So here’s Jaguar’s latest proposition – a diesel-powered XF at a mouth-watering price. The best part is the fact that they haven’t fiddled with any of the goodies to make it cheaper.

It’s fairly difficult to figure that the XF is running on diesel at low speeds with the auto ’box slotted into ‘D’. The revs rise and fall with every gear change without the slightest hesitation and the 3-litre V6 diesel goes about its job without being audible or letting any vibrations through into the cabin. Even the suspension is surprisingly pliant and quiet as the XF navigates its way through potholes.

Shift the gear selector to ‘S’ mode and watch the speedo climb at an amazing rate. Hundred comes up before you can exhale in about seven seconds, and given a reasonable stretch of road you might even max out at the electronically limited 250kph top speed.

By the end of the day, the XF diesel was quickly becoming an absolute favourite with its sleek style, refined and massively powerful engine and of course great handling. It did not do too badly at the pumps either, returning an average of 7.8kpl after a day of some bad treatment.

Tags: xf, jaguar