[Predator]

Just wondering if anyone is going or knows someone who's to the launch in Cairns.

Apparently "Dealer principals, sales and aftersales staff, media and Asia-Pacific importers" will be there.

 

[john]

I won't be but i will be on the look out for what ever information will show up on social media and from media publications.

 

[BruceTheQuail]

Are you both from Oz too? I'm on the Gold Coast. I guess that the launch in Cairns is to schmooz the dealers but they'll get some pretty pictures out of it. Looking forward to being able to drive the 2.5T in a few weeks...

 

[Predator]

Nope. I'm from the land of ice and snow, Canada. Guess we'll just have to wait for more info from others. Hopefully the Cairns publication will port a few more pictures for us in the near future.

 

[BruceTheQuail]

I'll be driving one this week! I'll let you know my thoughts from the level of someone enthusiastic about cars, but not exceptionally good at driving them. Like casting pearls before swine...

 

[Predator]

You're so lucky to be able to take it for a test drive! Take lots of pictures and push every button you see! Can't wait for your review on it.

 

[Kingpin]

I'll be driving one this week! I'll let you know my thoughts from the level of someone enthusiastic about cars, but not exceptionally good at driving them. Like casting pearls before swine...

That probably accounts for a large portions of potential owners, so in a way your feedback could be highly valued as you relate to a lot.

 

[BruceTheQuail]

OK, I got to drive one today, a 2.0T rather than the 2.5T. Impressions were really positive. It isn't the engine I'd choose personally, though I'm sure my wife would find it excellent, it reminded me a lot of the Volvo 2.5 5 pot turbo when it was in its 177kw form rather than the current 185kw or whatever. It accelerates fine for daily use with a slight build up and surge, but having it come from the rear wheels is good.
The cabin is quite lovely. You sit low with the centre console comparatively high, and it is a nice driving position. The interior tech seemed much better than the 2012 XF, and far quicker as well. I didn't get to play with that much at all, but it seemed to me to be a big improvement.
The thing that struck me the most is how small the car felt to drive. The XF always felt like a big car, and the XK does as well. Even my wife's V40CC feels big. This felt tiny to drive, like an A class. But in a good way, like wherever you point the car that's where it will go - very tight. Essentially the same as an f type, but with your arse and spine remaining unbruised. Just awesomely good, better than any sedan I've ever driven.
And the ride was amazingly good. This one sat on 19"s, and I deliberately aimed for rough patches on the road to see how it felt - barely registered. Compared to the CC, it is light years ahead. It was as good as the XF on 19"s but handled better than the XF on 20"s.
So pretty impressive stuff. Still waiting to drive the 2.5T, but pretty convinced we will get one.

 

[Predator]

I really want to test one out right now. How did it feel on turns and did you make any fast turns in it?

 

[BruceTheQuail]

I didn't throw it around, but it was a curvy hilly road and it felt like it was on rails. You kind of sink in against the turn, so there is no rolling sensation. Seriously, I have an XKR as a daily drive and the XE drives better. It is monumentally better to drive than the f type which I thought was huge fun but the suspension is stupidly hard. I'm showing my age a little, but my days of ultra hard suspension ended after two years with a S60R. Hopefully when I get to test the 2.5T I'll be able to give it a bit of boot, the 2.0T is adequate but a little wheezy for me.