by David Morgan (11 May 05)

The new generation diesel technology which delivered the efficient 2.7-litre V6 twin turbo in Jaguar's born-again S-Type in 2004 is about to create a big brother.

Jaguar engineers are believed to be close to unveiling a "V6+2" version on the superb new TD - a V8 based on the same compact V6 block design which will give bigger models in the range the kind of hitting power of Audi's V8 TDI.

This autumn, the current XJ flagship gains the 2.7-litre V6TD engine already used in the latest S-Type and Land Rover's new Discovery and Range Rover Sport. But there are strong indications that this is just the first taste of diesel power for the alloy-bodied XJ.

The promise of a new Ford-funded V8 turbodiesel for the XJ saloon and certain Land Rover products is all the more likely because Land Rover's current 174bhp six-cylinder TD6 is getting long in the tooth. By the end of 2006 it will be unable to achieve stringent new emission levels. That means the search is on for a new turbodiesel heart for the flagship Range Rover and its Sport running mate.

Although the twin-turbo 206bhp 2.7TD in the S-Type and the 193bhp single turbocharged 2.7TDV6 in Discovery are well-suited to their tasks, there's no denying the market needs a Jaguar/Land Rover TDV8 for prestige XJ models, Ranger Rover and the Sport.

On paper it looks as if it could be a compact, short-block eight-cylinder 3.6-litre unit with twin turbos and a power output in excess of 260bhp - light in weight, clean and delivering stunning torque with great economy.

Although neither Jaguar nor Land Rover are saying anything official about the existence of a V8TD, there's little doubt development work is well advanced and an Audi V8 TDI challenge is just around the corner from both premium British badges.

A Jaguar engineer at the S-Type launch in Monaco last April hinted at the feasibility of "tacking on" a pair of extra cylinders to the compact, stiff and lightweight TDV6.

"The block lends itself to expansion to V8 configuration," he told me. "We're very pleased with the V6TD, but there's more in that block and the technology advances we are making make it fairly obvious a V8 is the way to go."

More than a year on it looks as if Jaguar and Land Rover are almost there. The lightweight aluminium-bodied XJ saloon will no doubt perform well enough with the V6TD - but a V8TD will have more power, more torque and, more importantly, more charisma in a market where a V8 means a lot more than a V6.

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