Star cars of 2008 - part 2 - Executive and luxury cars

Jaguar XF
Price £33,900-£45,500
On sale March
What's new? It's the replacement for the S-type

Jaguar is heading in a new direction, and the new XF is the sporty saloon charged with leading the company to a bright new future.

Characterised by its bang-up-to date styling, the XF will also take on class rivals like the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6 with a more typical Jag blend of comfort, sharp handling and refinement.

We've already driven the XF and been impressed by the way it behaves, but at first glance it's the beautiful sheet metal and gorgeous interior that really hit home.

Stand-out details inside include handsome lacquered oak paired with bright chrome trim - and the quality trounces that offered by the opposition.

Under the skin, the XF is based on the old S-type. Most of the key technical details are updated, however.

The suspension is derived from the new XK sports coupe and the engines are latest versions of those in the flagship XJ saloon.

That means two 4.2-litre petrol V8s (one with a supercharger and one without), a 3.0-litre petrol V6 and the likely best-seller, the 2.7-litre V6 turbodiesel.

All versions will be available only with a ZF six-speed auto, the world's best self-shifting gearbox, which is controlled by the XF's centre console-mounted rotary dial, which pops up like something out of a James Bond movie when the ignition is activated.

Unusually for a Jag, the 420bhp supercharged V8 will be badged SV8, rather than R. That's because the range-topping XF-R supercharged model will come in 2009 with a scorching 500bhp 5.0-litre V8, an all-new engine featuring direct-injection.

XF prices start at £33,900 for the 3.0 V6, rising to £45,500 for the V8.


Mercedes
Price From £29,000
On sale 2008/2009
What's new? Bigger, better quality and a diesel hybrid
A vital new model for Mercedes, the E-Class may sneak into 2008 when it's unveiled at the end of the year, but sales will definitely not start until 2009 at the earliest.

Mercedes isn't taking any chances with development of the new saloon and estate, and prototypes have been running publicly in durability testing for at least a year.

Expect two grille treatments, with Sport models getting a bold, three-vane item with a huge three-pointed star at its centre, while comfort and luxury trim levels get a traditional bonnet-mounted Mercedes badge.

Inside, higher-quality plastics and trim will bring a more luxury feel to the E-Class. The estate is expected to have a class-leading cavernous load bay, thanks to the new platform's more generous dimensions.

Engines will be drawn from the existing range. Highlights to look forward to include the new 170bhp 2.2-litre CDi and, in 2010, a diesel hybrid, badged E300 Bluetec Hybrid, which promises 204bhp from the 2.2 unit, yet offers 55mpg and 134g/km CO2 emissions.


Cadillac CTS
Price From £25,000 (est)
On sale January
What's new? A much-needed quality hike
The all-new, rear-drive CTS goes on sale in January. More curvaceous and less slab-sided, with a bold grille, the most promising feature is the much higher-quality interior with its standard hand-finished leather seats and dashboard.

Engines are petrol-only until next year, when a new 2.9 V6 TD will be launched. Until then, there's an entry-level 208bhp 2.8 V6 and direct-injection 307bhp 3.6 V6, the latter a smooth yet very powerful unit.

Two trims will be offered, with the 2.8 getting the entry specification and the 3.6 the higher one.

As well as leather trim, dual-zone climate control and adaptive xenon headlights are likely to be standard across the range.


Mercedes CLS face-lift
Price £44,000-£74,000
On sale Summer 2008
What's new? Mild tweaks to front and rear
This is a year of face-lifts for Mercedes and the swoopy CLS is down for a light refresh.

Changes are limited to light cosmetic tweaks to the front and rear, while the grille gets the new corporate front-end already introduced on the C-Class.

Expect sport and luxury models to be distinguished with different grille treatments.

New interior trims and a few design updates to the fascia will keep the CLS fresh until an all-new model arrives around 2010/11.

Engines will get a tweak, too, although the CLS already features most recent versions of Mercedes powerplants.

Four engines are available: a 288bhp 3.5-litre V6 in the 350, 383bhp 5.5 V8 in the 500, while the range-topping 63 AMG has a 6.2 V8 with a monstrous 507bhp.

Diesel fans have just one choice - the 320 CDI with a 221bhp 3.0 V6 - but it's refined, frugal and very flexible.

In fact, it's our current favourite, especially when paired with the conventional suspension instead of the air set-up.