KEY POINTS:
The TDV6 will never be regarded as a "hero" model in the Jaguar XF range - there are too many high-revving V6 and V8 versions around for a diesel-powered model to grab the limelight.
But there's every reason to argue for the TDV6 being the best XF on sale. It's not merely down to value, although it is the cheapest version in the line-up at $114,900.
It's the same price as the petrol V6 in fact, and diesels are more expensive to make.
Maybe that's because the Ford/PSA alliance that created the XF's 2.7-litre twin-turbo diesel has reduced the costs so quickly.
This engine is used in countless marques from Jaguar, Ford, Peugeot and Citroen. And it's a beauty - it doesn't produce huge power, but it's ultra-refined and relaxed low-down in the rev range.
It's so good you wouldn't even bother with the petrol V6, which is slower to 100km/h, drinks an extra two litres of fuel per 100km and has 142Nm less torque. Ditto for the regular 4.2-litre V8 version - it's not as enjoyable to rive and still produces less pulling power than the diesel.
No, the TDV6 does have the violent performance and top-line equipment of the XF SV8.
But it doesn't cost $170k either, and the effortless performance of the diesel suits the car a bit better than the whirring madhouse that is Jaguar's supercharged V8 powerplant.
Plus you still get the novel features that people (not me, admittedly) seem to like so much about the XF - the rising/falling rotary gear selector, motion-sensitive interior lights and Bluetooth phone.
The XF TDV6 costs nearly twice as much as the old-school X-Type 2.2D featured last week but it's at least twice as good.
