Jaguar Cars has announced details of the all-new XF four-door Jaguar which will replace the current S Type ahead of its appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

It will reach UK showrooms next March.

Every XF model has shift-by-wire transmission control, with Jaguar’s sequential shift system as used in the XK sports car, and will change gear faster than the current XK.

There are also multiple JaguarDrive Control transmission modes, including Dynamic and Winter settings, which interact with throttle progression, Dynamic Stability Control thresholds and shift strategy to match mood and conditions.

A new JaguarDrive Selector – “an industry-first rotary shift interface” combines precise, intuitive control with space-saving packaging, to allow maximisation of interior storage options.

The XF’s air-conditioning vents present a flush dashboard surface until the ignition is switched on, at which point they rotate to the open position. Another new technology - JaguarSense - introduces touch or proximity-sensing control for overhead console lights and the glovebox release.

Every level of audio system features at least eight speakers, with a premium system designed in association with Bowers & Wilkins available on range-topping models.

Other available features include Jaguar Voice control to operate audio and telephone functions, blind spot monitor, front and rear parking aids and rear camera parking aid, adaptive cruise control, automatic speed limiter, tyre pressure monitoring system and electronic parking brake.

The new XF will need to reverse a sharp decline in Jaguar sales in the U.S. market to revive the brand’s profitability as Ford prepares to assess a second round of bids for Jaguar and Land Rover.

The car will be available in the US with a choice of two engines - a 300 hp 4.2-litre naturally-aspirated V8 and a 420 hp 4.2-litre supercharged V8. They will be supplied by the South Wales engine plant of Ford, which has been building Jaguar power units for over a decade.

EurotaxGlass’s, publisher of Glass’s Guide to Used Car Values, was commissioned to assess the XF’s prospects in the UK market, and is forecasting best-in-class residual values for the new Jaguar XF.

The diesel-powered Jaguar XF 2.7S Luxury automatic, expected to be the most popular model in the XF range, is predicted to retain 50% of its original list price, £33,900 on-the-road, after three years and 36,000 miles, compared to 48% for the BMW 525d SE automatic, and 46% for the Mercedes-Benz E280 CDI Avantgarde automatic.