Diesel purr!

AFTER shocking enthusiasts the world over in 2002 with a front-wheel drive X-Type sedan, Jaguar is making another move completely out of left field with a turbo-diesel S-Type.

The conservative British brand is moving with the times as it answers growing demand for a diesel Cat across Europe, where oil-burners account for more than 40 per cent of the premium segment.

The latest-generation 2.7-litre common-rail twin-turbo diesel is not new, having already been pressed into service by Land Rover in its Discovery III, and Peugeot in its 407 coupe and, later this year, the 407 sedan.

However, Jaguar claims it has made sure the rear-drive S-Type diesel – to be priced from $101,490 – delivers the kind of performance and refinement its owners demand.

The Euro 4-compliant V6 engine develops 154kW at 4000rpm and 435Nm from just 1900rpm, a peak torque figure which is higher than the S-Type’s naturally aspirated (420Nm) 4.2-litre V8 petrol engine. A claimed 80 per cent of the torque is available from just 1500rpm, through to 4000rpm.

Combined standard with a six-speed ZF automatic, the engine delivers a 0-100km/h sprint of 8.6 seconds and a top speed, where permitted, of 227km/h. It also has 47 per cent better fuel consumption than the V8 with a combined economy figure of 8.0L/100km.

The 3.0-litre V6 petrol and supercharged 4.2-litre V8 petrol continue.

The diesel Jag also promises good dynamic levels as the engine tips the scales at 202kg, only 15kg heavier than the equivalent V6 petrol engine S-Type.

Jaguar also claims to have tamed noise, vibration and harshness levels over other brands using the same engine.

The V6 uses engine active mounts that Jaguar claims cancel up to 90 per cent of idle vibration and has its own final-drive assembly to soften take-up of the engine’s huge torque, together with sound-attenuating features such as the double-skinned sump and composite camshaft cover.

The 2006 model year S-Type range benefits from a host of styling changes including a new rear-end design, aluminium bonnet, claimed dynamic improvements, enhanced interior features and a wider choice of equipment.

Standard equipment on the diesel includes 18-inch alloy wheels, electric driver and passenger seats, metallic paint, satellite navigation, rain-sensing wipers, Bluetooth connectivity, park assist, leather upholstery, wood/leather steering wheel, a trip computer, automatic headlights, six-stack CD stereo, 60/40 split-fold rear seat, climate control air-conditioning and a full-size spare wheel.

Among the safety features are dynamic stability control, traction control, ABS and dual front, side and curtain airbags.

Jaguar Australia expects the diesel to account for 20 per cent of S-Type sales this year, which are forecast to be 200.