The XF has proved – excuse the pun – a roaring success for Jaguar in 2009. Sales increased 149% in November compared to the same month in 2008, contributing to the brand sales total of 1,467 units.

To put this in perspective, more models were sold in 2009 than in the previous year when the XF was launched, with the introduction of the 3.0-litre diesel providing the boost to the range and bringing sales to a 2009 total of 18,234 (0.91%).

A contributor to an XF forum sums up the mood of those choosing ‘the cat’ in 2009: “I have been lucky and had a range of cars over the last 15 years – BMW 5 Series, Range Rover Vogue. All great fun, but not a patch on the XF.”

Retail pricing of the XF range starts at £32,900 for the 3.0-litre petrol.

The 3.0-litre diesel model is available from £33,900, while the 3.0-litre diesel S starts at £36,900.

The newest addition to the range, the XFR, packing a 5.0-litre V8 supercharged engine, costs £59,900.

Alongside the XFR, the car comes in three other models – Luxury, Premium Luxury and Portfolio. Base spec includes seven-inch colour touch screen display, six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift and keyless start and JaguarSense (touch or proximity control of switches).

Premium Luxury adds features such as softgrain leather, an upgraded sound system and heated front seats and Portfolio includes Bowers and Wilkins 440-watt stereo, navigation system, ebony veneer and tyre pressure monitoring system.