The first cars in a new model line from luxury motor company Jaguar rolled off the production line in Birmingham today.

The new Jaguar XF is being built at the company's Castle Bromwich facility and will be available to UK consumers from February 2008.

First shown in concept version at the the Detroit Motor Show at the beginning of this year, the XF replaces the Jaguar S-type which will cease production.

Jaguar boasts that the new car combines the best in sporting and saloon models, with the entry model - the 2.7 litre diesel - costing £33,900. There are four other versions - the 3.0 litre V6 and two 4.2 litre models capable of speeds of up to 155 mph and going from 0-60mph in little over five seconds.

Even before production started, the XF won an award - being voted earlier this year What Car? magazine's most exciting car to be launched in 2007.

Jaguar expect the UK and America will provide the bulk of sales for the new model.  Jaguar's owner, Ford, is expected to announce soon which company will be taking over the Midlands' carmaker.