23 October 2002: Luxury carmaker Jaguar had a surprise up its sleeve for its Press Day photocall yesterday at the British International Motor Show: the world debut of the XJ6 model that it believes offers 'a new level of accessibility' to the XJ range.

Jaguar Cars MD Mike Beasley introduced the all-aluminium saloon that he predicts will be a big seller in Britain. With a 3-litre V6 outputting 240 bhp, the XJ6 joins the marque’s 'flagship range' revealed recently in Paris, taking its place alongside the XJ8, XJR and new XJ Super V8 models.

The new XJ may be the latest incarnation of a marque which has stretched over four decades, but Jaguar say this is the most advanced production model they have ever produced.

Globally, Jaguar sales exceeded 100,000 in 2001 and even in today’s difficult economic climate the company is forecasting more growth in 2002.

Since its introduction in 1968, the XJ series has accounted for more than half of all Jaguars ever sold. Aside from the XJ, Jaguar also took the wraps off a new special edition version of the X-type, the Indianapolis, production of which will be limited to just 400 examples.