SPY PICS: Cat nip and tuck for Jag XF

It's the car that has singlehandedly revived the fortunes of British prestige marque Jaguar, but the XF is now approaching time for a cosmetic upgrade.

The pictures shown here, courtesy of the well known cat fanciers at Carparazzi, hint that the frontal styling of the car will adopt a refreshed look when it goes on sale in 2011.

This new look, it's believed, will align the XF's styling closer to the newly-released XJ large car's look. Don't expect the new XF to go for the whole XJ visual flourish however; Jaguar will be keen to keep the true 'pomp and circumstance' style for the flagship.

With the psychedelic camo wrapped all around the lower body work, there must be more happening than just the frontal styling, in our view. There's a barely discernible swage line in what we think looks like the wrong place. That would mean either sheet metal changes in the doors or perhaps something as simple as side protection strips where previously there have been none. One thing that is quite clear is the new car's changes to the outboard air intakes in the front apron.

Our spy photographers tell that the 2011 model XF will gain from upgraded interiors and new or revised engines powering the car.

The big news, based on rumours heard by Carparazzi, is a wagon version scheduled for launch around the same time. Don't expect to see it here in Australia, but if your heart yearns for a five-door XF, keep your fingers crossed for a cat-wagon tail.

-- with Carparazzi

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