Jaguar's crucial new mid-sizer revealed

We saw it in concept form at January's Detroit motor show and in disguise (more here), and now Jaguar is set to follow up at the Frankfurt motor show by revealing its all-new XF sedan in full production trim.

Encouragingly, the showroom variant has largely carried over the proportions of the stunning concept, although the ultra-flared guards and slit-like headlights haven't survived the transition to production reality.

It's an oft-used cliché, but the XF really is a make-or-break car for beleaguered Jaguar, which has been swimming in red ink as its current line-up (barring the XK) has failed to make an impression against its German (read: Mercedes, BMW, Audi) opposition.

The XF is conceived to tackle the Merc E-Class, BMW 5 Series and Audi A6 and dispenses with the frumpy, overly retro styling of the XJ  and S-Type -- and it's the latter that it's destined to replace.

Going on these images, the XF appears to have the requisite visual appeal, even though it's not quite as jaw-dropping as the avant garde concept that bowed at Detroit.

Well-placed sources suggest the concept's sinister headlights would have been too expensive to manufacture, so the production car gets more conventional, keyhole-shaped lights.

As per the XK, the XF will be offered with a choice of a 224kW 4.2-litre V8 and a supercharged version of the same with 306kW. But there are also rumours of a subsequent XF-R variant with around 370kW -- putting it up against the likes of the BMW M5 and Mercedes E63 AMG.

The XF is about 125mm longer than the S-Type and Jaguar claims it provides adequate space for five adults, despite its low, heavily tapered roofline.

Jaguar says the XF is something of a spiritual successor to the XJ Series 1, which was more compact than its modern-day successor.

"Cars like the original XJ6 left a lasting legacy and my ambition has been to create something as seminal. The XF is that car," said Jaguar design chief Ian Callum.

A novel feature in the XF is the new JaguarDrive Selector, which features a rotary shift interface (rather than a conventional gearlever). The device rises into the palm of the hand when the ignition is turned on, and can be rotated to select park, reverse, neutral, drive, and sequential mode.

Jaguar Sequential Shift works on a shift-by-wire system that replaces manual shift linkages with electronic commands. Jaguar claims it gives the XF shifts that are not only smoother, but also quicker than those provided by the XK's transmission.

The XF's standard features will include Automatic Speed Limiter, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Electronic Parking Brake. Other available features include JaguarVoice control to operate audio and telephone functions, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitor, Front and Rear Parking Aids and Rear Camera Parking Aid.

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