NAME dropping is not always an endearing characteristic - but the driver who delivered Jaguar's XF Sportbrake R-Sport for my perusal was impossible to dislike despite being full of it.

Hardly had he handed me the keys than he was regaling my other half and I with tales of delivering Big Cats to any number of A-listers.

Apparently just a couple of weeks earlier he'd had to drop one off at the Warwickshire pile of James Bond star Daniel Craig for his actress wife Rachel Weisz while Brad Pitt, it seems, also likes to have a Jag at his disposal when he's in the UK.

And Prince Andrew (or was it Edward? I admit I was glazing over a bit by then) is not averse to going about his business in one either.

Counting showbiz royalty as well as the real thing among its fans is a clear demonstration of the high regard in which Jaguar is held these days.

It wasn't clear whether any of these big-name freeloaders, they can all afford to buy a fleet of Jags, for heaven's sake - had opted for the Sportbrake.

If they had, though, they would not have been disappointed as this car has real star quality.

It may have taken Jaguar a few years to come up with an estate version of its best-selling XF saloon - but it was worth the wait.

Unveiled in 2012, more than four years after the original car, the Sportbrake has added some versatility and practicality to the XF's trademark sportiness and luxury.

Looks are still sleek and stylish with the Sportbrake sharing the same chassis and front end as the saloon but being reworked from the door pillars back to accommodate the higher roofline and extra load space.

It grows by just 5mm in overall length but offers and extra 48mm of headroom for rear passengers, who will feel much more comfortable as a result. An intrusive transmission tunnel will, however, have to be negotiated by anyone sitting in the middle.

Boot space is a key selling point for any estate and, although not the biggest in class, the Sportbrake's is a match for most rivals.

It offers 550 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and some 1,675 with them folded flat - and there are some neat practical touches too.

The 60/40 split rear seats can be folded in an instant by simply pulling a lever in the luggage compartment, the floor is flat and there are rails with adjustable fastenings to help secure your items. Most models also benefit from a powered tailgate.

Petrol power is shunned, with a choice of two diesel engines lifted out of the saloon - a sprightly but economical 2.2-litre with a choice of 163 or 200ps or the 3.0-litre V6 with either 240 or 275ps.

The 240ps version of the latter effortlessly handled the extra bulk of the Sportbrake and will shift it from 0-60mph in less than seven seconds and on to a top speed of 149mph.

Behind the wheel there's little to suggest that you're in an estate car - the drive is as engaging and enjoyable as that of the saloon.

The eight-speed automatic transmission is impressively slick and acceleration smooth from almost any starting point.

And so effortless is bounding along on the motorway that you'll feel like you're doing 40mph when you're actually eating up the road at closer to 70mph.

Handling is sharp and precise and the extra real-estate of the Sportbrake is well controlled thanks, in part, to the inclusion of a self-levelling air suspension at the rear which also helps to absorb the lumps and bumps of dodgy road surfaces.

The interior is plush with quality materials used throughout and features the trademark Jaguar Drive Control which rises out of the centre console and air vents that sweep open dramatically when you press the start button, just as in the saloon.

Standard equipment is generous with the mid-range R-Sport trim car boasting sporty body kit, 18-inch alloys, premium stereo with DAB radio, Bluetooth, sat nav, leather and suede upholstery, seven-inch colour touchscreen media interface, climate control, stability and cruise control.