Jaguar XF 2.2D 163 PS goes on sale

Jaguar XF 2.2D 163 PS - less powerful XF launched

Jaguar finally came clean on its entry-level XF – the Jaguar XF 2.2 diesel – back in March last year, after speculation and denials about a cheaper XF almost since the XF first arrived. But having bitten the bullet on an entry-level XF, Jaguar has now done it in spades by revealing an entry-entry-level XF – the Jaguar XF 2.2D 163PS.

By cutting out a few frills and leaving a few horses in Gaydon, Jaguar are managing to bring the XF 163PS in a a shade under £30k – £1,000 less than the 190PS version of the XF 2.2 diesel.

The XF 2.2D 163 PS takes a while longer to get to 62mph than its more powerful sibling – 9.8 seconds (8.5 seconds for the 190 PS) – but, at least as far as official figures are concerned, averages the same 52.4mpg and emits the same CO2 – 149g/km.

Specification is not too bad, with part leather, touchscreen, Climate and the 8-speed auto ‘box with stop-start which is proliferating round Jaguar Land Rover.

Arguably, a sub-£30k XF is a selling point – and will work for employees with a £30k list price ceiling – but as a private buy we’re not sure the XF 163PS makes a lot of sense. It’s a chunk slower but no less parsimonious – although its seems to be coming with the same spec as the more powerful 2.2D models – and it’s only £1k cehaper.

Still, we’ve no doubt the new Jaguar XF 2.2D 163 PS will be a seller for Jaguar.