We’ve driven the new Jaguar! | The Car Podcast #84
The Car Podcast with Chris Harris & Friends
We’ve driven the new Jaguar! | The Car Podcast #84 The Car Podcast with Chris Harris & Friends · Apr 24, 2026
We’ve driven the new Jaguar! | The Car Podcast #84

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We’ve driven the new Jaguar! | The Car Podcast #84
Topic

Goodwood members meeting

Goodwood is a famous racing venue in the UK, and the Members’ Meeting is an event where car people gather. The hosts are saying some of them went there this week.

Concept

Jaguar Classic

Jaguar Classic is about the company’s older cars and history. It’s like a heritage program where you learn about the brand’s past before looking at newer models.

Jaguar XJ12
Car

Jaguar XJ12

The Jaguar XJ12 is an old Jaguar with a big V12 engine. It’s the kind of car collectors love because it’s luxurious and sounds/feels very special, and this one is from the mid-1980s.

Term

Targa V12

“Targa” refers to a roof style where the car has a removable roof section (or openable panel) while retaining structural elements like a roll bar/upper frame. Pairing it with a V12 highlights the classic Jaguar formula: open-air cruising with a smooth, high-displacement engine.

Term

brick phone

That “brick phone” is the huge, old-style mobile phone people used in the 1980s. The host is saying the car still has the original one, which makes it feel like a real time capsule.

Renault 25
Car

Renault 25

The Renault 25 is a car model from the 1980s that was made for normal everyday driving. The podcast mentions it in the context of an old advertisement. It’s basically a reminder of how common and well-known the model was at the time.

Term

5.3-litre V12 engine

A 5.3-liter V12 is a large-displacement V12 engine, meaning two banks of six cylinders arranged in a “V” shape. In classic Jaguars, this kind of engine is prized for its smoothness and strong character at idle and low speeds—exactly what the host is reacting to when he says it’s “going like this.”

Concept

low-loading forklift truck

This describes a specialized vehicle-handling system used in collections or workshops: a low-loader that can lift a car from the front and then roll it into position. The key idea is controlled, repeatable positioning without needing to drive the car around the facility.

Jaguar Type Jaguar
Car

Jaguar Type Jaguar

The Jaguar F-Type is a modern sports car from Jaguar. It’s built to be fun to drive and to look like a proper sports car. The podcast connects it to classic Jaguar styling and colors.

Term

Deep Metallic Grey with Oxblood leather

They’re describing the car’s exact color and interior trim. On classic cars, the right paint and leather combo can make the car feel more “right” and can also affect collector interest.

Topic

track called Gaiden

“Gaiden” is mentioned as the track at the “big Jaguar place,” framing the segment as a track-driven experience rather than a static showroom evaluation. For listeners, it signals that these Jaguars were tested dynamically on a real circuit.

Jaguar Type Convertible
Car

Jaguar Type Convertible

“Jaguar” here means the car brand. The podcast talks about driving different Jaguar cars, including a convertible with a 3.6-liter straight-six engine. It’s mentioned because the brand makes multiple types of cars.

Term

third to second

He’s talking about downshifting from 3rd gear to 2nd. On some older manual cars, that shift can be awkward unless you time it just right.

Jaguar XJ6
Car

Jaguar XJ6

This is a Jaguar XJ6 that’s been fitted with a V12 engine. A V12 makes the car feel more special and more exciting than the usual straight-six XJ6.

Jaguar XJC 12
Car

Jaguar XJC 12

This is another Jaguar XJ variant with a V12 engine. The “12” is the important part—it’s the engine that makes it feel like a proper big, fast grand tourer.

Concept

pothole road

Potholes are bumps in the road that hit your tires and suspension. If the car makes them feel mild, it means the suspension is doing a good job soaking up the bumps instead of jolting you.

Concept

vinyl roof

A vinyl roof is a plastic-looking roof covering that’s used for style. It’s usually not about performance—more about how the car looks and sometimes how it feels inside.

Concept

invited to the inner sanctum of a car company

They’re describing how car companies sometimes invite journalists into their factories and give special access. The hosts suggest that this experience can make reviewers feel more positive about the car.

Concept

make or break

“Make or break” means this is a do-or-die situation. If it goes well, things improve; if it goes badly, it could hurt the company a lot.

Company

Maranello

Maranello is where Ferrari is based in Italy. The host is using it to illustrate how being at the heart of the brand can change how you feel about the car.

Concept

test track

A test track is a special driving course where cars are evaluated. It’s designed to let you test performance in a consistent way, which can affect what you think of the car.

Infiniti M45
Car

Infiniti M45

The Infiniti M45 is a luxury car that’s meant to feel more powerful than the standard versions. The podcast mentions it during a highway drive, showing it’s used for normal road trips. It’s basically a comfortable sedan with extra performance.

Bentayga
Car

Bentayga

The Bentley Bentayga is a luxury SUV from Bentley. It’s the kind of car people use when they want comfort and a premium feel for a longer drive.

Topic

Bistro Scramble

“Bistro Scramble” sounds like a specific event format tied to the members’ gathering—likely a fun, timed or staged arrival/drive-in for borrowed cars. The key point is that the hosts are coordinating special cars to show up for that event.

Porsche Cayenne
Car

Porsche Cayenne

A Porsche Cayenne is Porsche’s SUV. It’s basically a Porsche you can drive like a normal car, but with Porsche-style performance. The host is saying they bought one even though it has a lot of miles.

Concept

clause that means that if it doesn't meet with his expectations, it's going back

They’re talking about a written promise in the deal. If the car doesn’t match what the buyer was expecting, the buyer can return it.

Term

every button has to work

“Every button has to work” is a buyer’s standard for complete functional verification of the car’s controls and infotainment/comfort switches. It’s essentially a checklist approach: if any button or function fails, it can trigger a return under the contract.

Concept

service history

Service history is the log of work done on the car—like oil changes and repairs. It helps you understand whether the car was maintained properly.

Term

internal combustion engine

An internal combustion engine is the kind of engine that burns fuel to make the car move. They’re making a joke that there aren’t literal buttons inside the engine.

Concept

demonstration

A “demonstration” in motorsport context typically means a controlled on-track display—often for showcasing a car, driver, or event—rather than a competitive race. It helps explain why someone might be “pretending to race” while still staying within event rules and safety limits.

Concept

racing suit

A racing suit is the special outfit drivers wear at the track. It’s made to be safer and more comfortable than normal clothes when you’re driving hard.

Concept

Steve McQueen

They’re referencing Steve McQueen, who was famous for both acting and being into racing. Here it’s just a way of saying the guy looks like that classic “cool racer” type.

Concept

Ken Miles vibe

They’re comparing the person’s look to Ken Miles, a famous race driver. It’s more about the attitude/style than anything technical.

Concept

revival

They’re talking about doing a special event that brings back the vibe of classic racing. Instead of skipping it, they’re saying you should go because it’s part of the fun and the culture.

Brand

Jaggy

“Jaggy” is a nickname for Jaguar, and here it’s clearly shorthand for an experience or event involving Jaguar. Since the episode title mentions “the new Jaguar,” this is likely a reference to time spent with the brand’s latest model(s).

Topic

away day

An “away day” just means the team goes somewhere else for an event. It’s like a club trip—sometimes for driving or meeting up.

Term

M25

The M25 is a big ring road around London. People use it to describe where you are and how long a drive might take.

Term

M11

The M11 is a big highway in the UK. They’re basically saying that area is usually slow or congested, so trips can take longer than you’d expect.

Concept

bogey part of the UK

They mean a part of the UK that’s a pain to get to or deal with. It’s more about frustration and experience than anything car-related.

Concept

stages of the shunt

A “shunt” just means a crash. Saying “stages” means the crash happens in steps—first impact, then the car gets pushed and crumples, and then things like steering or other systems may stop working. It’s a way to explain what happened in order.

Term

steering wheel stopped working

If the steering wheel stops working after a crash, it usually means the steering system got damaged or the help system failed. That can make the car hard or impossible to control even if the wheels are still turning.

Concept

dynamic exercise to drive the new electric Jaguar

They’re calling it a “dynamic exercise,” meaning it’s a real driving evaluation, not just looking at the car. With an electric car, it’s especially about how it feels when you accelerate and how stable it is while driving.

Concept

heritage

“Heritage” means the brand’s history and what it’s known for. Jaguar is trying to connect the new electric cars to the things people associate with the brand from the past.

Company

Rodin Glover

Rodin Glover is referenced as “the boss” at the Jaguar event. This is a people/leadership mention rather than a technical automotive term, but it can be useful for listeners who want to connect the discussion to who’s steering the brand’s direction.

Concept

ride and handling

“Ride and handling” is how comfortable the car feels over rough roads and how well it steers and stays stable when you drive hard. The host is saying this car is excellent at both, especially the comfort part.

Concept

a thousand horsepower

“Thousand horsepower” means the car has a huge amount of power. With that much power, it’s usually very quick. But the host is also hinting that how it drives (ride and control) matters as much as raw power.

Concept

weighs as much as a celestial orb

The host is joking that the car is extremely heavy. Heavy cars can feel less agile and can make braking and cornering harder, but they’re saying this one still feels impressive anyway.

Concept

jaguar-ness

“Jaguar-ness” is the idea of a specific driving feel that Jaguar is known for. The host is saying the new car still feels like a Jaguar in how it rides and handles.

Concept

marketplace that they're entering

The host is talking about the competition and customer expectations in the segment Jaguar is trying to join. Even a great car has to fit what buyers in that category are looking for.

Concept

flat-floor

“Flat-floor” refers to a cabin floor shape that helps packaging and can improve perceived space and ergonomics. In the context of the 1961 Jaguar E-Type, it’s part of what made the car feel unusually modern for its era.

Term

electric steering

Electric steering means the car helps you turn using an electric motor. Because it’s controlled electronically, engineers can tune how heavy or light the steering feels.

Term

accelerated

They’re talking about how the car’s body moves when you put your foot down. Some cars stay very flat, while others lift or rise a little as the suspension shifts weight.

Concept

weight transfer

Weight transfer is what happens to the car’s “balance” when you speed up or slow down. The suspension reacts, so the car may squat or lift a bit depending on what the chassis is doing.

Topic

great British Jaguar Day

“Great British Jaguar Day” is an event they’re putting on. The hosts say it’s meant to be about Jaguar’s whole story—where it came from, what it is now, and where it’s going.

Company

Vista Motion

Vista Motion is another partner helping with the Jaguar event. They’re mentioned alongside other car-focused groups, implying they contribute to the experience.

Concept

engineering prototype

A prototype is a near-finished test car. It’s built so engineers can check how the systems work, and it may have unusual controls or extra people to help during testing.

Term

167 miles an hour

They’re talking about how fast the car was able to go on a straight during testing. The point is that it felt stable and composed at speed.

Concept

electric cars

Electric cars use motors instead of a traditional engine, and they often feel different when you accelerate. The hosts are saying this one didn’t feel like the usual EV “instant shove” stereotype.

Concept

uncamouflaged

Uncamouflaged means the car is being shown without the usual disguise panels. It suggests the final design is getting close to ready for people to see.

Term

Nürburgring

The Nürburgring is a very famous race track in Germany. Automakers use it to test cars hard, because it’s tough on the car and reveals problems quickly.

Term

four-wheel steer

Four-wheel steering means the back wheels can turn too, not just the front wheels. That can make the car easier to steer at low speeds and more stable at higher speeds. In this case, they’re saying the effect is smooth and not obvious, but still helpful.

Term

2.7 tons

They’re talking about how heavy the car is—about 2.7 tons. A heavier car often feels smoother and more stable, but it can also feel less agile. They’re basically saying the car is big and heavy, yet it still feels good to drive.

Term

160

“160” appears to reference a speed they didn’t reach during the drive. Rather than focusing on exact numbers, the takeaway is that the evaluation was likely done at normal road speeds, emphasizing comfort and steering feel over outright top-end performance.

Concept

confidence improving lap after lap

They’re saying that after a few laps, they started to feel more comfortable and in control. That usually happens when you learn how the car grips the road and where it wants you to brake.

Concept

silent engine

They’re talking about how electric cars can be much quieter than normal gas engines. The idea is that Jaguar wanted a more refined, quiet experience, and electric power helps achieve that.

Term

group tests

“Group tests” are evaluations where multiple cars are tested side-by-side under the same conditions to compare performance, handling, comfort, and overall usability. Winning group tests usually signals that a car was consistently strong across different measures, not just in one headline metric.

Peugeot 205 GTI
Car

Peugeot 205 GTI

The Peugeot 205 GTI was a super popular “hot hatch” back in its day. People loved how it drove, and it was seen as the best kind of small performance car for that time.

Volkswagen Gti
Car

Volkswagen Gti

The Volkswagen Golf is a popular compact car. The podcast compares it to a famous sporty version of another car, suggesting it was a key “go-to” sporty model for its time. In simple terms, it’s a normal car that also had a fun, performance side.

Concept

original racing car

An original race car is one that’s meant to be run like it was in its racing days. Because it’s older, it can be more temperamental, so small problems can cause big trouble.

Term

carburetor

A carburetor is an older-style part that mixes fuel with air so the engine can run. If it’s not working right, the engine can feel weak or may not run properly at all.

Term

warm-up lap

A warm-up lap is a lap you do right before the race to get everything working properly—engine, tires, and brakes—so the car feels right when you launch.

Term

chicane

A chicane is a twisty section of track made of quick turns to slow you down. If your car stalls there, it’s hard to recover because you’re not going fast enough to regain momentum easily.

Term

scrutineers

Scrutineers are race officials who check cars to make sure they follow the rules. If they’re paying a lot of attention, it usually means there were questions about whether everything was compliant.

Concept

first motor race

Racing for the first time is hard because it’s not just about speed. You also have to get the car ready and deal with the rules and practical stuff that comes with events.

Concept

navigate all the policing

“Policing” here likely refers to enforcement of racing rules—scrutineering, technical compliance, and on-track regulations. For first-time racers, this can feel like constant obstacles because the car may need specific safety or technical requirements to be allowed to compete.

Concept

buying a car and going racing

Buying a car to race it is different from buying one to drive normally. You usually need to prepare it and make sure it’s suitable for track use and the event rules.

Term

bird shit

Bird droppings can actually hurt your car’s paint if you leave them there too long. They’re easier to remove when you clean them soon, and special wipes or cleaners can help lift them without scrubbing too hard.

Term

polishes

Polish is like a paint “refresher.” It helps make the paint look shiny again and can remove small marks, but it’s not the same as a protective wax layer.

Term

foam and the cloths

Detailing foam and soft cloths help lift dirt without grinding it into the paint. If you wipe something dirty while it’s dry, it can cause scratches.

Term

baby wipes

These are special wipes made for removing bird droppings without damaging your paint. They’re handy because they’re quick, but you still shouldn’t scrub hard or let the mess sit too long.

Concept

paint etching from dried contaminants

If bird droppings dry on your car, they can stick and even damage the paint. That’s why people try to clean them quickly and avoid rubbing them when they’re dried on.

Term

PPF

PPF is a clear protective sheet that you stick onto your car’s paint. It’s meant to keep bugs, small scratches, and road grime from damaging the paint underneath.

Term

guano

Guano just means bird droppings. The key point is that it can be acidic, which can damage the paint if it sits there.

Term

uric acid

Uric acid is part of bird droppings. It’s the chemical that can make the paint finish get damaged if you don’t wash it off quickly.

Concept

acid doesn't like paint and paint doesn't like acid

It’s basically saying acids can damage paint. That’s why you shouldn’t let bird droppings sit on the car for long.

Concept

satellite tracking

They’re making a joke that birds can track your car, but birds do tend to go where they can land and feed. The practical takeaway is to avoid parking under places birds like to hang out and to wash the mess off fast.

Concept

repolished

Repolishing means buffing the paint to make it look smooth and shiny again. If the bird mess has been sitting, it can leave marks that need buffing to fix.

Seagulls
Car

Seagulls

A seagull is a type of bird. The podcast is saying the seagulls left because there wasn’t anything for them to eat. It’s not a car—just part of the scene being described.

Topic

COVID-era seaside silence

They’re talking about how, during COVID, there were fewer people around beaches. With less food around, the seagulls changed their behavior and the whole place felt unusually quiet.

Term

Goodwood car park

Goodwood is a well-known UK motorsport and automotive venue, and its car parks are part of the on-site experience. The hosts mention dust buildup from parking there, which is relevant to real-world car care after events.

Term

convertibles with the roof open

If you leave a convertible’s top down, dust can get inside and onto the car more easily. They’re joking that people think it’ll be easy to clean later, but it often isn’t.

Term

fine dust

Fine dust is the kind of tiny dirt that sticks to the car. It can be harder to wipe off cleanly, so you may need a proper wash.

Concept

don't park under a tree

Birds often sit in trees and can drop stuff on your car. If you can, park somewhere without trees overhead to avoid getting mess on the paint and windows.

Concept

birds poo on cars

Bird droppings are a common car annoyance. The idea is that where you park and how fast you clean up can make a difference.

Concept

bird droppings eating through the lacquer

Bird poop can be surprisingly corrosive. If it sits on your car’s paint, it can burn through the protective clear layer, leaving damage that often can’t be fixed with a quick wash.

Concept

rolling road

A rolling road is basically a dyno test where the car stays put and its wheels spin on rollers. The equipment measures how strong the engine is so you can see what changes improved (or hurt) performance.

Concept

polished it all up

Polishing is how you buff the paint to make it look shiny again. It can remove small marks, but if the paint’s protective layer is damaged, you may still need more than polishing.

Concept

Magpies like shiny things

Some birds, like magpies, are curious about shiny or reflective things. If your car is very clean and reflective, it can attract them more than a duller car.

Concept

removing seagull poo

Bird droppings can hurt your car’s paint if you don’t remove them the right way. Don’t just wipe them dry—let them soften first, then wash gently so you don’t scratch the surface.

Term

Brillo pad

A Brillo pad is basically a rough scrubber. It can scratch your car’s paint, so it’s not a good idea for removing stains from the clear coat.

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