Bad guys drive Jags: Jaguar XJ12/Daimler Double Six

Engine: 6 litre V12 (366 cu in)
Power: 318 bhp (237 kW) @ 5400 rpm
Torque: 342 ft lb (464 Nm) @ 3750 rpm

0-60 mph 6.80s
0-100 mph 16.50s
Top speed: 155 mph (250 kph) limited

The new Jaguar XJ, XJ6, XJ8 and XJR (Unfortunately no longer a luxury Daimler variants) have lost their old fashioned style (which you probably either loved or hated - I loved it myself) but are still made out of aluminium alloy making it very light despite its huge size. The latest engines include the 5.0 litre and 5.0 litre supercharged monsters. These cars may have gone away from that classic design, used since 1968, but they are still magnificent luxury cars, looking like a huge Jaguar XF. Most are now sold with extremely good, efficient diesel engines, but, if you can afford the petrol, a supercharged V8 perhaps suits the car best.

The Jaguar XJ6 was launched in 1968 and a remarkably similar looking XJ8 and XJ6 is still being made until 2009 (See photo below)

The Mark 1 was made from 1968 until 1992 and is the real classic, although there are Series 1, 2 and 3 variants of that, and a two-door coupe. These had straight-six engines or the rare V12 in 5.3 litre form.

The early Mark 2 cars were of a new squarer more modern design for the late 1980s market and is generally considered less attractive, but then later reverted to a retro styled design (as reviewed above) still with the same old six cylinder and V12 engines

The Mark 3 had the same design as the late Mark 2 cars, but with a brand new range of V8 engines (and the wonderful ancient V12 was no longer used) The V8 is extremely good especially in the 4.2 litre supercharged variant and was the basis for the current Aston Martin Vantage engine (although that doesn't have a supercharger)

In 2006 the last "retro styled" Jaguar XJ was launched (see photo below) which was an aluminum alloy bodied car, far lighter and bigger than its predecessors, but still looking and feeling like a Jag. A Daimler variant was produced briefly, but this still caused confusion, especially in the US market, where the Daimler name is associated with Daimler-Benz (i.e. Mercedes) There were XJR, XJ6 and XJ8 (and rare Daimler Super V8 variants of the supercharged V8 version)

In 2009 the current Jaguar XJ was launched.