Jaguar XF and XFR facelift (2011) first official pictures

This is the facelifted Jaguar XF and XFR, unveiled at the 2011 New York motor show.

Yes, the 2011 Jaguar XF has updated headlights, along with a larger grille, reprofiled bonnet and styling tweaks to the front bumper. Officially, the redesign brings the XF into line with the styling cues established by the new XJ in 2010. But for many Jaguar enthusiasts the facelifted nose finally brings the C-XF concept's front end to the production XF. Although we've adjusted to the XF's awkward headlight design since the 2007 launch, the 2011 XF's new visage is a major improvement over the original.

Both XF and XFR get new bumper designs - the XF sports three lower intakes with the outer intakes bisected by chrome fins. The XFR has received larger chrome-ringed front intakes which resemble the current design.

In profile, you can tell the 2011 XF from its predecessor by the redesigned side vent, and new side mirrors. The XFR also gets deeper side-sills. Enlarged LED taillights are the news at the rear of the XF. Although the design resembles the taillights on the current car, the 2011 XF's taillight extends further into the bootlid. Jaguar retains the chrome 'blade' connecting the taillight clusters across the rear of the XF. You'll be able to spot an XFR by its deeper rear bumper, quad exhaust pipes and aerodynamic diffuser.

Inside the XF the changes are more subtle. The XF gets a new steering wheel, revised heating and ventilation switchgear, and redesigned seats. The central touchscreen and instrument panel display have received updated sat-nav and infotainment control software. There's also a fresh range of interior trim combinations. New sound-deadening material has been employed to further improve refinement.

Under the bonnet sits a change far more significant to XF sales in the UK than any concern over headlamps. As revealed in Chris Chilton's test drive this month, the new XF is available with a 2.2-litre, four-cylinder common-rail turbodiesel engine. It's the engine seen in sister brand Land Rover's Freelander and upcoming Range Rover Evoque, tuned here for 188bhp and 332lb ft.

Jaguar has employed ZF's eight-speed automatic transmission, and an automated engine stop-start system makes its Jaguar debut with the new four-pot diesel.

Step up from the entry-level 2.2 diesel and you have your choice of the existing XF engine range: 3.0-litre petrol, 3.0-litre diesel in 237bhp or 271bhp tune, 5.0-litre V8 and the supercharged 5.0-litre XFR.

The new XF will go on sale in September 2011 with prices starting at £30,950 for the 2.2-litre diesel engine and rising to £63,780 for the flagship XFR.

By Mark Hamilton