A fine example of this range topping, long wheelbase luxury limousine
Boasting a low, original mileage of under 50,000 miles
Powered by a 400bhp supercharged V8 offering supercar threatening performance
The final model to wear the Daimler badge
The Appeal
In 2006, and due to pent up customer demand, Jaguar returned a Daimler badged model to the pinnacle of the XJ range for the first time in seven years. Costing around £80,000 at the time, the long wheelbase Daimler Super Eight was a car suited to captains of industry and senior politicians alike.
It wasn’t just about cosseting its occupants to within an inch of their lives, either. The supercharged V8 under the sleek bonnet meant the driver could get them out of trouble in very short order if called upon. Not many long wheelbase limousines can boast a five second 0-60 mph time, after all.
The sumptuous interior is trimmed in soft Ivory leather and burr walnut veneer
The rear cabin is configured with two individual, electrically adjustable and heated seats
This Daimler boasts a plethora of luxurious and useful features and extras
In many cars of this era the rear seat passengers can feel like the slightly poor relations to those in the front. Not in this car, however! The rear cabin is an object lesson in limousine luxury with every passenger need catered for... and then some. The individual seats are electrically adjustable, heated and feature a three-setting memory function. TV tuneable DVD screens are fitted to the rear of the front headrests and a control panel for the four-zone climate system is present back here. The centre console contains a concealed audio and telephone control unit and privacy is afforded by retractable mesh screens for all rear windows.
Typical Daimler touches include the headrests monogrammed with the familiar sweeping “D” and the incredibly deep pile lambswool Daimler floor mats.
The front cabin is no less luxurious, of course. The same private club-esque combination of leather and burr walnut veneer is there in abundance. The level of equipment is breath taking too. Some highlights include electrically adjustable steering column and pedals, satellite navigation, heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel and electric tilt and slide glass sunroof. bJGyyjMwDoQSurKBY2wSSd9vlL6BsK6UfJVmrqe1.jpeg111.08 KB
The Exterior
The Daimler is finished in Midnight Pearl paintwork
It appears to be in great overall condition and exhibits a deep shine with obvious pearlescence
No significant blemishes or imperfections were noted or reported
As most Daimler Super Eight owners would expect, the car offers a subtle and restrained demeanour. The clues are there, however, that this is the prestigious range topping model. These include the signature “fluted” Daimler chrome grill surround and boot shut, chromed, and monogrammed wing blades and chromed wing mirror covers.
The car wears its extra length very well indeed and there are very few obvious signs that this is a supercharged V8 car with a top speed electronically limited to 155 mph. In Daimler circles, less really is more.
The car sits on Super Eight exclusive Vela 19-inch alloys with the familiar swept “D” on the centre caps. The wheels appear to be in great overall condition and are shod with quality Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres in a 255/40 R19 configuration.kPQexew2WE1iVPTgQBG1Ur5sAraUrYBNpZWTMmhC.jpeg150.93 KB
The Mechanics
This car is fitted with the 4.2L supercharged version of the AJ-V8 engine
Designated as the AJ33S, this engine is supercharged and intercooled
This unit was originally rated at 400 bhp and 408 Ib-ft of torque
Power is fed to the rear wheels via a six-speed ZF automatic gearbox
Read in isolation, the mechanical specification of this luxury limousine could be misleading. An aluminium body and suspension set up for optimum agility and 400bhp from a supercharged V8 engine? Surely the stuff of rip-snorting supercars. Usually, yes but not in this case.
Of course, every effort has been expended to insulate the lucky occupants of this car from any mechanical cacophony of any type. The laminated side windows and copious sound proofing makes this a car with a completely serene interior at all speeds and under any conditions.
The car has enjoyed a thorough maintenance regime both in Japan and since its return to the UK. Combine this with the low, original mileage and the benign climate and road conditions of Japan and it will not come as a surprise that this car is offered in a fine mechanical condition throughout.9S245uon9zBlrYxc9NRTsrYb9dVR8UQpOvtaMKWM.jpeg136 KB
Summary
What a fascinating car. The combination of its incredibly high specification, high performance and rarity value clearly works heavily in its favour. A total of only around 850 Daimler Super Eights were made with only a mere 350 in this final X358 configuration.
This is a pristine example, too, that ticks absolutely every box in terms of equipment, appointment, and quality. It is little wonder that these cars were a full £5,000 more than the most expensive Jaguar equivalent at launch.
It is hard to think of another car that offers the exalted levels of luxury, performance, and rarity that this example does, and at such an attainable price point. Surely an exciting ownership prospect for connoisseurs of fine British luxury saloons.
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