Jag XJ gets a diesel heart
2.7-litre oil-burner completes the all-model conversion
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Jaguar has shoehorned a diesel engine under the bonnet of its elegant, aluminium-bodied XJ cruiser -- and introduced a few clever tweaks to help. The introduction of the 2.7 litre twin-turbo Diesel to the XJ range is significant because it means Jaguar now offers a diesel alternative across its entire saloon range.
Producing just over 20bhp, a diesel-powered XJ saloon will accelerate to 60mph in 7.8 seconds, while 320lb-ft of torque is available virtually throughout the powerband. Other features at the heart of the engine provide the capability to deliver high performance and excellent durability.
Cast aluminium pistons incorporate ‘double wave-gallery’ cooling. In this process, oil is sprayed precisely onto the inside of the pistons from jets in the block. The oil then flows through two internal wave-shaped channels to help cool each piston crown. This arrangement also has the indirect benefit of reducing piston ‘slap’ noise.
Management of the engine’s noise characteristics has focused particularly on injector tick and combustion noise, which is controlled through the use of next-generation common rail technology, including multiple-point injection and closed-loop injection control, which ensure that the combustion is smooth under all operating conditions.
The fuel quantity provided by each injector is controlled by a piezo actuator, which enables highly accurate fuel metering of up to five injections per cycle. These features provide an extremely fine spray of diesel fuel, which ensures the most uniform fuel-air mixture possible, resulting in a more complete combustion process. As a result, the diesel engine is able to achieve both high power and the desired emissions capability.
Jaguar said that the diesel-powered XJ will return an average fuel consumption figure of 35mpg and low CO2 emissions, resulting in a best-in-class 29 per cent BIK tax category rating in its segment. With the addition of a catalysed diesel particulate filter, the V6 engine exceeds Euro Stage IV emissions requirements.
Also, for the first time on all XJ models, as part of Jaguar's tweaks for 2006, acoustic laminated glass minimises external noise while the 2.7 TDVi XJ also sets an industry first, being the first car in its class to feature electronically controlled active engine mounts, which cancel 90 per cent of engine vibration at idle. The result, claimed Jaguar, is a car that offers best-in-class refinement.
The 2006 XJ range also features a host of new features that are included as standard on all models. Subtle changes to the exterior trim of the car give it an even more contemporary feel while a range of driver aids such as the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Automatic Speed Limiter and Bluetooth wireless connectivity make for an even safer and more relaxed environment.
Jaguar didn't tell us how much the car would cost, however...
Not long after I graduated, I even went for an interview with Jaguar at their engineering centre in Coventry. No job ever came of it, but it was good to get a tour around the place.
Now here I am stuck in IT and wish I was back doing some proper engineering.....
BTW, I assume the engine output is 220bhp, not 20!!!
I don't know what they're up to with the baggy leather (see photo) it looks absolutely awful up close.
thanuk said:
I've just seen this at the Canary Wharf show. They're encouraging you to start the engine and blip it to see how quiet and smooth it is. It's hugely impressive, it's close to silent and there's no vibration at all.
I saw it at MotorExpo too - I did a little more than 'blip' the throttle when invited to by the PR (that troublesome heavy right foot of mine!) - still v.impressed with the refinement.....
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