· Bi-turbo, common-rail V6 diesel
· 230bhp
· ...and a massive 500Nm of torque

BRITISH JAGUAR HAS just unveiled the cool R-D6 concept car. The R-D6 concept signals a dynamic future for the Jaguar marque, true to its core values of providing sporting dynamic luxury.

Of course Jaguar is very proud of the car – and a lot of Jag spokesmen gives statements to the concept. Just listen:

“The car is the closest thing we will ever create to something that is alive,” says Sir William Lyons founder of Jaguar Cars.

“Jaguar today has the same passion and emotion about designing and engineering beautiful fast cars that it has always had. It is something we will never lose,” explaines Bob Dover Chairman and CEO, Jaguar Cars. And he goes on: ”Every day we make decisions. We choose the rational – following our head – or the emotional – following our heart. The real trick, though, is to balance the two and so get the best of both worlds. This is something that Jaguar understands in a way that few other car companies do.”

“With R-D6 we set out to create a concept car which would build on the R-Coupe and further develop Jaguar’s new design direction. We also wanted to showcase the latest technology in lightweight vehicle structures and our potent new bi-turbo, common-rail V6 diesel,” Mike Wright Managing Director, Jaguar Cars says.

OBSERVERS WILL POINT to ‘classic’ Jaguar design cues – such as the grille – on R-D6, but it is important to realise that such features are there not because they commemorate Jaguar’s past, but because they are intrinsically ‘right’ for a thoroughly modern Jaguar.

And it’s the engine that will surprise many people – although, when you think about it, a high-performance 2.7-litre diesel engine makes perfect sense. Confirming Jaguar as a potent new force in the world of large-capacity diesels, the bi-turbo V6 is a tuned version of the engine that will make its debut in the S-TYPE in 2004. With horsepower in excess of 230bhp and a massive 500Nm of torque, the V6 diesel engine endows R-D6 with the pace to satisfy its looks and R-Performance rating.

Acceleration from standstill to the benchmark 60mph takes less than six seconds. Top speed is an electronically limited 155mph.