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The move started with designer Ian Callum’s arrival from Aston Martin, followed by the current, punchy XK sports car, which made you wonder why banker boys shelled out extra for Aston’s V8 Vantage.

Then we had the exciting XF saloon, with its pulsating red starter button, futuristic silver cylindrical gear selector that rose out of the centre console, funky iPod connectivity, cool blue interior lighting and more aggression on the road than any equivalent mustered by Audi or Mercedes.

And now we have the new XJ, being built at Castle Bromwich, purring on the start line like Jaguars of old, but with more svelte poise and attitude than anything that has carried the badge before it. The German Big Three might as well retreat across the Channel because there’s never been a better reason to buy British.

The residuals experts agree – EurotaxGlass’s predicts that after three years of ownership, the new XJ will have a better residual value than an Audi A8, Mercedes S-class or BMW 7-series, maintaining 40 per cent of its price.

Jason King, head of market intelligence for EurotaxGlass’s, says the XJ “is sure to appeal to a wider and much younger audience, building on the fine work of the XF in helping the Jaguar brand redefine itself and appeal to a younger buyer.

We’re not surprised to see the Jaguar going head to head with the Mercedes S-class, traditionally the industry leader for these retained values. The XJ offers interiors, levels of equipment and overall quality more familiar to buyers of models offered by the other great British luxury car brands, such as Bentley and Aston Martin.”

Ah, that interior design. There’s no doubting it: while from the outside some may argue that the XJ looks simply like a stretched XF (it’s actually far sleeker and sharper, with an aggressive coupé silhouette), inside you delve into a lap of luxury which sets this saloon apart from not just the XF but also its Teutonic rivals.

It might not feel quite so spacious as the Germans, but it’s a lot more stylish and interesting. Jaguar insists “the XJ is a perfect car of choice for every chairman and chief executive in British boardrooms”.

Please. This car is far too elegant for businessmen; let them browse their stocks in the back of a 7-series or A8. The XJ deserves an appreciative audience, a passenger who will stroke the glossy wood and cool metal fillets, and slide gracefully along the cream-leather wrapped seats.

The basic trim level, called Luxury, gives you footwell lighting, door puddle lights, American walnut veneer, soft leather-clad seats and chrome circular air vents.

Step up to Portfolio trim and walnut becomes ebony, with beautiful wood and chrome trays that fold out from the front seat backs for executive laptops and papers – there’s even a pen slot on the tray for your Montblanc. (more…)

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