27/07/09

• Price44,200
• We like...Power, drive, cabin design
• We don't...Fuel economy can't match published figures

 Luxury saloon gets big diesel that promises more power, lower emissions and better economy. Good? We think soWhen Jaguar launched its new XF, it would have been easy for all concerned to admire what they’d done, sit back and wait for the compliments to roll in. But no. Here, not yet two years into its life and Jaguar has ditched its already pretty accomplished 2.7-litre diesel and replaced it with this, a 3.0.

The plan was to boost power, cut emissions and improve fuel economy and, at a stroke, Jaguar has succeeded. The new engine comes with two power outputs 237bhp and 271bhp, the latter marked by an ‘S’ badge on the boot. And that’s the one we’re trying here.

What it ds is to take a supremely competent car – one of the best-ever Jaguars, in our books – and make it seriously quick. But it ds so effortlessly. There’s no scrabble, no fuss, no drama. You point, press the throttle and off it whooshes. It’s not searingly fast but the power’s there from low revs and, thanks to its six-speed auto gearbox, it just keeps on pulling. There’s a bit of burble when it’s idling but otherwise the cabin remains hushed, no matter what you get up to. It really is civilised.

You sit low in the car, building a feeling that this is a ‘big’ car. But as you move off it ‘shrinks’ around you, so direct and feel-some is its steering and so supple but controlled is the ride.

The suspension settings haven’t changed but then they didn’t need to. In fact, the only visual differences between the 3.0 and 2.7 are a new design of wheels and the inclusion of a weeny boot spoiler.

The cabin hasn't changed and that makes us glad. It’s lovely, all leather and costly-looking machined metal. And as before, it hides an elite-class party trick. Climb in and take a moment to watch the starter button, which pulsates a backlit red glow to a heartbeat rhythm. Thumb it and, as you’d expect, the engine starts. What comes as a surprise is the way that the four air vents across the dash swivel to open, while the big chromed dial of a gear selector rises out of the dash. As a piece of theatre, it's terrific.

But, gadgets aside, the XF’s an easy car to spend time in. The car’s sleek profile means the cabin feels cosy in the way that a Jag should. If you're very big, or have big friends it’ll feel a squeeze. That said, leg and head room is decent, even for those in the rear. And the boot’s long enough front-to-back to swallow four standard suitcases, with provision to drop the rear seats should you need more space.

Should you buy? Definitely. It is a truly exceptional car – the best Jaguar for a generation – and while it costs plenty, we reckon it is worth every penny. Faults? Hardly. The only one worth mentioning is its appetite for fuel. Its 'official' consumption promises up to 42mpg across a mix of driving. We covered 150 miles in it across a variety of roads and conditions, taking it (fairly) easy, and we couldn’t squeeze more than 22 miles from a gallon. That aside, it’s close to perfect.

To read the motors.co.uk review - and watch the video - of the Jaguar XF 2.7, click here
To view and buy new and second-hand Jaguar XFs, click here

 

• Engines3.0 diesel
• Power275bhp
• 0-60 mph5.9secs
• Economy42.0mpg
• CO2g/km179
• Insurance groups18E
• EuroNCAP
• Airbags6
• Seats5

Motors.co.uk value verdict: