Re: S4 and S8

[Peter Henriksen <peterhe@microsoft.com>]

The test in question here is in the October issue of CAR magazine.

The magazine ends up preferring the Jag to the S8 because the S8 is too
clinical in their opinion. The handling is just "you point, it squirts"
whereas the Jag is a little more involving. They make the same type of
comments about the interior (redesigned on the Jag - very nice looking,
IMO). I think the Jag is quicker than the S8 although they're both
limited to 155 (the Maserati Quattroporte twin-turbo V8 in the same test
is about the size of a Passat, weighs less than either of the others and
has a top speed of 168 mph! Otherwise, they find it a major
disappointment).

I'd still take the S8, but then I'm preaching to the choir here.

- peter, peterhe@microsoft.com, issaquah, wa -
http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/1001
  98 volvo v70 t5 - 5-speed
  94 acura legend gs - 6-speed...

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 30 Sep 1997 12:21:55 GMT
From: quk@isham-research.demon.co.uk (Phil Payne)
Subject: S4 and S8

In message <199709300853.PAA22261@lox2.loxinfo.co.th> "R. Wiratorn"
writes:

>                 The S8is defeated by Jag's new XJR in the test, the
new XJR
>          has a supercharged V8 instead of in-line sixin the old model,
>          so it has much more  torque and power than the S8. It beats
the S8 
>         with automatic  box while the S8 has 6-speed manual.

Define 'beat'.  In a straight line?

Jeremy Clarkson did a set of straight line speed comparisons once, on a
disused 
airfield runway.  He pontificated in his usual sneery way for twenty
minutes, 
and then pronounced one of the cars "the best - for driving on disused
runways".

Straight line speed (and, to a degree, straight line acceleration) are 
uninteresting.  By the time you have a result, you're doing an illegal
speed in 
anything but Germany and Montana.  I'd like to see an XJR follow an S8
down a 
typical English main road - the local Jaguar owners' club now meets at
the same 
pub the quattro Owners Club uses, and they _drool_ over our roadholding.

- -- 
 Phil Payne
 Committee Member, UK Audi [ur-]quattro Owners Club