Holy shit look what I saw!

"BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires" (biturbo228)
08/20/2014 at 03:55 • Filed to: Alfaholism

First one I've seen in the metal (or carbon, really). Flew past it as I was crossing the Ashdown forest, span around and went back :) had a little chat with the owner who had just bought it 3 weeks ago. He was on an 18 month waiting list, but they had a demonstrator come available so that was cut down to a week. He even took me out for a little spin :) more pics and some first impressions after the jump :)

First off it was still in the tail end of the break-in period so there were no WOT pulls, but the exhaust note is nice and characterful. I can see that it's perhaps not as pleasant as a Cayman's flat-6, but it is very old-school. Lots of whistles and wooshes and parps and bangs :) oh, and apologies for the potato-cam pics. Sods Law I didn't have my camera with me, nor time to wander around getting good angles and the like

According to the chap the steering is lovely, lots of feel and at anything above a couple of miles an hour it has a nice weight to it. It also doesn't seem nearly as wide as it is until you get inside (over the mega-wide sills). Only then, when you're tucked down low (lots of legroom btw) do you realise how far the wings are apart from each other. Nothing unmanageable, but it's not far off the Jaaag.

Speaking of the Jaaag, the chap was very complimentary about it. Said it was in very good nick, and that it was from the first period when Jag started building solid, dependable cars again (so he knows his stuff :) ). Furthermore, not a single mention of fuel economy (most people's go-to response when talking about the Jaaag), so he's clearly one of my kind :)

Cool chap :)

DISCUSSION (10)

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
08/20/2014 at 04:31

Nice. I'm jealous. One question though, do people actually bring up fuel economy when talking about your jag? That sounds nuts. Jaguars are not about fuel economy. That's like asking how a 911 does off road.

Jobjoris > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
08/20/2014 at 04:38

Awesome! Still haven't spotted it around over here. Does it appear to be as small as an Elise?

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/20/2014 at 04:43

It's mostly non-car people. The first words out of their mouth are usually something along the lines of 'I bet that's murder on fuel'.

Not particularly. I've been averaging about 24mpg (UK) with no motorway driving and the occasional WOT burst. I'd guess around 28mpg on motorway cruises.

You're right though, so not what this car is about :)

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Jobjoris
08/20/2014 at 04:51

Hmmm, I'd say it was very similar dimensions, but it doesn't seem as dainty as an Elise. I reckon it's something to do with the slightly chunkier styling. Everything on the Elise looks that little more delicate.

I suppose that's a trend with modern cars in general.

Cé hé sin > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
08/20/2014 at 04:58

The Jaaag looks better to my eyes!

Yes, everyone has the idea that Jags need their own fuel tanker following them around. I think it dates back to the original XJ which had two fuel tanks and people assumed this was two large tanks to cope with the fuelling demands.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Cé hé sin
08/20/2014 at 05:50

Me too :) although I do prefer older cars, especially with quad-lamps

It's not stunning on fuel, but it's perfectly livable. I can imaging the V12 ones might be murder, but the 4.0s are pretty decent. Big cars, but lazy torquey engines :)

505Turbeaux > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
08/20/2014 at 08:29

what are you pulling for mileage in the XJ40? In US I was getting about 24-25 in mine.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > 505Turbeaux
08/20/2014 at 08:40

At the moment, with my majority twisty country driving, occasional WOT pulls and occasional 60mph cruises for 10 mins or so, I'm getting about 24mpg (UK). That's been as high as 26-27 when I've done a reasonable amount of motorway cruises (which suggests the motorway mileage is between 28 and 30mpg).

Was yours a 4.0?

505Turbeaux > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
08/20/2014 at 08:43

yeah a 4.0, pulling 24 or so mixed. If I caught a good highway cruise it would be higher. I think most of the US bound versions were the 4.0 or the 12 (which is a different story with fuel economy)

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > 505Turbeaux
08/20/2014 at 09:05

That sounds about right. With me it'd be 25 without the hooliganism, and perhaps 26-27 if I did more motorway cruising. Factoring in the difference between a US and UK gallon and we'd be pretty much equal :)