Tiff Needell tested the M5 against the new Jaquar S Type R on UK TV programme 5th Gear. Only negative with the CB M5 was the interior which was Imola red with wood!!!! He drove them both around the Goodwood circuit and here are his findings:
This week Tiff has to choose between two 400bhp super saloons. Poor him. They are of course the new Jaguar S-type R and BMW’s well established but still awesome M5. They develop the same power output but go about it in different ways with the Jag using a supercharger to wring power from its 4.2-litre V8 which is connected to a six-speed automatic gearbox whilst the Beemer prefers a highly tuned naturally aspirated 5-litre V8 turning a six-speed manual ‘box. Most important question is whether the new Brit bruiser can decisively humble the esteemed hero from Germany.
After driving on the road Tiff was impressed with the Jag’s composure, especially its ride quality, but not so happy with the whine of its supercharger. Apparently some people like this noise but our man wasn’t wholly won over by the S-type just yet. Time to give these cars a proper work out on the quick and flowing Goodwood circuit.
Out on the track the Jag suffers from too much understeer and bodyroll to please Tiff. But his biggest gripe is with the way the R leaks power away from its inside rear wheel under hard cornering, thanks to the lack of a limited slip differential. Its lap time of 1m 36s is very impressive, but the M5's more instant throttle response, tauter body control - and the standard limited slip diff which keeps both wheels driving - gives it a time of 1m 32s.
Yes, the new Jag is an impressive bit of kit but it might be even more impressive, and be able to beat the BMW, if it had that all important limited slip diff. Trouble is that Jaguar, like many manufacturers, prefers not to fit an expensive mechanical LSD when it can get away with cheaper electronic traction control. But if you’re really pushing on TC cutting in too early (because there's no LSD), thus sapping power when you really may need it – when you’re pulling out of a junction, for example, and you need to make a positive drive-off before an oncoming lorry hits you, yet instead you boot the throttle and the car is left stuttering as the digital brain cuts in. Turn the TC off, boot the throttle in the same situation, and the inside rear wheel will spin up, and smoke all the power away. On the track, this translates to a slower lap time than the BMW. The M5 has an LSD, so instead of one wheel leaking power and the other free-wheeling, both drive you forward.
So, the M5 keeps its crown, and also remains one of Tiff’s favourites, not least because it’s one of the few modern cars that has been give the underrated ally of all keen drivers – a limited slip differential.
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2006 750i Sport, Monaco Blue, Cream Beige Pearl leather
I always knew Tiff had a good head on his shoulders . Pretty impressive that the M5 is still winning these comparisons against cars engineered 3 years later then it. Will be interesting to see how the new E55 will do against the aging Beast.
i read that the jag has only 385bhp not 400 as they clam, i
read this in a automotive magizine at a body shop, something
about the u.s. rate's horsepower different .it did explain the
difference something like s.a.e. horsepower to the u.k. standard
thought you might be interested.
Ah the LSD;
This was basically the same conclusion that C&D had. The car shifts too early, doesn't feel like 400 hp, and can't make use of what it's got. They also said it was too soft in the curves.
The 540i without the LSD has the same problem especially when raining or on snow. You either loose all power on the inside wheel with TC on or spin it madly with it off. But, interestingly, a 540i 6 speed without LSD has about the same 0-60 & 1/4 mile times as the Jag and it has 100 less HP!
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I agree that the supercharger didn't sound quite right. I can't believe that Jaguar would've designed a car to sound like a washing machine on a fast spin cycle.
. Pretty impressive that the M5 is still winning these comparisons against cars engineered 3 years later then it. Will be interesting to see how the new E55 will do against the aging Beast.
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