Xjr-15
Aug 12, 2012 | 10:31 PM
#81
Teamspeed Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 527
One interesting thing I noticed today was it no longer felt intimidating. My guess is this is due to two things, we have now done enough miles together so man and machine now understand one another plus the XJR-15 has now gotten enough use over the last few years that everything is broken in and working the way it should.
I think with any new car it takes a while to understand each other. Anyone who thinks that cars don't have personalities, doesn't really understand cars. There's always got to be a little give-and-take, and when the relationship is good, you can do great things!
Oct 1, 2012 | 02:11 AM
#83
Thread Starter
| Teamspeed Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 325
Took the big Jag down to Goodwood today for the GRRC Annual Open Day. Just over 100 miles round trip. It had been about 3 weeks since the Jag left the garage but it fired right up and ran beautifully. Despite today being one of the hottest days this summer, the engine temp never moved above 95 C (driver temperature might have gone higher). Above 50 mph, the car runs and flows down the road beautifully. Under 40 mph and especially under 30, it is not really happy. Finally worked out the miles per gallon and it is around 10. Not bad for a 6 liter V12 taken out of a Le Mans car.
One interesting thing I noticed today was it no longer felt intimidating. My guess is this is due to two things, we have now done enough miles together so man and machine now understand one another plus the XJR-15 has now gotten enough use over the last few years that everything is broken in and working the way it should.
One interesting thing I noticed today was it no longer felt intimidating. My guess is this is due to two things, we have now done enough miles together so man and machine now understand one another plus the XJR-15 has now gotten enough use over the last few years that everything is broken in and working the way it should.
Nov 10, 2012 | 03:40 AM
#84
Thread Starter
| Teamspeed Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 325
After a far to long slumber today, the XJR-15 was rudely jolted out of its late fall rest.. It had been two months since the mightiest of Jags had seen the open road. Today was a very good car day as I had the pleasure of driving both the XJR-15 and F40 back to back. Just starting up the XJR-15 is an experience. First you need to crank the start engine to build up oil pressure, then you can flip on the engine management system and fuel pumps and finally start it up. The car roared into life on the first try and sounded perfect. With little to no insulation, you can hear every gear, chain, piston, crank, belt, etc in the engine. At idle it is loud and fascinating, at speed, the ear protection is a must. Once warm off we went, after 5 minutes behind the wheel, it all came back nicely. You do need to drive it very differently from the F40 or a TR. It really is a road legal Group C race car. On today's drive, two things really stood out, the rifle fast stick shift where a flick of the wrist moves you up and down the box, and what a powerful grunty engine the big V12 is. It pulls strongly from 2000 rpms but get it above 4000 rpms and it really comes into its own. Clearly a powerplant that was designed for and wants to race. While the steering does not have the F40s feeling of exactness, it is still nicely weighted and feels "right" for the car.
While driving the XJR-15 is a very different experience from the F40, it is equally rewarding. Both take time and patience to learn and understand, Getting the most out of either is something that comes over time. Huge smile when you do.
Write up on the F40 is: Running Report, my F40 - Ferrari Life
While driving the XJR-15 is a very different experience from the F40, it is equally rewarding. Both take time and patience to learn and understand, Getting the most out of either is something that comes over time. Huge smile when you do.
Write up on the F40 is: Running Report, my F40 - Ferrari Life
Dec 21, 2012 | 10:02 AM
#88
Teamspeed Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 155
After a far to long slumber today, the XJR-15 was rudely jolted out of its late fall rest.. It had been two months since the mightiest of Jags had seen the open road. Today was a very good car day as I had the pleasure of driving both the XJR-15 and F40 back to back. Just starting up the XJR-15 is an experience. First you need to crank the start engine to build up oil pressure, then you can flip on the engine management system and fuel pumps and finally start it up. The car roared into life on the first try and sounded perfect. With little to no insulation, you can hear every gear, chain, piston, crank, belt, etc in the engine. At idle it is loud and fascinating, at speed, the ear protection is a must. Once warm off we went, after 5 minutes behind the wheel, it all came back nicely. You do need to drive it very differently from the F40 or a TR. It really is a road legal Group C race car. On today's drive, two things really stood out, the rifle fast stick shift where a flick of the wrist moves you up and down the box, and what a powerful grunty engine the big V12 is. It pulls strongly from 2000 rpms but get it above 4000 rpms and it really comes into its own. Clearly a powerplant that was designed for and wants to race. While the steering does not have the F40s feeling of exactness, it is still nicely weighted and feels "right" for the car.
While driving the XJR-15 is a very different experience from the F40, it is equally rewarding. Both take time and patience to learn and understand, Getting the most out of either is something that comes over time. Huge smile when you do.
Write up on the F40 is: Running Report, my F40 - Ferrari Life
While driving the XJR-15 is a very different experience from the F40, it is equally rewarding. Both take time and patience to learn and understand, Getting the most out of either is something that comes over time. Huge smile when you do.
Write up on the F40 is: Running Report, my F40 - Ferrari Life
