WHEN Jaguar went down the diesel path with its X-Type many traditionalists thought the luxury car maker was making a big mistake. They have been proved wrong.
The oil-burner has piled on thousands of additional sales for Jaguar with punters recognising the lower running costs it provides and realising that today's diesel engine isn't the noisy, smelly lump it used to be.
The move to diesel continued earlier this year with the introduction of the S-Type fitted with an all-new V6 2.7-litre power unit. It uses the latest in common rail technology and is given added oomph by twin turbochargers.
When introduced it was hailed by the vast majority of motoring hacks as one of the best oil-burners ever created.
On its initial press launch I was stunned by its quietness, power and refinement. Now, after a week behind the wheel of one, I can only repeat the praise.
The unbadged S-Type was delivered to the office without a press pack and I honestly thought I was driving a petrol powered Jag on the way home.
Just to make sure I hadn't been sent the wrong model I had to check the size of the fuel filler opening to confirm it was, indeed, designed for diesel. I kid you not. It's that good.
The V6 unit produces 206bhp and it can pump out more power than Jaguar's 4.2-litre petrol V8 engine. And you don't have to wind the engine up to high revs to get performance. The pulling power comes in as low as 1,500 revs.
Top speed is 143mph with a 0-60 coming up in 8.1 seconds which is achieved with silky smoothness.
Safe overtaking is a piece of cake. There's so much power there. Just plant you right foot and lesser motors disappear in the rear view mirror.
And it's good news at the pumps. In the manual version, you can expect to get 40mpg, with 36 from the five-speed auto.
In spite of the higher mpg figure, I would go for the automatic. I found the gear change on the manual a tad notchy and on a couple of occasions selected reverse instead of first. Not something to be recommended in a traffic queue.
As expected the whole package offered on the S-Type is so comprehensive it is almost pointless to list what you get for your money.
But some high tech features including an electronic parking brake, electrically adjustable steering wheel and foot pedals are standard, with options including parking radar, adaptive cruise control and a full communications suite comprising satellite navigation and integrated telephone.
Everything is up to Jaguar's excellent quality standard which in recent years has been second to none. This is one of my favourite Jaguars which takes the fight to its main diesel competitors Mercedes and BMW.
Diesels are here to stay with Jaguar. I wonder how long it will be before we see the XJ with a diesel under its sleek bonnet? It's bound to come.
FAST FACTS
Jaguar S-Type 2.7D V6
Price: £27,670
Mechanical: 206bhp, 2,720cc, 6cyl diesel engine driving rear wheels via 6-spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 143mph
0-62mph: 8.5 secs
Combined mpg: 40
Insurance group: 14
CO2 emissions: 189g/km
BiK rating: 26%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 3yrs paint; 6yrs anti-rust