Jaguar TDVI For Sale

HOMEROAD TESTSJAGUARJAGUAR XJ 2.7 TDVI SPORT PREMIUM JaguarDriven: Jaguar XKR 75Driven: The All-New Jaguar XJJaguar XFR: UK Drive Jaguar XFRJaguar XJ 2.7 TDVi Sport PremiumJaguar XK8Jaguar XJR SuperchargedJaguar XKRJaguar XJRRGC XKR400XJ13 ReplicaJaguar XKR Convertible Tuesday 3rd October 2006 JAGUAR XJ 2.7 TDVI SPORT PREMIUMWould you buy an oilburning luxo-barge? Manek Dubash tries it on for size. Jaguar XJ TDVi Premium Sport The big Jag's been with me as an idea all my life. I remember seeing the sleek shapes in the streets as a kid and enjoying the shape, the quietness of the 4.2-litre engines and luxuriousness of them. I've managed to drive a few since then too and, while not a driver's car by any means, these luxury saloons -- the last Jaguar in whose design founder Sir William Lyons had a hand -- do evoke a certain sense of English pomp and circumstance, heritage and continuity. And it's all about smoothness, quietness and isolation from the world. So when Jaguar released a diesel version of its aluminium-bodied flagship saloon, it seemed to fly in the face of everything that Jaguar once stood for. I just had to try it. Let's get the carping out of the way first. One criticism of Jaguar, which in its financial woes has thrashed about with faintly odd model selections, does hold water. It's simply the fact that key cars haven't changed. While Jaguar has aimed to maintain a sense of heritage -- the S-Type being the perfect example -- the big yin, the XJ, has also barely altered. And that's a bit of a problem since the opposition, in the form of the Mercedes S Class and the BMW 7-Series, certainly have. Even in this most conservative of market segments, they've bowed to the winds of change and incorporated shapes and curves that would have seemed anathema only 10 or 15 years ago. Beside them, many reckon that the Jaguar XJ is starting to look a little tired. Look: it's a diesel You can hardly distinguish it from its predecessors. And that's often a problem at this image-driven end of the market, since you want the opposition to know how well you and your company are doing. What better than to ride around in the latest version of a big executive saloon? Except that it's likely only die-hard Jag-spotters would know that it is the latest version, especially since you're likely to have your own plate on it. But if they got closer to it, they'd certainly know it's a diesel: it says so on the badge. The twin-turbocharged diesel car was first unveiled to an unsuspecting public about a year ago, some 38 years after the first XJ was launched, but only now have we been able to get hold of one -- it was a long queue. The 204bhp 2.7-litre Jaguar XJ TDVi that I drove is a bit of a technological tour de force. The attribute that most marks out an oilburner before you step into it is the clatter the engine makes. When you're outside the car, yes, you can tell it's a diesel -- just about. Once you're in it, though, you'd be hard pushed to identify it as such. Yes, the rev counter only runs up to 4,500rpm and, if you don't blink as you twist the key, you'll notice a quick flicker of a glow-plug light on the dash. That aside, you won't know it. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Add lightness At the heart of this car is Ford's Dagenham-produced Duratorq compacted graphite iron engine block. Land Rover uses a higher capacity version of this motor, tuned for more torque for towing and off-road work, so it has to be tough. According to Jaguar, the stuff it's made of better withstands the stronger pulses generated by the high compression diesel cycle than cast-iron. You need less material to build the block, making it lighter. And lightness is good, as any fule kno, as it makes for better fuel economy -- and in the case of diesels including this one, this improves handling. With less bulk in the nose of the car, understeer is less pronounced -- although understeer remains the XJ's natural response to a corner. But then, you don't buy an XJ to fling it around, even though it can handle itself fairly well in that department. No, what's important for this beast is that it should be as silent as possible, and not intrude on your mood when cruising. This the TDVi does very well. At an even cruise, you'd never know that there was a longitudinally-mounted 320lb-ft oilburner under that lengthy bonnet. Put your foot down, though, and a bit of unseemly grumbling from somewhere below stairs intrudes, as the small-geometry turbos quickly spool up to call on the high pressure common rail for some more of the smelly stuff and squirt it into the cylinders. Yes, it's a diesel. Performance Performance isn’t huge. It's the slowest of the XJ range, helped by the fact that, at 1,659kg, the aluminium-bodied saloon still weighs 120kg more than the closest petrol equivalent, the 3.0-litre V6. You'll get to 60mph in 7.8 seconds and on to a Vmax of 141mph. But that level of performance is about on a par with the similarly-priced BMW 730d, a natural competitor -- and I reckon the Jag's a better looking machine too. But there's still no clattering, and certainly no vibration, thanks to the vast amounts of soundproofing, which uses high acoustic absorption on the underside of the bonnet, airtight seals between the bonnet and engine compartment and a new double-skin bulkhead structure. Allied to the active engine mounting system, dubbed Vibramount, which Jaguar reckons kills 90 per cent of engine vibrations, and acoustic laminated glass, it all works to keep the nasty outside world at bay. And the automatic gearbox's six ratios and shift system have been superbly chosen in that you don't notice gearshifts unless you look for them. Options and toys include a Bluetooth phone, electric everything, satnav, powered headrest and very comfy, 16-way electrically adjustable seats, plus acres of wood and chrome. Given the luxury and level of quality that buyers of executive saloons demand, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better car -- or even a more economical motorway cruiser -- at this price level. Ointment There's only one fly in the ointment however. Just how important is economy when you're spending £51,020 on a car? Yes, it sips at the hard stuff from its 85-litre tank -- Jaguar claims 35mpg, while the petrol version gets 27mpg -- but if economy's that big an issue, you might be better off with a cheaper car to start with. That said, there are precious few compromises with the TDVi -- apart from the possible embarrassment of pulling up to the pump with the black handle, and either donning gloves or having to wash afterwards. Is it a PHer's car though? If your driving takes you cruising for mile after mile, the technology embedded in this car will keep you abstracted from hoi polloi, and make you feel good about yourself and what you're driving -- so yes. Just don't expect it to thank you for flinging it around the twisties.... Pictures by Manek Dubash 38 comments on this storyLatest comment by NormanD Term & Conditions Hosted by Carrenza Copyright © 1998-2010 PistonHeads.com ® Speed Matters ® || skip to main menu skip to search Jaguar XJ TDVi Executive 2.7 Reviews Watch this item Average rating for this product is: 2.9 out of 5 From 0 ratings and 6 reviews 50% of users recommend this product Overview Reviews Write a review Ask a Question Average Ratings for Jaguar XJ TDVi Executive 2.7 Performance Practicality Reliability Value for Money Overall rating 6 Reviews For Jaguar XJ TDVi Executive 2.7 Guest 3rd Jun 2010 Reviewer rating: Guest's review has yet to be rated - Be the first! Report this review Jaguar XJ6 TDVi: A quiet and comfortable diesel-powered luxury car made in Britain! Economical 29 - 42 mpg, cruises silently at 70+ mph with plenty of power in reserve. In comparison with an earlier XJ8 Sport 3.2-litre the TDVi has much better pick-up from low revs and rarely needs to be taken over 3000rpm whereas the XJ8 needed to be revved hard for similar performance. This car was a steal in October 2008 at under £20,000 used, with only 12,000 recorded miles, from a main dealer. However main dealer servicing costs and minor repair costs are very high, even higher that for BMW. Do yourself a favour if you buy one: find an independent garage to look after it for you and save! Otherwise you will not be disappointed, it does everything Jaguar says it does. Read Guest's full review and ratings (130 words) Top Cat 25th Oct 2006 Reviewer rating: Top Cat's review has yet to be rated - Be the first! Report this review I leased the Jaguar XJ TDVi Executive 2.7 at the end of April 2006 under a 3 year PCP (having driven BMW 3 series, Mercedes C Class and E Class previously - all of which were 100% reliable and fault free). The overall package price of the XJ was very attractive but the poor reliability to date has really taken the shine off the Jaguar ownership experience. I've also been very disappointed at the support provided - PDI was incomplete and the service booklet not completed, parts have frequently be ... Read Top Cat's review (714 words) chaslads 22nd Sep 2006 Reviewer rating: chaslads's review has yet to be rated - Be the first! Report this review I drive a couple of cars, Bentley gt, Ferrari 430 spider and a Range Rover. I bought the Jaguar XJ TDVi Executive 2.7 for business reasons only, drove it a week before the accident but it was on the button each and every time. It's economical to run and comfortable. Pound for pound a splendid car! A guy ran into the back of it and I am amazed how well the Jag stood up to the impact, the other car right off but no one was hurt. Read chaslads's review (85 words) Dean Bailey 19th Sep 2006 Reviewer rating: On average, people found this review very helpful Report this review I have leased this Jaguar XJ TDVi Executive 2.7 via Lombard's. I have rejected the vehicle back to Lombard's and they have asked me to return the car back to Jaguar for them to check over the issues at hand. I have always wanted a Jaguar and have driven every luxury car on the market and I can confirm that if the reliability was there, this would be one of the best cars I have driven. Read Dean Bailey's review (156 words) dissatisfied 5th Mar 2006 Reviewer rating: On average, people found this review very helpful Report this review I took delivery in December 2005 of a TDVi Sovereign (2006 model year). It has been back to the dealer 4 times for a total of 47 days and is still there. It is the worst new car I have ever had. Read dissatisfied's review (38 words) Hank 18th Jan 2006 Reviewer rating: Hank's review has yet to be rated - Be the first! Report this review My Jaguar XJ TDVi Executive 2.7 is one of my few possessions that has so far not received a Review Centre review! That's about to change as I feel it's about time I reviewed the XJ. The XJ TDVi is my first experience of a Jaguar and the famous brand has not left me dissatisified. Far from it in fact, I would actually go as far to say that this is the best car I have ever owned. Here's my reasoning: The Pro's: - Amazing Fuel Economy for an executive car. - A level of performance that has sur ... 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But the newest collection does - and it really purrs, says John Simister Tuesday, 5 July 2005 Share Close Digg del.icio.us Facebook Reddit Google Stumble Upon Fark Newsvine YahooBuzz Bebo Twitter Independent Minds Print Email SPECIFICATIONS Model: Jaguar XJ6 TDVi Price: Models start at £43,995 Engine: 2,722cc, V6 cylinders, 24 valves, twin-turbo diesel, 207bhp at 4,000rpm, 321 lb ft at 1,900 rpm Transmission: six-speed automatic gearbox, rear- wheel drive Performance: 141mph, 0 to 60mph in 7.8 seconds, 35,0mpg official average CO2: 214g/km We live in interesting times. During the last year, Jaguar has sold more diesel cars in the UK than petrol cars. Jaguar - yes, Jaguar, which has never made anything utilitarian in its life - now has a diesel majority. It has also massively increased its total sales of late, precisely because the X-type and the S-type have been made available with excellent diesel engines, and mainland European buyers, even more than British ones, have leapt on that fact. But a crucial gap has remained: no diesel for the biggest, most prestigious Jaguar saloons, the XJs.Despite that omission, in the UK the XJ has still outsold all its luxury-car rivals - cars like the Mercedes-Benz S-class, the Audi A8, the BMW 7-series. But clearly there have been sales opportunities missed through the lack of a diesel. And that is something Jaguar has known for a long time: I remember a visit to the company's Whitley engineering centre, near Coventry, in the early 1990s, just as the final incarnation of the previous XJ range, known as X300, was being readied for sale.I was handed a pair of headphones and asked to identify an engine sound, recorded from a test prototype. "It's a six-cylinder," I said, "but it sounds different. It wouldn't be a..." "A diesel? Exactly," replied the engineer. "We know we need one, but we can't afford to develop our own so we're trying a BMW unit."It came to nothing, but collaboration has indeed proved the solution. The X-type diesel is an improved version of Ford's Mondeo unit (and is now available in 2.2-litre as well as entry-level 2.0-litre versions), while the S-type diesel uses a twin-turbo V6, which is built in Ford's Dagenham factory to a design jointly developed by Ford and Peugeot. A single-turbo version powers the Land Rover Discovery to good effect.And it's the twin-turbo unit, with 207bhp and 321lb ft of torque, which propels the new Jaguar XJ6 TDVi. You might think that the XJ would be upstaged by the diesel S-type, which is smaller and presumably more rapid as a result. But you'd reckon without the XJ's lightweight aluminium construction, which makes this bigger car lighter than the S-type. So honour is upheld. It also matters little that the XJ's engine is smaller than those of its rivals, as its outputs are sufficient for competitive pace and its fuel economy, and emissions, are the best in the class.This is all very fine, but the notion of a diesel XJ, a rattly engine in a car known for its refinement, still seems all wrong. But clever things can be done with acoustics and electronics nowadays, and this XJ is the proof. Stand outside when it's idling and you would barely know a diesel lurks within; there's just a metallic edge to an otherwise typical V6 hum. Highly sound-absorbent foam under the bonnet and airtight seals between bonnet and engine compartment are the killer tricks here.Inside, there's similar tranquillity. The bulkhead between engine and occupants is double-skinned, and all the glass is laminated with an acoustically absorbent interlayer. The killer feature, though, is the "active" control of the engine mountings, a first in Europe.Engine mountings filled with silicone fluid are not new, and are a good way of tailoring the mounting to absorb particular vibration frequencies. But the Jaguar mountings go a stage further, by using a solenoid-controlled diaphragm inside the mount to expand or contract the fluid space inside the mountings, many times a second, in tune with the engine's vibrations.The result is that the vibration is soaked up before it gets to the XJ6's structure, and the occupants feel nothing. When driving, the only clue that this is a diesel engine is a slight metallic ticking at about 3,000rpm. What you're actually hearing is the last vestige of diesel combustion noise, but of clatter and "cackle" there are no traces.So this is as quiet a Jaguar as any. It's also a rapid Jaguar, able to accelerate just as quickly as the 3.0-litre petrol XJ6, and almost able to match it for top speed. Yet it can average 35mpg, against 27mpg for that petrol version. It's also a more pleasing engine to drive behind, because it pulls very strongly across its speed range and is matched to an excellent ZF six-speed automatic. This shifts gears with no vague, power-sapping slurring, and it's always smooth.This diesel engine, now calibrated to Euro 4 emission standards and fitted with a maintenance-free particle filter so you never see any smoke, is quite a light unit. This makes the XJ feel wonderfully agile. The example I tried was a Sport Premium - there is also a luxury Sovereign for the same price (£49,995), plus a cheaper Executive at £43,995 - which has firmer suspension and fatter, lower-profile tyres, but still it rides with typical Jaguar serenity even though it grips hard, has a beautifully natural balance and steering with excellent accuracy and firm weighting. I've never enjoyed a big, luxury saloon more on challenging roads.For me, this Sport Premium version is definitely the one to have. The current XJ range has justifiably drawn criticism for its obviously retro looks, and it's true that unless you see them together, it's far from obvious whether you're looking at the current car or the old one. But there's a tidier, cleaner, purer look, achieved by simple actions such as deleting the side rubbing strakes and depriving the windscreen and rear window of their finishing strips.Combine that with the Sport Premium's lack of chrome and its mesh front grille, and suddenly the shape looks classically clean rather than steeped in sepia. Inside, too, the Sport Premium abandons its wood-trimmed past in favour of embossed aluminium and dark trim colours. The effect is to create a car of today, not a revitalised relic.So there it is. The best and most cleverly conceived Jaguar of all is powered by a diesel engine. And it is probably, overall, the best luxury car you can buy. Interesting times indeed.The rivalsAUDI A8 3.0 TDI QUATTRO £48,365 Four-wheel drive is a benefit in poor weather, and the A8 shares Jaguar's weight advantage thanks to aluminium construction. It looks ultra-modern, and is beautifully built, but lacks Jaguar's serenity and ultimate comfort.BMW 730d £47,505 Just as we got used to the weird looks of the 7-series, BMW promptly restyled it to calm down the oddness, and in doing so they took away some of its character. Infamous for bringing us iDrive, the 7-series is still a roomy car with pace and poise to match the price-tag.MERCEDES-BENZ S320 CDI £50,965 Up to now this has been the best luxury-car all-rounder of all, and it still looks classically beautiful. Across Europe it's the best seller in the class, so it will be interesting to see how the imminent new one fares. It's not handsome. 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Article Archive Day In a Page Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat Select date Day Month Year Submit Sponsored Links Query: Independent.co.uk The Web Go ©independent.co.uk Terms & Policies | Email newsletter | RSS | Contact us | Syndication | Advertising Guide | London Careers | Subscriptions | Jobs || || You are here: Used Car Expert > Jaguar > Jaguar XJ > Advice > Jaguar Xj Tdvi Executive - Car Review You are not logged in. Log-In Used Jaguar XJ Used Jaguar XJ Fault GuideUsed Jaguar XJ Price GuideJaguar XJ Running CostsJaguar XJ Car ReviewsJaguar XJ AdviceJaguar XJ Facts & StatsJaguar XJ Cars for Sale Jaguar XJ Car LoansJaguar XJ Car Insurance Services Data checks Used car warranty Car tyre deals Cheap car insurance Car loans Free Advice Insurance savings Reviews & advice Video reviews Used approved Columnists M.O.T. checklist What oil? Depreciation Running costs When & where to buy What to buy How to haggle & win Scandal: cut & shut Scandal: clocking Car repair disputes Buy & sell disputes Car insurance valuation disputes Other Experts Used Van Expert Car Warranty Comparison - Warranty Expert Useful sites Free content on your site Jaguar XJ TDVi Executive - Car Review Review Added: 05 May 2006 Last update: 25 Dec 2009 JAGUAR took an inordinately long time to get a diesel engine beneath the bonnet of its executive XJ saloon but it was worth the wait.It may not be the best in class in any particular discipline but it is competent enough and for Jaguar lovers it is an exceedingly welcome addition.The 2.7-litre V6 twin turbo oil-burning unit is the same as that of the smaller S-Type, which may trick you into thinking it will be slow and lumbering.However, the aluminium-bodied XJ weighs less than the smallest X-Type despite its generous dimensions so the 204bhp diesel engine copes well.There is 320lb/ft of pulling power, which endows the Big Cat with acceleration from rest to 62mph in just over eight seconds, whilst it purrs along at cruising speeds of up to 141mph.The all-important economy average is 35mpg and the company car tax liability is 32 per cent, which could be worse.There are three trim and equipment levels with prices ranging from £44,000 to £50,000 and depreciation rates of about 50 per cent over three years.Alternatives include the Mercedes 320CDI, which is a match for the Jag on all counts and although it costs slightly more it holds its value better so is just as good a long-term bet.It is a similar story with the Audi A8 and BMW 7 Series so the Jaguar has its work cut out.Not surprisingly then there are handsome discounts to be had, averaging between £4,000 and £6,000 depending upon the model chosen, which is also true of its German rivals.Jaguar invested an incredible £1 billion in the development of the current XJ range.It is significantly longer, wider and taller than the previous car and most importantly has an increased wheelbase.This is the distance between the front and rear wheels, which determines interior room for occupants and was the previous car's greatest shortcoming.The quality of materials for the interior has been improved, and the fit of the body panels and trim is now impeccable.Jaguar says that its declared intention was to create a better car than the Mercedes S-Class and parent company Ford was prepared to invest whatever was necessary to achieve it.In addition to the diesel there are two petrol options - a 4.2-litre V8 and a three-litre V6 with each mated to the same six-speed automatic transmission as that of the S-Type.It would be inappropriate to conclude that the Jaguar is the best saloon model in the executive class because most of its German rivals do what it does just as well.However, for Jaguar aficionados it is a highly desirable addition to the XJ range and those who opt for it will not be disappointed.FAST FACTSJaguar XJ6 TDVi ExecutivePrice: £44,020Mechanical: 204bhp, 2,722cc, 6cyl diesel engine driving rear wheels via 6spd automatic gearboxMax speed: 141mph0-62mph: 8.2 secsCombined mpg: 35Insurance group: 16CO2 emissions: 214g/kmBiK rating: 32%Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited mileage; 3yrs paint; 6yrs anti-rust Words: Steve Hughes Keywords: jaguar, xj Rate this article: Login to rate this article... 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