It is this new diesel engine that also features in the new S-TYPE range with Jaguar Australia expecting to introduce the S-TYPE Diesel model in mid-2005.

Jaguar Australia's General Manager David Blackhall said the arrival of the twin-turbo AJD-V6 engine at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney signals Jaguar's entry into the Australian diesel market.

"For the first time, S-TYPE buyers will be able to choose diesel power as an alternative to the existing petrol engine options.

"The introduction of a state-of-the art diesel engine in the S-TYPE creates an attractive proposition for customers looking for the combination of luxury, performance, low emissions and a petrol alternative."

The addition of an advanced new 2.7 litre turbo diesel is not the only improvement in the new S-TYPE. Striking styling changes including a new rear-end design and a new aluminium bonnet, dynamic improvements, enhanced interior features and a wider choice of equipment, are among the highlights of a package of revisions first revealed at the 2004 Melbourne Motor Show. The petrol versions of the new S-TYPE are now on sale.

Embracing diesel in the new S-TYPE is a natural progression for Jaguar, with diesel engines now able to deliver the refined performance that customers of the marque demand. The all-new AJD-V6 is a superb example of a state-of-the-art diesel engine and complements perfectly the advanced technical attributes and sporting character of the S-TYPE.

The engine’s specifications make for impressive reading. The four-cam, 24-valve, twin-turbo V6 features the second generation common-rail direct injection and super-fast piezo-electric injector operation. Maximum power from the 2.7 litre engine is 153kw DIN, putting the S-TYPE ahead of all but one of its directly comparable rivals. Torque peaks at a heady 435Nm DIN, which is actually higher than that of the S-TYPE’s naturally aspirated 4.2 litre V8 petrol engine, yet the Diesel has 47 per cent better fuel consumption. More crucial still, 80 per cent of this torque is available from just 1500 rpm, all the way through to 4000 rpm.

This combination of substantial power and torque gives the new S-TYPE Diesel huge mid-range flexibility and refinement. True to Jaguar tradition, it is relaxed when cruising, yet pleasingly rapid cross-country - characteristics accentuated by the six-speed automatic transmission. The new S-TYPE Diesel offers very accomplished performance with the benchmark 0-100 kph sprint taking just 8.6 seconds, and the maximum speed is in excess of 227kph.

“Once again, the Jaguar Product Development team at Whitley has delivered an engine – and a car – that exceeds expectations. Our new V6 Diesel is a perfect complement to the existing S-TYPE petrol engines, with all the power, performance and refinement that Jaguar customers demand.”

Why diesel?

The diesel market in Europe has experienced consistent – and significant – growth over the past decade and, in recent years, demand has increased dramatically in the premium market. Diesel now accounts for one in three sales across the premium segment in Europe and by the end of next year, this is expected to have risen to 40 per cent. Australia lags Europe in the take-up of diesel technology but Blackhall believes that the uptake will come from the luxury end of the market as potential customers are drawn to the technological benefits of a diesel engine.

“The development team for this engine at Jaguar have made strong performance an inherent characteristic of the new V6 Diesel engine, but the accompanying levels of refinement are even more impressive – it will challenge many people's perceptions of diesel engines in Australia" said David Blackhall, General Manager, Jaguar Australia

In short, the new S-TYPE has a new diesel engine that provides exactly what Jaguar customers want: the best engine in the best car.

The new S-TYPE – What’s changed for 2004?

Whatever the engine choice, every version of the new S-TYPE benefits from the visual, dynamic, quality and specification improvements announced earlier this year.

“This car has a focal point and it’s clear what it is – the front grille and twin headlamps. But to make it work, everything around that focus has to be as simple as possible, and the extensive changes for 2004 are designed to achieve precisely that” said Ian Callum, Jaguar Director of Design.

The styling changes introduced across the range give the new S-TYPE a more athletic, more contemporary look, with cleaner and leaner lines and subtly revised proportions. The new shape remains highly individual and true to the Jaguar brand, but brings with it significant quality improvements, especially in tighter panel fits.

The car’s dynamics benefit from revisions such as sleeker aerodynamics and a lighter aluminium (rather than steel) bonnet that improves weight distribution and optimises handling balance.

The new front suspension and extensively revised rear suspension introduced in 2002 continues in the new S-TYPE with material and tuning improvements to provide even better body control. As such, the new S-TYPE continues to deliver the outstandingly supple ride, taut body control and agile handling that are the defining characteristics of Jaguar’s sporting chassis dynamics.

The all-new Diesel model is a logical and welcome addition to the new S-TYPE range. It complements perfectly the existing V6 and V8 models, offering S-TYPE customers the choice of diesel power without sacrifice.

"There are no compromises with the S-TYPE Diesel, it is simply a great car with outstanding performance and dynamic abilities but with Jaguar's trademark refinement and flexibility" said David Blackhall, General Manager, Jaguar Australia.

But perhaps most crucially, whether petrol or diesel, the new S-TYPE retains its unique Jaguar personality: a combination of bold, athletic styling, driver-focused performance, outstanding comfort and refinement, and unrivalled emotional appeal underpinned by outstanding driving dynamics.

Jaguar Australia expects to see the S-TYPE Diesel introduced into the Australian market mid-2005.