Jaguar XF-R

There's a Big Cat on the prowl in Death Valley. This is the XF-R – and, as you can see, the BMW M5 rival will really look the part when it goes on sale in 2010.

Spied testing in California in the US, this prototype is wearing a minimal disguise, and the wide wheelarches are clearly visible, along with the low side skirts and large bonnet bulge with deep air intakes. Power comes from a 500bhp 5.0-litre supercharged V8, which should rocket the XF-R from 0-60mph in less than five seconds and on to 155mph. Its chassis has been honed at the Nürburgring circuit in Germany, so the result will be one of the best-handling cars in class – but it will still provide a soothing ride, thanks to adaptive damping. The XF-R goes on display at the Detroit Motor Show in the US in January.