Video: TopGear is back! Jaguar XKR vs Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Interesting. Although, I don't think they really picked up the Jag's sound with their equipment. For that I suggest going to:

http://www.jaguarusa.com/us/en/latest/films/films.htm

and watching on Design my Desire.

and make sure to turn the volume up.

The XKR sounds beautiful. The front end i'm still haven't grown to like but everything else looks good. The difference the XKR and the Vantage have I would go for the Aston hands down. The car looks better on the front end and it has more grunt.

an M6 or R8 costs more than one and less than the other and would outperform both, let's see them compare those to the Jag and the Aston (I'd still take the Aston over any of them, but still it'd be a cool test).

Aston Martin hand down. But I hope Aston Martin will come out with a new V8 Vangtage-S version with more hp. The Aston Martin V8 Vantage look so much better than the Jag.

Lexus

Dawn...that Aston Martin is truly a beast on that tract;imagine if you put 450+ hp under the hood. The current V8 Vantage only has 380hp, it still a beast on that track.

Lexus - 1/29/2007 6:17:10 PM

Aston Martin hand down. But I hope Aston Martin will come out with a new V8 Vangtage-S version with more hp. The Aston Martin V8 Vantage look so much better than the Jag.
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A Vantage S if there will be one shouldn't be anymore than 400bhp because it will be closing in on the DB9 range with a V12 producing 450bhp.

Unless, they up the horsepower for every model starting from the Vanquish S from 520bhp to 600bhp, DB9 from 420bhp to 480-490bhp, and V8 Vantage 380bhp to 400bhp since it is the entry-level Aston.

But I totally agree with Aston upping the ante with there horsepower since there seems to be this horsepower war in the automotive industry.

Agent63, I heard rumor that Aston Martin is getting rid of the Vanguish. How true is that? anyone here heard of any such rumor? And then making the DB9 their top of the crop model.

Aston Martin just need to add more horse power to it cars. I would definitely like the V8 Vantage to have 450+ hp, and DB9 550 hp and the Vanguish S with 600+ hp. After all you are paying a load of money for it.

Their are so much cars out their; that cost less than an Aston Martin Vantage that has more hp. Here are some of them: Audi RS, M6, Jag XKR, M5, Lexus IS-F, Cadillac CTS-V.

I know none of the mention cars above has that same prestige as Aston Martin. But still I would like to spank those cars mention above at the red light;)

Lexus

Lexus,

I don't follow Aston that much so who knows what they will do. Anything is possible but if they decide to take out a model, the runner up better boost up their BHP to still be able to compete against its rivals.

There may be cars with less prestige and lower costs but the sound that Astons produce is just mind blowing. The overall feel of the cars you mentioned will also be different. Most of the Aston owners probably won't be racing off a red(especially in Britain :-P) but they are very capable cars regardless of their BHPs.

It would be nice to see their power boosted up a little though.

-Agent63

Jag looks better. Seen them both in person side by side. The only Aston that looks as good as the Jag is the DB9. The only sports car that looks as good as the Jag is the DB9.

and the front of the XK looks great in person. One of the best frontal designs out there. This shape (XK, DB9, and V8 Vantage) is currently unbeatable from all angles IMO.

I personally think the Jag XK is horrendous. Ford's cost cutting and finanncial woes scream from every ounce of that car with cheap and outdated materials. I never got the exterior. I still would prefer the old XK than this new one. the XKR costs as much or even more than an M6. I'm not cutting up Jags attempt on this one, but please make a product that atleast competes or adds something new to instill fear to the competition. i think its overrated in price and in performance and not the XK it once was. Just my opinion. An Aston will always look better than a Jag. Even Jeremy confesses to the Vantage being more better looking.

If you're judging this in comparison to the last gen XK then you can say there is a lot less wood that may appear to cheapen the luxury brand that Jaguar is meant to be. But woodgrain does not make or break a luxury car. I think the new design is more contemporary but not the best looking one. It's functionality is good but not the most sophisticated. I think they rather be safe than sorry considering the financial problems coming from the parent company. It would be in their best interest to keep it that way or else their interiors will begin to look too tacky.

"more better.."?

Ah, Okay.

(You need an English lesson as bad as a spelling one.)

What "even Jeremy thinks" is of no matter to each and every individual. I prefer the Jag visually, though the Aston has the stronger prestige nameplate factor. Jag is essentially same car (slight power variance) at better value.

With all due respect to your personal preference, I would like to confirm that most people who have viewed the jaguar xk in person has agreed that it looks tremendous, and powerful, certainly not horrendous(as you seem to sum it up). I personally had the chance to compare the vehicles (XK and AM V8) in Washington Auto show, and certainly the overall dynamism in the design of the jaguar is just striking, it is much more fluent and very much more expressive than the AM V8. In favor of the aston martin, only their front headlamps look more modern, but certainly the lamps on the jaguar match the body shape and bulged lines to absolute perfection. I think that you have not seen the car in person and you are just fouling about a car whose presence can not be sum up in pictures. Please go see the car first and then comment.

Oh and also i have driven the xk, it still has wood and leather in sumptuous amount and certainly there are no creaks or tweaks in the articles, seats are very comfortable and well placed, the dash board is very functional and pure. Don't see what seems to scream cheapness, luxury is affluent in the cars. Most people seem to comment here without having any personal experience on the car.

Jeremy actually said in Top Gear magazine that the XKR looks better than the Vantage. He can't make up his mind.

I guess it just all come down to preference. Hand down the Aston Martin V8; what a mind blowing performance on the track. The noise it make is just incredible considering it only has 380 hp.

Lexus

I'll even take AMV8 Vantage over 911 S.

Stunning.One of the most beatiful car on road.

JUGNU

^ ^
Correction...the most beautiful car on the road.

Completely different cars. To me, the XKR is like a V8 Vantage for 25% off. Unlike most, I love the way the XK looks, from every angle. Sure, the AM V8 may be more beautiful/exclusive, but it's not as fast (though faster than a DB9 in a straight line), and AM, like Porsche, barrages you with options.

I'll take an XKR, please. Oh, I have $45,000 left? Right. Give me a 2005 S4 on the side.