New Jaguar XF wins 'Best Executive Car of the Year' award 2008

Jaguar's new XF has claimed the highly respected 'Car of the Year' award at the 2008 'What Car?' awards in London last night. The XF also took top place in the 'best executive car' category, ahead of the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes CLS.

Steve Fowler, group editor of What Car?, said, "For us, the XF goes straight in there with the very best cars from Jaguar's past. And given that the car market today is more competitive than it's ever been, it's fair to say the XF is the best car Jaguar has ever built.

"The XF really does have it all – a sensational exterior and dramatic interior combined with a drive that will delight and pamper in equal measure. On top of that, it stacks up as a sensible buying and owning proposition, too."

Mike O'Driscoll, managing director of Jaguar Cars, said, "All of us at Jaguar are delighted that we've taken the top spot at these awards, and that What Car? has named the new XF 'Car of the Year'.   It's especially gratifying as What Car? has such a great reputation for representing the British consumer. Jaguar is creating a new generation of cars that started with the XK, and now continues with the all-new XF – a four door, five passenger car that has the heart of a sports car, and the looks of a grand tourer.  Like the XK, XF is visually striking and thrilling to drive.  

The Jaguar XF has already received a host of significant awards including 'Car of the Year' from The Sun newspaper, 'Limo of the Year' from Top Gear magazine, 'Interior of the Year' from CAR magazine and the 'Design Award' from Autocar magazine.

Priced from £33,900 for the 2.7 litre diesel, the XF comes as standard with a generous specification featuring a host of innovative, industry-leading equipment.  Highlights include the all-new JaguarDrive Selector, JaguarSense, a smart technical solution introducing touch or proximity-sensing control for overhead console lights and glove box release and the optional top-of-the-range 440 watt Bowers & Wilkins speaker system delivering a powerful and vivid performance.

Available to order now, the XF made its public debut at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September and the first customer deliveries begin in March.

The XF is available with a choice of engines – 3.0 litre V6; 2.7 litre twin-turbocharged V6 diesel; 4.2 litre V8; 4.2 litre supercharged V8 – and specification. All XFs have a six-speed automatic transmission which features Jaguar Sequential Shift, allowing drivers the option of one-touch manual gearshift using steering wheel-mounted paddle controls.