Jaguar unveiled its new XJ last night and, in case you weren’t tuned into the DR news section last night for the live event, here’s what you missed.

Power will come from a either a 3-litre ‘Gen III’ diesel engine, a naturally aspirated 5-litre V8 or a version of the supercharged V8 that appears in the XKR coupe. Jaguar hasn’t released power, torque or performance figures for all the engines yet, but has confirmed that the supercharged motor packs 470bhp. They don’t say whether this will always be the top-of-the-range petrol, but there’s no mention of an ‘R’ version in the press release, so for the time being this is probably the most powerful model. There’s no word on a gearbox either, but expect it to be fitted withthe excellent ZF auto that appears in the rest of the range.*

As we have come to expect from Jaguar, aluminium is used extensively throughout the car’s construction and, thanks to the Jag engineers’ clever use of the material, means that the big saloon weighs ‘at least’ 150kg less than its rivals from Mercedes and BMW. Combined with continuously variable damping, air suspension and ‘active differential control’ Jag may well have created a car that’s just as much fun to drive as it is relaxing to be driven in.

Despite some interesting technical details and striking looks, in many ways it’s the interior that steals the show – check out the gallery for pics of a cabin that looks as though it belongs in concept car fantasy land. Or a yacht.

Three trim levels will be offered – Luxury, Premium Luxury and Portfolio –alongside a choice of leather and veneers that are exclusive to the XJ. The top-of-the-range Supersport model adds leather roof lining, semi-aniline seats and, in one of the coolest interior specs we’ve ever seen, wood veneers with ‘laser inlays’.

Equipment levels are high, and there’s even some S-Class level innovation,with a 12.3-inch High Definition centre console-mounted screen that can display vehicle functions and sat nav information to the driver, while simultaneously showing a film or television programme to the passenger.

Both long wheelbase and short wheelbase versions will be available from launch, with the former offering an extra 125mm of legroom and carrying a £3000 premium over the latter.

The 3-litre Diesel versions are available in Luxury, Premium Luxury and Portfolio versions at £52,500, £55,900 and £62,900 while the normally aspirated petrol versions are available in Premium Luxury and Portfolio at £62,900 and £69,900. Sitting at the top of the range is the supercharged Supersport version at £88,000.