The famous British carmaker has has unveiled its new, most fuel efficient engine to date in the form of a 2.2-liter diesel that develops in the region of 190 horsepower and is capable of returning 52.3 mpg (UK standard) on the combined cycle while emitting 149 g/km of CO2.
Well, this new 4-cylinder, 16-valve 2.2-litre common rail diesel unit aims to redress the balance and arm the XF with the final tax-dodging weaponry it needs to complete its already rather impressive executive car arsenal of looks, handling and generous stylish spec. With this new engine the XF line-up will be complete, and just in time for a refreshing April 2011 facelift.
The 188bhp motor makes a decent dollop of torque at 332lb ft and returns a respectable 52.3mpg; all for the tailpipe-price of 149g/km of the dreaded carbon dioxide. At 149g/km, the new dark-oil-Jag will slip into the 22 per cent company car tax bracket, which is roughly on a par with its rivals.
The transmission gets the thumbs-up, too. Despite giving a choice of eight gears, it shuffles the ratios so softly you barely notice it at work. You can take control with the steering wheel-mounted paddles yourself, but the box kicks down extremely swiftly and changes right on the red line, so there’s little point. On the motorway, that long eighth gear results in hushed progress as well. Come to a halt and the stop-start shuts the engine down almost immediately. There can be a slight shudder as you release the brake and the diesel restarts, but it fires up very quickly indeed.
