Jaguar's XJ long wheelbase has been awarded 'Chauffeur Car of the Year 2008' in the under £50,000 category by The Chauffeur magazine.

The diesel-powered luxury car, which will also be on show, alongside its XF diesel sibling, at this year's Drive 08 - the magazine's driving event designed specially for the chauffeur market - beat the likes of the Volvo S80, Mercedes E-Class, Chrylser 300C and Volkswagen Phaeton.

The award shortly followed the announcement from Jaguar of a new dedicated programme for the chauffeur market, offering an attractive package for chauffeurs who make the XJ long wheelbase their vehicle of choice. The Jaguar Chauffeur Programme* is designed to ensure buying, owning and maintaining a new Jaguar is an effortless experience.

Building on the success of the XJ diesel since its introduction in September 2005, Jaguar announced the XJ long wheelbase diesel at the British International Motor Show the following year. This car combines all the excellent attributes of the long wheelbase car with the refinement of the 2.7 twin-turbo diesel engine.