Jaguar has chosen the Frankfurt Show to officially unveil its new XF saloon. That's fitting, as the XF's key rivals come from BMW, Mercedes and Audi with the 5 Series, E-Class and A6 respectively. That's a formidable line-up to be challenging, but Jaguar is confident that the XF has the measure of its German competition. Certainly it's bigger than many of them, the XF growing in dimensions over its S-Type predecessor not only to increase interior space, but also to improve the car's dynamics.

And Jaguar is promising that the XF is the most dynamic saloon it has ever produced. The XF unquestionably signals a new design direction for the usually traditional marque. Where its forebears have been somewhat backward looking in their styling the XF looks to a bolder future. Jaguar claims the XF's proportions are close to that of the acclaimed XK Coupe, its windscreen sharing the same rake angle as its two-door relative. With a boot higher than any previous Jaguar, the look is far more muscular and coupe-like and certain to have a wider appeal than any Jaguar before.

There are obviously some Jaguar signature design touches: the headlamp shape nods to Jaguar's more usual four headlamp set up, while the gill on the wing follows that of the XJ. What's perhaps most surprising is that there will be no visual identifiers, badging and wheel sizes aside, for the different models. That means an entry-level XF with the 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine will look little different to the range-topping supercharged 4.2-litre V8 S.

Four engines will be offered in total: a 2.7-litre turbodiesel, a 3.0-litre V6 petrol and two 4.2-litre V8s, one featuring a supercharger.

That supercharged S delivers 420bhp and allows it to reach 62mph in an estimated 5.4 seconds, all models being able to reach 62mph in less than 8.3 seconds. They'll all drive through Jaguar's six-speed automatic transmission. It features a novel drive selector, a rotary knob on the transmission tunnel selecting Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive and Drive Sport, manual gear choice possible via wheel-mounted paddle-shifters. The interior really is a highlight of the new car. Jaguar has integrated a touch-screen control that includes Bluetooth, DAB digital radio, a CD player (or multi-player) as well as optional full iPod integration and an auxiliary plug on all models.

It all looks to offer ease of functionality mixed with neat, classy styling. It should be spacious, too. Well specified in entry Luxury trim, prices for the XF start at £33,900 for the 2.7-litre V6 turbodiesel. Interestingly, that's the same price as the 3.0-litre V6 petrol Luxury.

Premium Luxury models add £3,600 with the same engines, while the V8 naturally aspirated model costs £45,500. Add a supercharger for the SV8 and you'll pay £54,900. Those prices are not only competitive against its rivals, but Jaguar is already claiming 'best-in-class' residual values for its new saloon. The new Jaguar will reach showrooms early next year, where it'll need to impress, the XF a crucially important model for the future of the company.

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