New Jaguar XJ

Salesman Tony Martin has been selling prestige cars for the best part of a quarter of a century, writes motoring editor Peter Carroll.

“Porsches, Lamborghinis, Bentleys, Aston Martins – I’ve sold them all in my time,” he says.

“But I have never been as excited about a new car as I am about this one…”

Tony, senior sales executive at Stratstone’s dealership in Wolverhampton, is talking about the impending arrival of the new Jaguar XJ.

In a few weeks’ time this car will take its place as the new flagship of the Big Cat brand – and Tony and his colleagues cannot wait to start selling it.

With prices starting at around £53,000, Stratstone staff have already taken a dozen orders from customers who have yet to drive the vehicle.