Jaguar's new XF has claimed top prize - the highly respected 'Car of the Year' award - at the 2008 What Car? awards in London last night. The XF also took top place in the 'Best Executive Car' category, ahead of the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes CLS.

Steve Fowler, group editor of What Car?, said: "For us, the XF goes straight in there with the very best cars from Jaguar's past. And given that the car market today is more competitive than it's ever been, it's fair to say the XF is the best car Jaguar has ever built.

"The XF really does have it all - a sensational exterior and dramatic interior combined with a drive that will delight and pamper in equal measure. On top of that, it stacks up as a sensible buying and owning proposition, too."

XF has already received a host of significant awards including 'Car of the Year' from The Sun newspaper, 'Limo of the Year' from Top Gear magazine, 'Interior of the Year' from CAR magazine and the 'Design Award' from Autocar magazine. Priced from £33,900 for the 2.7-litre diesel, the XF comes as standard with a generous specification featuring a host of innovative, industry-leading equipment