Adaptive Speed Control: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Jaguar XKR, 2011 Jaguar XK, 2010 Jaguar XKR, and 2010 Jaguar XK. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The adaptive speed control system uses a forward looking radar sensor to scan the road ahead, looking for objects that are moving at a different rate to itself. When a target is identified the adaptive speed control system will monitor the time gap between it and the target vehicle. When that gap falls below a set driver selected level the adaptive speed control system will intervene slowing the vehicle by backing off the throttle and/or applying the brakes, until the correct gap is attained. The driver can chose between four gap settings, 1, 1.4, 1.8 and 2.2 seconds.

The system will detect but not react to the following:

Vehicles in the oncoming lane
Stationary vehicles
Pedestrians
Vehicles not in the same lane.

Adaptive speed control is active when the vehicle is moving. Adaptive speed control only functions when a set speed is entered in normal speed control mode. The adaptive speed control system only intervenes with the set speed when it detects a target vehicle, and then only if the minimum time gap is breached.

It is important to note that the system is intended for use in limited driving situations, does not remove control and responsibility from the driver, and at all times can be quickly overridden. The adaptive speed control system is not a collision warning system and will not react to stationary objects. The system does not operate below a minimum speed of approximately 20 mph (32 km/h) since it is unsuitable for use in cities or congested traffic. The system is best suited to main roads/ highways with gradual bends.

The engine control module (ECM), throttle body and throttle control are unchanged from those used for the standard speed control variants.