Porsche 911 vs. Jaguar XKR-S Video

Porsche 911 vs. Jaguar XKR-S Video Transcript

Here at CNET, we like to bring you a prizefight now and again that pits two products that millions of people are seriously crushed up and against each other. This is not once of those occasions. I'm Brian Cooley with this prizefight. The all new 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S against the 2012 Jaguar XKR-S. About all they have in common is the S and that's what makes this so much fun. Let me give you my take on how they compare head to head. My first category is power. It's the first thing people talk about with cars like these and patently unfair on its face. I mean we're comparing a naturally S rated 911 to a super charged Jaguar but a funny thing happens when you box the numbers. The Jag has 550 horsepower. The Porsche 400. Torque on the Jag is a monstrous 502 foot pounds, 325 on the 911. But look at 0 to 60 times, 4.2 seconds on the Jag, 4.3 on the 911. That's because of this, the weight. The Jag weights 3968 (torque?) pounds. The Porsche 3250. That comes to a power of weight ratio of 7.2 pounds per horse on the Jag, 8.13 on the Porsche. So, I'd like to give it to the Porsche for more elegant engineering but the Jag comes on like freight train and takes it on the numbers. Next category is Cabin Tech, neither of these cars are the paragon of Cabin Tech or interface thereof but the Jag system is a certified mess. It's a cluttered laggy interface, pointless and annoying screen animation and has no (aux?) jack or Bluetooth streaming. So, if you don't have an iPhone, you're stuck with CD's the radio or that dummy in the passenger seat. Give this one to Porsche. On to styling, the Jag is as the English might say, all target up. Being a specialty model,l it's been de-chromed. It's got a (voyeur?) racer body kit on it and a big old wing for Christ's sake. It doesn't read well but in person. It's a damn good looking car. The 2012 911 is no slouch though. It's got a new longer wheel base, short or front rear overhang and it's just a little wider. The Jag makes a stronger statement but after the wow factor wears off, I'd rather be seen on the Porsche. Give it to the 911. Next category, (Cred?), Porsche. Next, now on the practicality, you can get a 911 with all 4 wheels driven. The Jag rear wheel drive only. That makes a big difference if you live where you get wetter and this is gonna be your only car. On the other hand, the 911 has just vestigial back seats and a deep but kinda oddly shaped front truck. The Jag also has cruel little rear seats but thanks to its lift back design, it can swallow some golf clubs and more normal size luggage. It's probably your better to live it weekend ride. So, give it to Jag on this one. On to the price and this is a real unfair comparison. The Jag XKR-S is basically 132 grand with very few options to move that number. The Carrera S is a little under 100 but the options can put it up at the Jag's price but by then you're juggling apples and oranges anyway. I think the most telling factor is that none of us here on the CNET Car Tech Team could really get used to spending $132,000 on a Jaguar. See cred above and residuals in a couple of years. So, save a grip and give the nod to the 911. Unto our winner, the score obviously is pretty lopsided 4 to 2 in categories in favor of the 911 but it's actually a lot closer than that. Sort of like picking bourbon or ice cream. You just wanna say yes. We thought the Jag was going to be a poser and it's not. It's a hot looking road taming barn burner and you're much more likely to put it to a stop light in a 911 and see one right next to you but maybe there's a reason for that. I'm Brian Cooley. Thanks for watching. You need a kick from me. I'm a Ford. God, there goes my prostate. Jesus.