by David Morgan (30 Jun 05)

Jaguar is taking the luxury diesel car market by stealth. Its two-year old alloy-bodied XJ saloon is already established as a credible alternative to Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7-Series and Audi A8, and from September the first turbodiesel model is set to bring the battle to a head.

Three models are available from £43,995 for an Executive rising to £49,995 for the range-leading Sport Premium and Sovereign. But the big news at the TDVi's international launch in Portugal was a five-year or 50,000 mile free servicing package for all XJs. It was an unexpected launch bonus which will shake up the XJ's rivals.

The new 2.7 litre V6 twin-turbo TDVi is a stroke of genius. Compact, quiet, clean and light, it is has been powering the XJ's little sister S-Type since last summer and, in single-turbo guise, helping the new Land Rover Discovery 3 achieve big sales since late last year.

I'm convinced the 204bhp alloy-blocked engine with its 320lb/ft of torque is the finest of its type. At idle outside the car it is obviously a diesel but climb inside the rear-drive XJ and it is whisper-quiet at all speeds. Pick up and acceleration through the six-speed automatic with its J-Gate selector is not just smooth, it's quick. Rest to 62mph comes up in 8.2 seconds; overtaking is effortless and top speed is an eerily quiet 141mph.

Jaguar engineers have worked wonders making the Dagenham-built lightweight turbodiesel and aluminium-bodied XJ serenely silent on the move. Their comprehensive solution involves the first British application of acoustic side glazing where the door windows have plastic film sandwiched between sheets of glass. It delivers a significant 7dB reduction is noise transmission which cuts wind rush past the pillars and door mirrors to a mere whisper. I opened the windows at 80mph and was deafened by the roar - the acoustic glass may be something of a gimmick but it works as a sound solution to slipstream noise.

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