Apologies if this is old news, but I just read in Car magazine that the 2002 Jaguar XJ8 replacement car will join the A8 with an all Aluminum bodyshell. The new A8 will be introduced in March 2002 with the Jag later, probably around the October British motor show time.
A lighter XJ8/R with enough headroom would be a serious competitor to A8 and others.
Expect a battle royal between Jag/BMW/Audi and Mercedes by then, as all will have cars in all classes (the new A4/3series size Jag will be in production by then), and all will be in Formula 1 competition too (except audi....)

(Oh BTW USP=Unique Selling Point)

The new "affordable" Bentley (now part of VAG) is supposed to be an all-aluminum 4-door with AWD. Engine? Who knows. But at last year's Geneva motor show the company displayed a mid-engined sports car with a 16-cylinder motor.

Now the only question is, "when your cheapest model costs $210,000, what kind of money does the word 'affordable' connote?"