Here’s a hot tip if you want to spot the difference between a luxury and a super-luxury saloon – look for some seriously cool seats.

That’s cool as in fitted with a fan to draw air through the perforated leather to ensure your derriere remains gently chilled on hot days.

Naturally, those same seats are heated to ensure you also stay warm on a winter’s day. It might be a small point, but the attention to detail that manifests itself throughout the cabin’s cocoon of comfort helps to make travelling in an XF a thoroughly relaxing and involving grand touring experience.

Most of the car’s functions can also be controlled at the touch of a button using Jaguar’s interactive voice system, which gives safe, hands-free operation, so whether you want a warm glow from the heated seats, rapid ice clearing from the front and rear screens, or instant demisting from the air conditioning, the XF is all about making life easy.

The most obvious change to the 2012 model is the bold new look to both the front and rear that bring it in line with the flagship XJ. The headlamps now use high-intensity xenon technology that allows them to be much slimmer. They also incorporate LED daytime running lights.

The tail lamps are also new and use LED-technology for stop, light and indicators, giving the XF a distinctive look in the dark. And now there is no slamming of the boot, as all models have power closure.

But it is the changes under the bonnet that have led to the real advances. The fire-breathing supercharged XFR remains at the top of the range, but a new star is an advanced new 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, which comes with a fuel and emissions-saving Intelligent Stop/Start system for the first time in a Jaguar. The engine offers the chance of achieving more than 50mpg.

The test car was powered by 3.0-litre, V6 turbo-diesel, which delivered fuel consumption in the mid-40s, while also giving effortless high-speed cruising and breathtaking acceleration when required.

Some of the fuel efficiency is down to the new eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox which adds to the silky smooth driving experience.

Jaguar says the system allows gear changes to be completed in just 200 milliseconds – four times faster than the average human resting heartbeat – while driver control is given a boost by steering-wheel-mounted paddles.

Standard on all XF diesel models, the gearbox cuts the CO2 emissions of the 3.0-litre V6 to 169g/km and gives fuel consumption of 44.8mpg.

While the XF’s engine technology works to deliver gloriously relaxing travelling, even your ears are in for some pampering, particularly when the car is fitted with an optional 1200W Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system. It uses no fewer than 17 speakers to provide true high-fidelity sound, even when travelling at speed.

Oh, and if you really want to be convinced you are in the super-luxury class, see if the leather-covered steering wheel has a £240 heater fitted. It’s a small point, but on an icy winter’s day it’s another little touch that makes the XF easy to warm to.

Auto facts: Jaguar XF 3.0L Diesel S Portfolio

  • Price: £49,100
  • Insurance group: 46 (1-50)
  • Fuel consumption (Combined): 44.8mpg
  • Top speed: 155mph
  • Length: 496.1cm/195.3in
  • Width: 187.7cm/73.8in
  • Luggage capacity: 17.6 cu ft
  • Fuel tank capacity: 15.2 gallons/69.5 litres
  • CO2 emissions: 169g/km
  • Warranty: 3 years/unlimited mileage