Here is Jaguar XJ 3.0D V6 that will see something like the three-quarters of XJ business in UK, and it’s actually quite brilliant. And fast enough. And exceptionally quiet. If ever there were case for putting ‘Diesel’ in big fluorescent letters on filler cap, this would be it. Engine does service in XF S diesel, and there is no change in surprisingly non-portly XJ, even given fact that the XJ looks like considerably bigger. Numbers give some indication as what to expect, with 0-62mph with in 6.4 seconds, and 155mph, but meted out with the unusual frugality: this limo should return the 40-ish mpg if you drive it reasonably. V6 thumps out 275bhp and particularly satisfying 443lb ft of torque, which you can access pretty much all of time. Six-speed auto is mind-reading joy, and if you feel the need you can also still access full-suite of XJ go-faster stuff, including a ‘Track’ setting that sees dials turn red, and to adjusts various car-related parameters and paddle-operation of gearbox that auto-blips on down changes.
Steering is accurate, brakes assisted but honest. XJ feel and sounds slightly hollow though; this is the car that’s been pared back to keep the weight down and then had lux bits reinstated. Still, even with stereo set to whisper, you fail to notice after about the five minutes. Refinement is outstanding, and pleasingly low levels of road- and wind noise mean you can conduct the conversations with your distant companions in back seats without the need to raise your voice loudly. There is some gentle chatter from diesel engine at idle, but even when you accelerate very hard, there’s not much more than the low grumble from twin exhaust pipes. Once it’s settled into a cruise, only lower numbers on the rev counter mark it out from petrol-engined cars.
There aren’t many bad bits. People will still worry about rear end, and the clock on the dash looks like a bit cheap and shift paddles may be more tactile, but with this interior and the engine/gearbox combo you’re looking at a car that has all the best of the German limo competition but with slice of British brilliance. It’s a very confident car that can carries Jag further into realms of unquestioned competition for Merc and the BMW. In fact, XJ feels just like the one to have over the Germans. Bring on group test.
Via topgear.com
