Powerful engine makes this Jag the cat’s whiskers

my time with the car I did just that

Whether you use the automatic gearbox or change gear yourself, however, once you reach your cruising speed this new XF becomes supremely quiet and cocoons you from the outside motoring world.

The new engine is also impressively flexible particularly when using the paddles. You can go from first to eighth gear and still be within the speed limit in built up areas.

And when you need that extra performance in a hurry the kick-down function is quick and smooth allowing you to get out of trouble in an instant.

As with all XF. models there’s an abundance of leg room all round, with rear seat passengers able to stretch out in comfort.

The same generous space applies in the boot. Holiday luggage for an entire family is swallowed up with ease and with the power gesture boot lid fitted (£665 optional extra) it was possible to open it simply by moving my leg beneath the rear of the car when my hands were full of parcels.

For Jaguar customers wanting to personalise their car there is now an incredible choice of features available.

This particular car had everything from an advanced parking assistance pack with surround camera at £2,020 to a digital television at £890 and a navigation pro pack with Meridian sound system at £1,780, pushing the overall price up from £35,235 to just under £50,000.

There’s the plush interior you get with XF models and as soon as you start the engine the round gearshift rises up automatically and the air vents rotate to expose their concealed openings. It’s a nice bit of theatre.

On the road this new engined model is a very well mannered car which sits firmly on the highway and goes exactly where you want it to no matter how hard you push it.

The ride is smooth enough to satisfy the most demanding of passengers, but then that’s exactly what we have come to expect from Jaguar.