A couple of months back, Jaguar introduced not one but two new diesel engines for the excellent XF. Well, it’s one engine, but two different power outputs of 240 and 271PS from the 3.0-litre diesel. This is our first chance to sample the lower-powered version that’s expected to take around two-thirds of volume.
Emissions and economy are the same for both at 179g/km and 42.0mpg, but the differences are a 0-62mph time of 5.8 versus 6.8seconds and, more importantly, a £3000 P11D gap that equates back to a saving of 4.2p per mile for the company (at 73.4p) and £26 per month on the higher-rate taxpayer’s monthly BIK contribution.
So the question arises – is it worth saving the extra cash, sacrificing a bit of performance and sticking with the less expensive version?
In most situations, it’s pretty difficult to tell you’re missing out on 31PS, with the XF plenty punchy enough away from a standstill. Only when accelerating up a motorway sliproad did it feel like some more power would have been appreciated.
Otherwise, the XF is well-kitted, classy and good-to-drive executive model hampered only by the fact that, like its 3.0-litre German rivals, it comes in over the 160g/km capital allowance tipping point.
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