New Jaguar XF Sportbrake

The long-awaited Jaguar XF estate finally makes its debut here at the Geneva Motor Show, ready to take on the Audi A6 Avant and BMW 5 Series Touring.

What is it?
The XF Sportbrake is only Jaguar's second estate car, but a vitally important one. In Europe, estates account for one in four executive car sales, so its arrival later this year is vital if Jaguar is to maintain its upward sales trajectory.

What's hot?
This is a very good looking estate, with Jaguar finishing the rear pillars in gloss black to create a wraparound effect, with the roof floating on top. The shape of the side window is distinctive too - and, with up to 1,675 litres of space within, it's practical as well. It's shown here in Geneva with an optional aero styling pack for added visual clout.

What's not?
The engine range is diesel-only at the moment. This is sensible as diesels account for nine in 10 sales in this sector, but we still find the idea of a 510hp XFR Sportbrake very tantalising!

How much and when?
The Jaguar XF Sportbrake will go on sale later in 2012 but Jaguar has not yet revealed prices. A spokesman hinted at a premium of around £2,000-£3,000 over the XF saloon, in line with rivals, giving a starting price of around £35,000 for a 2.2D 190 model.

Anything else I should know?
Inside, Jaguar says the trim in the boot is exactly the same high quality as that up front. The name, it is explained, is an amalgam of 'sports tourer' and 'shooting brake', the latter a traditional name for load-lugging versions of sporty coupes. Impressively, the estate is actually stiffer than the saloon, and it is more aerodynamically efficient.

• On Bing: see pictures of the Jaguar XF Sportbrake
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• Revealed: Jaguar XF Sportbrake