European carmakers like to append the suffix “S” to its sportier variants, and here comes Jaguar Philippines launching an S version of the XF sedan. So far, no surprises. The twist in the tail(pipe) comes from what the S is burning—diesel fuel instead of the finest 100-octane dinosaur juice.
The Jaguar XF is not exactly a stranger to us. We were there during its world launch in Monaco two years ago (representing Top Gear Philippines). We saw the new design language from stem to stern, felt the fluidly stable chassis on tight mountain roads, and even experienced the car’s safety in a sort of life-and-death experience. (We came through without a scratch; the car—not quite.)
It’s a pity that we haven’t seen more of them on Philippine roads, because the XF has pushed the brand’s mantra of pace, space, and grace into the 21st century without leaving tradition behind. It’s impossible to see an XF pass by and not have your eyeballs lock onto it. The car’s designer, Scotsman Ian Callum, successfully translated the sinewy lines of the XK coupe to sedan form, with a sharply raked windshield and sleek profile. The rear, in particular, is an imaginative blend of modern taillights and a generous helping of chrome.
It was a sweet reunion of sorts, then, when we made our way to Clark International Speedway for the introduction of the new XF Diesel S. The diesel nature of the beast was kept hidden from the assembled press and customers, with no outright mention of the fuel we would be burning up that afternoon. There was no diesel rattle audible, from inside or outside the car. This is quite a feat, as diesel luxury cars would usually be churchlike inside, but would emit a distinct diesel clatter once you stand beside it.
On paper, the new engine is a wonder of modern diesel technology. For starters, how does 272 bhp and 600 Nm from 3.0 liters sound? The power would be quite remarkable even for a gasoline engine; the torque—impossible from a gasoline engine of that size. That wheel-churning 600 Nm actually matches that of the 5.0 V8 supercharged XF R.
The V6 engine packs all the technology we’d expect from a brand-new engine: commonrail (high-pressure) fuel line, piezo injectors for precise fuel metering, four valves per cylinder, and twin turbochargers. The twin turbos here are sequentially activated, with the primary variable-geometry turbo doing the boost work off the line. The second fixed-geometry unit is isolated from the exhaust stream and the engine inlet below 2800 rpm to help conserve fuel, kicking in instantaneously (within 0.3 seconds) when needed.
The result is a 0-100 km/h run in 5.9 seconds, 1.8 seconds quicker than the previous 2.7-liter diesel. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h. Promised fuel economy is in the 17km/liter range; that sounds too optimistic for city driving, but double-digit km/liter figures are surely not out of the question. (Don’t call me Shirley.)
The Ramirezes—George, Menchie, and Stefan—were our (very patient) instructors for the day. On a slalom run set up on Clark’s main straight, as well as on hot laps of the circuit, the XF acquits itself well. The car feels lighter than one of its 1800 kg mass should, thanks to the responsive engine. The gearbox shifts crisply and is able to smartly downshift and hold gear in the correct locations. There’s even a hint of a growl as the engine approaches redline.
The only exterior cues to the car’s diesel engine are the dummy tailpipes (the exhaust is ducted somewhere else to avoid blackening the car’s body). There was no visible smoke or any exhaust smell, a credit to both the engine and Total’s diesel fuel, which was used for that day. The rest of the bodywork is subtle, from a decklid spoiler to an “S” badge. 19-inch wheels are at all four corners. The chromework of the front grille and the one-piece metal window surrounds show attention to detail that’s exceptional even in the luxury class.
Inside, it’s the traditional British leather and wood paneling, assembled with a very high degree of craftsmanship. The center console features metal trim and blue backlighting for a more modern touch, as well as the infamous erectile rotary gearshift. The car’s entertainment functions are accessible via a touchscreen panel. The atmosphere is more on the cozy and cocoon-like rather than airy. The high center console divides the front passenger space just like in a sports car. The sloping rear roofline doesn’t impede the headroom that much, but the large center tunnel does make the car a comfortable four-rather than five-seater. With space-saver spare, the trunk has a 500 liter volume.
As can be expected from a car with a cosseting ride, the XF leans a lot during hard cornering. Still, it’s a predictable few degrees that didn’t make us uncomfortable or lose any confidence throwing it around the racetrack’s turns. Brake dive too is well-controlled, with the car exhibiting good maneuverability even during emergency braking.
The XF Diesel S is an excellent contender in the luxury car arena, combining a beautifully designed and executed exterior with an interior that is traditional but doesn’t cross the line into stodgy. The chassis is world-class, and now there’s a world-beating engine as well. Design-wise, the XF is more a rival for the Mercedes CLS rather than say the E-Class or 5 Series. Asking price is P5,950,000, quite a hefty sum but not quite outrageous. Especially since there’s both an “S” on the trunk, and a “Diesel” sticker inside the fuel cap.
Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.
