Skip advert
Advertisement

Jaguar XF Diesel S review

The impressive V6 diesel version of Jaguar's XF sports saloon gets new handling and styling packs

Evo rating
RRP
from £38,600
  • Does a good job of being an XFR-lite
  • Nothing can replace the real thing

What is it?An XF with more frugal running costs, but a handling pack, large wheels and various bodywork addenda to ensure you don’t miss out on all the fun an XFR can dish up.  Technical highlightsThe updated 3-litre V6 turbodiesel is good for 271bhp and a thumping 442lb ft of torque, while covering 42 miles for every gallon of the black stuff. The Aerodynamic Pack costs £1500 and for this you get the side sills from the XFR and black mesh grilles. For another £500 you can add the LED running lights, but it’s the Dynamics Pack that intrigues most. It costs £1250 and includes huge 20-inch ‘Volans’ five-spoke wheels and the Adaptive Dynamics system. The software of which analyses the chassis and driver inputs 500 times a second and uses the resultant information to improve handling without apparently sacrificing comfort.  

Advertisement - Article continues below

What’s it like to drive?You do get one of the above, but not both. Handling is improved by the Dynamics pack, but there is a small reduction in driver comfort. With the system the XF DS is more positive on the way into a corner, particularly with the nose, but you will feel ridges and bumps a little more. It could be argued that the XF has so much built-in comfort that the sacrifice is small enough to be insignificant. How does it compare?Very well. Of course you won’t get the fireworks dished up by the XFR, but it’s a good compromise between executive comfort, a thoroughly entertaining chassis and sensible running costs

Anything else I need to know?It draws a surprising amount of attention from other road users, it has only 19lb ft less torque than the XFR and the dash to 60mph takes only 1.2 seconds longer.

Specifications

EngineV6, 2993cc, turbodiesel
Max power271bhp @ 4000rpm
Max torque442lb ft @ 2000rpm
0-605.9sec
Top speed155mph (limited)
On saleNow, £38,600
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Ford Focus ST (Mk3) – the car world's greatest misses
Ford Focus ST Mk3
Features

Ford Focus ST (Mk3) – the car world's greatest misses

We’d hoped the 2015 Focus ST would share a good dose of its little brother’s magic. Sadly, it didn’t
28 Apr 2025
The Ferrari 296 Speciale has arrived, and it could be the most thrilling Ferrari ever
Ferrari 296 Speciale – front
News

The Ferrari 296 Speciale has arrived, and it could be the most thrilling Ferrari ever

The 296 Speciale is the latest in Ferrari's line of mid-engined road racers, packing 868bhp and LaFerrari-beating pace on track
29 Apr 2025
Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 2025 review – the ultimate analogue hypercar
GMA T.50 front
Reviews

Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 2025 review – the ultimate analogue hypercar

The GMA T.50 is the car we thought would never come: Gordon Murray's sequel to the ultimate hypercar, the McLaren F1
26 Apr 2025