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I've been driving two very different kinds of cars lately. And "different" is putting it mildly. Unless you think a 510-horsepower Jaguar, and a walk-in washing machine --inspired by a bulldog wearing sunglasses-- seem to you, similar. Both serve as reminders of how aggressively, car manufacturers target very specific segments of the car-buying public.
The 510-horse Jag is the XFR. When you see an R badge on a Jaguar, that means it's the race-tuned version of an existing model: in this case, last year's newly restyled XF, Jaguar's mid-level sedan that's designed to compete with the BMW 5-series, Cadillac CTS,or Mercedes E-class. The XFR is lighter and stronger than it's more subdued sibling, powered by a supercharged V-8. I love standing on the go-fast pedal, and watching the revs build, until it's time to paddle-shift up a gear. 0-60 in about 4-1/2 seconds: a quarter mile in 13 seconds. On a track, of course. (Really Kent? What track is that? -Ed.) And all of that performance, in a car that stands out, but not too much; and wraps its occupants in a luxurious high-tech interior. 15city/21hiway. $80,000.
****
Then, there's the Nissan Cube. Candidly, I thought I would hate this car, but I was wrong, 100% wrong. It's a hoot. The silly-smile factor is undeniable. Nissan was a bit late to the youthful box-on-wheels party, following the Scion xB, and arriving about the same time as the Kia Soul. No matter.
If you want a "mobile device" (Nissan's term) with seating for four and a high roof liner that looks like the ripples of a stone that someone threw in a pond, come on down. I don't know why the dashboard has a shag carpet circle on it, nor do I feel that cars need color-changing floor lighting; but then, I'm not a 20-something looking for an economical ($15,500, plus or minus) way to get three of my friends to the club. Performance? Yea, it's got some, uh, somewhere. 0-60, takes twice as long as the XKR above. But does the Jag have an asymetrical rear window? Ha! It does not. And yes, the sytlists say it really was inspired by a bulldog -- a dog-- in shades.
Two cars, as different as, well a dog and a cat. And about as compatable. But you know what? Both are fun to have around.
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