Why is my Jaguar XF more expensive to tax than my S-Type, despite producing less CO2 emissions?

I am trying to obtain an explanation for the following. I recently sold my S-Type Jaguar, which was listed as having a CO2 emission of CO2 g/km of 274 and paid £245 for the tax renewal in 09/2010. I then purchased a Jaguar XF with a listed emission CO2 of 249 g/km and paid £425 for the tax renewal on 1 April 2011, representing a 73 per cent increase on a car with a slightly less CO2 emission. I have been unable to make contact with a human at the DVLA and their website doesn't help. Do you know whether this somewhat large increase was a result of the last budget? If so, I doubt whether many are aware of this.

Asked on 2 May 2011 by KM, Oakhill, Somerset

Answered by Honest John
There was an exemption for older cars first registered between 1-3-2001 and 23-3-2006 emitting more than 225g/km CO2 that put them in emission band K: £245 last year, £260 this year. All the changes in VED over the past 10 years are covered here: www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/vehicle-excise-duty/
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