2015 Jaguar XF revealed - best-in-class residual values claimed

Jaguar also says the structure is nearly 30% stiffer than that of the current car.

Hoban said: "The way it drives is really the USP of the car. We start in a great place as the XF is already the driver's choice in the segment. We've managed to take it on another level with the comfort and refinement now. It starts by making the body stiff, which allows you to get it agile and stiff. Then you can tune it t be comfortable and plush as well. There's nothing to hide with a lack of stiffness in the body."

Improvements in the economic viability of parts and tooling for carbonfibre could see it become a construction tool for architectures in the future, according to Hoban, who added that it currently only makes financial sense for manufacturers to build around 3000 units of a particular vehicle at present.

The XF shares its suspension set-up with the XE, which means struts with double wishbones at the front and an ‘integral link’ independent set-up at the rear.

The steering uses the same electric power-assisted set-up as the Jaguar Jaguar F-Type and XE, while active dampers will be on the options list; a feature called Jaguar Configurable Dynamics will allow the driver to tailor the settings of the dampers, steering, engine and eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Jaguar is also introducing All-Surface Progress Control which, it says, has been developed “for low-speed driving in adverse conditions”. This system automatically “manages the brakes and throttle” to maximise traction on, for example, surfaces covered with snow. The driver simply steers the vehicle.

Although the new XF is 7mm shorter and 3mm lower than the current model, the wheelbase is 51mm longer.

At a lengthy 2960mm, it’s only a whisker shorter than that of the BMW 5 Series. The British car maker is promising “class-leading rear-seat space, with more leg room, knee room and head room” - it says it has 3mm more rear leg room than the 5 Series, for example.

A feast of new technology means that the new XF range kicks off with CO2 emissions as low as 104g/km, which are delivered by the most frugal 161bhp, 280lb ft, 2.0-litre diesel Ingenium engine.

Jaguar says this is the lowest CO2 figure in the class for any non-hybrid vehicle. It’s well down on today’s BMW 518d, which has an official rating of 114g/km, as well as a lower-powered, 141bhp engine.

The company says there will also be a 178bhp, 317lb ft, 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel XF. Both of these engines can be combined with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Jaguar says that the eight-speed auto ‘box was chosen over a nine-speed as it offers the best calibration. A nine-speed would have efficiency benefits, but the eight-speed offers a better torque spread.

At the top of the diesel range is a tweaked version of the familiar twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6, which offers 296bhp and 516lb ft of torque.

The only petrol-engined version that Jaguar has so far released details about is the supercharged petrol V6, which develops 375bhp and 332lb ft of torque.

Inside, the XF has a completely different design language from Jaguar ’s XJ flagship. Rather than the XJ’s flamboyant circular vents and much more extravagant detailing, the new XF has a rather more contemporary and sparse appearance inside.

The centre console is notably wide, with plenty of storage space, and the interior detailing - both the brightwork and wood trim — is given a very lean and taut treatment. The XF gets the familiar pop-up rotary controller for the automatic gearbox selector and the outer air vents roll open when the car is started.

The new XF comes with a big, 10.2in ‘dual-view’ smartphone-like touchscreen and JLR’s latest multimedia system, known as InControl Touch Pro. The main instruments are displayed on a 12.3in TFT panel, which can be reconfigured.

Jaguar will offer the new XF in Prestige, R-Sport, Portfolio and S specifications. Top-end S models get Jaguar’s Configurable Dynamics system, which allows drivers to adjust the dampers, steering, engine and transmission settings to suit their driving style.

Other options include Jaguar’s All Surface Progress control system, as well as a laser head-up display, adaptive cruise control and LED headlights. All-wheel drive will not be offered in the UK, but it is all new and 18% lighter and 10% more efficient, and has a rear-drive bias.

The car’s safety suite consists of autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keep assistance and traffic sign recognition systems.

The XF actually had its best year on sale in 2014 - 48,000 were sold. In total, 250,000 were sold since 2007.

Q&A with Ian Callum, Jaguar design director

What was your aim in designing the new XF?

"We created the first XF and defined its character, so it was a challenge to replace something we understood already. We've made it more pragmatic; more space is a good thing.

“I wanted to protect Jaguar’s visual DNA and I wanted to make sure that we created a genuine sports saloon. However, I also wanted the new XF to be more mature and sophisticated than the previous car. It may be slightly shorter and lower than the old XF, but I wanted the car to have more presence, which I think we’ve achieved.

"It's a simple, intelligent design. It has to work for seven years and I believe this will.

“We’ve given the new car three side windows, which helps illuminate the interior, and we have this new strong line running down the side of the car.”

Why did you decide to stay with the familiar Jaguar nose design?

“The current XF is nearly eight years old and I think it has worn well. I wanted to translate the XF nose into the new family look. I wanted the front to look slightly menacing, but not aggressive or vulgar. The grille surround stands proud at the front. I like the way it looks like an air intake.

"This is not the time to change the face of the car. People need to see it and say 'this is a Jaguar', then they understand the brand and the values. We're building a family."

Why is the interior design of the XF such a break from the flagship XJ saloon and quite unlike any previous Jaguar model?

“We’ve certainly gone for a very simple interior architecture, although we have carried over some design themes from the current Jaguar line-up.