Jaguar XF Diesel S Bares its Claws

Jaguar XF Diesel S - more power, less fuel

We all know how many problems the world’s car makers are having at the moment, and unless central banks ensure normal lending resumes very quickly we’ll all be in a big hole without a shovel. But when you look at what some of the best car manufacturers now have to offer we should be queueing at their door, and finance companies should be bending over backwards to lend.

We’ve seen some great new models, and updates to existing models, come along in the last couple of months since the credit crunch has really started to bite. And none more appealing than the new Jaguar XF Diesel S, which has been announced today by Jaguar.

When the XF was launched many commentators suggested that the XF was Jaguar’s last chance. Its models were outdated and sales were falling badly, but the XF was a beacon of light for the company. And so it has been, with Jaguar now seeing the XF standing shoulder to shoulder with the best from Audi, BMW and Mercedes. But this new Jaguar XF Diesel S is a real star.

This new XF has a 3.0 litre diesel with 273bhp, 0-60 in 5.9 seconds and 445 lb/ft of torque. And all this together with 42mpg and just 179g/km of Co2 emissions.

Cosmetic changes include 20″ wheels, a boot spoiler and the ubiquitous ‘S’ badges, together with sports seats and some tinkering with the SatNav and AirCon. Throw in an updated auto ‘box, with fully auto mode or paddles on the steering wheel, and you have a very good package indeed.

And this new engine will also be seen in de-tuned form in the base level diesel, replacing the old 2.7 litre option.

The XF is a crackingly good drive and despite the ‘all or nothing’ feel that a diesel always brings to the driving experience (no diesel ever ‘sings’ like a good petrol engine) this could well be the XF to have.

Expect to see these engines (which are really a very tweaked version of the old 2.7) to spread through the Jaguar range. More power with less fuel could well see this new engine push Jaguar to the very top of the choice list for many car buyers, and deservedly so.

Sales will start in March and prices are likely to undercut those of BMW’s 535d, although higher than the outgoing model.

Next XF is the XF-R. Now that should be something else!