JAGUAR'S very first 2003 model Jaguar 4.2-litre supercharged XKR supercar has been delivered to its owner by Sudburys Jaguar in Swindon.

And very aptly the customer is former Jaguar chairman and unashamed Jaguar enthusiast Hamish Orr-Ewing, who lives near Swindon.

It is the fourth model he has bought from Sudburys and it was handed over by sales manager Bernard Harris.

"Mr Orr-Ewing has long been a Jaguar enthusiast quite apart from his past business associations with the company," said Mr Harris as he handed over the keys of the gleaming Pacific Blue XKR.

Mr Orr-Ewing said: "When you spend more than £60,000 of your own money on a car you need to have complete confidence in the product and the service supporting it. I have owned Jaguars since 1995, all bought new from Sudburys: two XJRs and an XKR which I am trading in.

"No rival manufacturer exceeds Jaguar for total excellence and I speak with the experience of having owned all the obvious alternatives!

"The support I have had from Sudburys has been everything one could ask for.

"It's a case of fine products backed by outstanding dealer support and a very nice bunch of people to deal with into the bargain."

The engineering changes made to the XK for 2003 are substantial.

The extensively revised powertrain, with the new, larger capacity 4.2-litre engine and six-speed automatic transmission, contributes to major improvements in the driving experience.

At the heart of the revised XK range are two new 4.2-litre V8 engines, one naturally aspirated, the other supercharged.

An evolution of the now-familiar 4.0-litre AJ-V8 engine that was introduced in the first XK8, the larger capacity and subsequent increase in power and torque make the performance of the XK even more scintillating.