It seems hard to believe, but Jaguar's XF executive saloon has been around for two years already - long enough for a mini range refresh, with the new 3.0-litre V6 Luxury now available for under £30K.And the more powerful Jaguar XF 3.0 V6 Diesel S, with 270bhp and a massive 440lb-ft of torque, gets XFR-like Dynamics and Aerodynamics packs as options.The former incorporates the Adaptive Dynamics system that analyses chassis movement and driver and wheel inputs 500 times every second and adjusts the suspension accordingly, while sharpening up the Jaguar's handling.The Aerodynamics pack adds some fairly subtly visual enhancements to the XF, a new black mesh grille and LED lights being most obvious.Inside, the XF is as sumptuous as ever, with the rotating vents and rising gear shifter never failing to impress. The interior is the car in a microcosm really: some typical Jaguar wood-and-leather opulence coupled with the gleaming hi-tech of the dials and multimedia screen.On the road the XF 3.0-litre V6 Diesel S, paired with a six-speed autobox that can be controlled with paddle shifters, feels elegant and calm - that damper tech really doing its job and giving a ride as calming as an Indian head massage. The XF feels languorous and quiet around town; diesel engine and autobox combining for a smooth and easy ride. it looks like a big car, but it doesn't feel like one.Take the Jaguar to the open road, flick a few dynamics switches and you have a completely new car to play with; an executive sports saloon that makes the most of its power and especially its vast sea of torque, courtesy of two largely undetectable turbochargers.Steering, accelerator and gear responses can be sharpened up significantly, and you can switch off much of the car's active safety kit if that's your bag. When it wakes up, the XF is a riot.You might think that the larger engine and high power and torque outputs have put a dent in fuel economy, but the XF V6 S can return over 40mpg combined, a figure that does not seem unachievable.There's plenty of room up front, and 540 litres in the boot, though rear passengers could fairly expect a little more leg- and headroom.The Jaguar XF 3.0 V6 Diesel S Premium Luxury weighs in at a not-inconsiderable £42,175 and either pack will cost north of a grand each, but the XF at this spec is rammed with kit.Rarely do dynamics settings and powertrain combine to give a car two such distinct characters, the engine really befits the new XF, the car that reinvented Jaguar almost overnight and continues to live up to the name. Jaguar XF 3.0 V6 Diesel SPrice: £42,175Power: 272bhp0-62mph: 5.9 secondsTop speed: 155mph (limited)Mileage: 42.0mpgCO2: 179g/kmDoors: FourSeats: FiveBoot space: 540 litresFor: Great 3.0-litre diesel engine offer performance and economy; good or bad driving manners depending on your preference, sumptuous interior.Against: Rear headroom and legroom could be better, high specs get expensive.
