Jaguar wheels in trio of new stars

How about this for a triple whammy of sensational new models from Jaguar?

First up is the XK60, which celebrates 60 years of the firm’s XK badge. The model is making its debut at this week’s British Motor Show, and offers buyers a heap of extras, such as 20-inch ‘Senta’ alloys, a new front spoiler and rear valance. The XK’s normally aspirated 294bhp 4.2-litre V8 is unchanged, and prices are set at £60,995 for the coupé, with the Convertible adding an extra £6,000.

Our spies have also caught two prototypes on test. For starters, they snapped the new XJ luxury saloon testing at the Nürburgring circuit in Germany. The car is still wearing the current model’s body over its new mechanicals, which include a platform that has been co-developed with Land Rover and will underpin the next-generation Range Rover.

That could mean the XJ will be available with both four and rear-wheel drive. The finished article will boast styling inspired by the XF, with a bold grille and sleeker lines.

It should be the best car to drive in its class, too, thanks to new electro-magnetic dampers – and judging by the damage to the front of this prototype, it appears the engineers have been testing the handling to the limit! The new XJ will be revealed in 2010, but the supercharged XF flagship has already made a surprise appearance at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The XFR packs the firm’s new 500bhp 5.0-litre supercharged V8, and should have enough pace to rival the BMW M5 and Mercedes E63 AMG. Subtle changes include wider wheelarches, lower side skirts and suspension, plus a modified front end featuring a large bonnet bulge and deeper air intakes.

The big V8 should rocket the XFR from 0-60mph in less than four seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. A sophisticated traction control system will keep the power in check. Expect to see the finished model at the Paris Motor Show in October.