The importance of the new Jaguar XF was summed up yesterday by Michael Quinn, grandson of the company's founder, Sir William Lyons.
After getting out of the first XF off the production line at Castle Bromwich, he said: "At the launch of any new Jaguar, my grandfather would be apprehensive and nervous it was going to be a success.
"There's no doubt looking at this car it will be a success. I certainly wish it well."
With falling sales and potential new owners running the rule over Jaguar, the new car certainly will carry a heavy responsibility when it goes on sale next March.
Paul Evans, a road tester and fitter, was the first person to drive the car off the production line, a reward for 25 years with the company.
"I was really proud and honoured. I was a little bit nervous, not as bad as I thought," said the 41-year-old from Coventry.
"It is excellent to drive, really comfortable. It is really smooth and comfortable.
I hope it really gets us back up there. I think we are on a winner."
Around 500 people have worked on the project over the last three and half years, led by chief programme engineer Mick Mohan.
H e s a i d : "There has been lots of beautiful Jags, this one looks modern and contemporary and shows the direction we can take Jaguar saloons.
"We would like to appeal to a younger customer, but also make sure it has broad appeal and still appeal to existing customers.
"If you think of Jaguars in the 1960s - the Mark ll and E type - they were very sexy. I look at this Jaguar and think we can be cool and sexy again."
Mr Mohan added the new car was a great example of what Midlands' manufacturing, engineering and design can achieve.
"This car has been created within a 30 mile radius of here. It is a great testimony to the fact that the British car manufacturing business is still very much alive."
It was also an emotional day for Ian Callum, Jaguar's design director who drafted the XF.
He said: "This is for me the boyhood dream, to see this car, which replaces the Mark II from all those years back, which I used to drool over as a young kid.
"Undoubtedly this will help the sale process. Potential buyers have seen this car and I think it brings enormous value into the company."
