Jaguar's award-winning diesel engined S-Type is now on offer in Euro IV guise, reports Andy Enright
Hampshire Life - November's IssueJaguar's S-TYPE diesel took ages to arrive on the market but it's made quite an impact since it has. Now on offer in Euro IV guise, it's a car that no diesel-orientated Executive class buyer can afford to ignore. Developed as a joint venture between Ford and PSA Peugeot Citroen, the twin-turbo 2.7-litre AJD-V6 engine originally benefited from the considerable expertise of engineers at Jaguar's Whitley Engineering Centre, very much a finishing school for engines. Though 206bhp is on tap, what the Jaguar team really concentrated on with this car was offering the sort of hushed NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) package that buyers of petrol powered Jaguars have traditionally demanded and become accustomed to getting. In Euro IV guise, fuel consumption and CO2 figures have improved as a direct result of achieving the improved emissions status figures this car now offers. The combined fuel consumption for the 2.7D manual is 41.5mpg whilst the CO2 figure for the S-Type diesel manual saloon decreases from 189g/km to 179g/km. Peak power and torque of the S-TYPE 2.7 Diesel remain the same, but there are a number of modifications that have ensured compliance with the Stage IV emissions regulations. Additionally, a catalysed diesel particulate filter (CDPF) is fitted as standard, further reducing emissions.This engine can crank out a hefty 435Nm of torque, more than the 4.2-litre V8 Jaguar petrol unit, yet the diesel betters its consumption by a massive 47 per cent. Fuel economy on a leisurely cross country drive will sometimes exceed 50mpg. Performance is as strong as you'd expect from a 200bhp+ diesel engine, the sprint to 60 taking a smidgeon over eight seconds, and the maximum speed is comfortably in excess of 140mph.The S-Type's diesel engine is constructed from compacted graphite iron (CGI) to ensure outstanding strength, durability and above all low weight. Because less material is needed to build a CGI engine block, the engine can also be shorter. The result is that the 2.7-litre engine tips the scales at just 202kg - only 15kg more than the equivalent petrol V6.The latest round of revisions meant that all models received the sporty bumper and mesh grille from the S-Type R along with the six-speed automatic transmission, rear parking assist, leather seats and a leather steering wheel. Further showroom temptations include automatic dual-zone climate control with a combined odour and pollen filter, a 140-watt Hi-fi sound system, alloy wheels, front fog lamps and the usual complement of front and side airbags.Trim levels run from Spirit through XS to SE.If luxury is a great priority, then across the S-Type range, there's an optional voice-activated control system which enables you to given spoken commands to the climate control system, the stereo and the phone (which now has an integrated keypad). It also works on the satellite navigation system, which can respond to traffic congestion when calculating your route. Facts at a glanceCar: Jaguar S-Type 2.7 diesel Euro IV rangePrice: £30,005-£34,505 - on the roadInsurance group: 14ECO2 emissions: 179g/kmPerformance: 0-60mph 8.1s/ max speed 143mphFuel consumption: (combined) 41.5mpgStandard safety features: Twin front, side and curtain airbags, ABS, ARTSYou'll also like the little touches like the headlights which turn on automatically. Or the Smart Locking system which makes it impossible to lock your keys in the car. It's tough to find a significant chink in the armour of a car this good.
