Aston Martin V12 Vantage S vs. Jaguar XKR-S GT on Head 2 Head

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As posh British brands, Aston Martin and Jaguar are known for their luxurious high-performance GTs. That is, before the new2015 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Sand2014Jaguar XKR-SGTcoupes arrived. Both coupes feature at least 550 hp, carbon ceramic brakes, adjustable suspension, and sticky Pirelli tires. On this episode ofHead 2 Head, Carlos Lago compares the two high-performance Britons at the track and on the street.

At the drag strip, both cars hit 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and cleared the quarter-mile in 12.3 seconds, with the lighter and more powerful V12 Vantage S posting a slightly higher trap speed (119.7 mph vs. 121.5 mph). Both cars stopped in nearly the same distance with the XKR-S GT stopping in 103 feet and the V12 Vantage S stopping in 102 feet. The Jaguar was slightly faster around the figure-eight, posting 23.7 seconds at 0.87 g average compared to the Aston Martin's 23.9 second run at 0.86 g average.

On the street, both cars sound good under wide open throttle. Lago says the V12 Vantage S' naturally aspirated 5.9-liter V-12 sounds sweeter, while the XFR-S GT's supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 has a more brutal, raw sound. While the Jaguar is saddled with a traditional automatic transmission, it shifts better than the more expensive Aston Martin's automated single-clutch gearbox at slow to moderate speeds. At wide open throttle, the V12 Vantage S shifts much firmer, though it can upset the chassis.

After evaluating both cars on the street, Lago takes them up to Willow Springs International Raceway to see which one is the better track car. Check out the video below to see the 2015 Aston Martin V12 Vantage S and 2014 Jaguar XKR-S GT goHead 2 Head.

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