"Great Jaguars turn heads in the street. They make people stop and pay attention. They evoke instant desire."

So says Ian Callum, Jaguar’s Director of Design, of the C-XF, the latest concept car to signpost the marque’s new direction. Unveiled at the Detroit motor show in January, it’s a car that blends Jaguar’s unique heritage with bold, contemporary features.

The muscular profile is enhanced by tapered headlamps, while the spacious four-seat cabin is a welcoming, rewarding place to be. Sink into the driver’s seat and a jewel-like Power button pulses on the centre console. The powertrain – a supercharged V8 and a sophisticated six-speed automatic that delivers lightning-quick manual gear changes thanks to the Jaguar Sequential Shift System – is perfectly suited to a true sports saloon.

It's little wonder that the production version of the C-XF has been named Most Exciting Car of the Year 2007 by WhatCar? magazine, while the readers of Eve magazine put the XF at the head of their list of the top 10 cars to be launched this year.

"The Jaguar C-XF concept is the most dynamic and modern four-door car that Jaguar has ever created,” says Ian, “a design showcase heralding the next generation of our sports saloon models. It signals a future for Jaguar that is as exciting as the C-XF itself."