar in the long term? The XJ L with a long wheelbase, which served as a shuttle, was definitely already badly worn around the tables hidden in the backrests of the front seats. But as I said, it is a snapshot of the moment. Daily appointments with the full range of models and supporting program are not suitable for much more.
(Sidestep: With the blogger road trip - the limits are set in the experience!)
Jaguar XK-R - Bosses Kitty
5 liter V8 - supercharger - equipment version of the driven convertible variant: “Volle Hütte”, including a further leather interior, the production of which is likely to have led to a greater decimation in the area of hoofed animals. The animal factor of the symbol of man and hunter would thus already be adequately taken into account in the state. But the real men's toy only wakes up when you press the unworthy start-stop button. What starts after that deserves more pathos, more show, more drama. An order similar to the start procedure for manned space flight would be appropriate. Fuel pumps: On. Monitor fuel pressure. Spark plugs ready. Battery voltage checked. Air filter and intake ducts controlled and free. Sharpened compressor blades, catalyst ready for the inferno, It was nice to have made your acquaintance 3- 2 -1 - IGNITION - “and we have a lift off”.
The V8 compressor is not easy to start. An Armageddon is kindled in the combustion chambers and puts the exhaust side under extreme sound pressure. Full load, short gas pedal snapper and an exhaust system to operating temperature answers the big kitty during the excursion with the English version of a flame spitting kite. Metarmophose succeeded. "The buck has a lot of steam on the chain".
Jaguar XK-RS - Kitty on drugs
Here could be the impressions of the XK-RS. Unfortunately, Jaguar was unable to get a XK-RS ready for the ride. Too bad. On an 30min excursion with a custodian in the passenger seat I could do without. Motor bloggers were also not “allowed” to lead the kitties onto the Nordschleife. Too bad. But luckily I had the 911 Carrera S with me ... there is bound to be something from Teymur and Sebastian - they bathed in endorphins after the ride in the 911 through the green hell.
All's well that ends well
Jaguar was bolder than other German premium manufacturers. Dare to lose control. Invite the unknown mixed race of “bloggers” - the whole thing filled up with an evening program like this for me could not have been better. A first step the "standing ovation" deserves.
I am excited which way it will continue. Jaguar's vehicle program offers enough potential for more posts, full of fuel smell, emotions and stories!
Other posts from colleagues:
- petrol in the blood
- Car Geil
- Passion: Driving
Photos: Some of the photos come from Jan Gleitsmann (auto-geil.de). Please note the caption! The pictures without a source are mine.
