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Hit or miss

Today marked either the beginning of the end, or the beginning of a new era with the production of the first new Jaguar XF, a Vapour Grey 4.2 liter SV8 model, at the Castle Bromwich plant in the UK. The leaping Panthera Onca brand is up for sale and will rely heavily on the success of the new XF, the S-Type replacement, no matter who the owner is.

Jaguar founding father Sir William Lyons' grandson drove the first Jag XF off the end of the Trim and Final production line and said: “The new XF is a car that truly represents the core values which have lain at the heart of this great brand since its foundation in 1922 and I am thrilled to have been asked here today to witness this historic event from the best seat in the house!"

Job #1 will be donated to the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust collection and will be displayed alongside some of the most prestigious and memorable Jaguar and Daimler cars.

First deliveries are expected to take place in March 2008, but ordering has started already. Jaguar has invested heavily in the Castle Bromwich plant to ensure the highest build quality possible. Richard Else, Operations Director at Castle Bromwich, said: "Today is a significant milestone for Jaguar and a very proud moment for the Castle Bromwich team who have worked tirelessly to ensure this car delivers the highest levels of quality and refinement customers have come to expect from Jaguar."