Although the Jaguar MkV hinted at 'space, grace and pace', the elegant Jaguar MkVII brought more meaning to that slogan. Building on the success of the outgoing MkV model, the MkVII re-used the MkV chassis but gave it two important changes. The first was the elegant body which suggested both grace and pace and actually delivered a lot of space, and the second was the pace delivered by the 3442cc six cylinder dohc engine that had already been fitted to the Jaguar XK 120. The term 'MarkVII' was apparently given to the car to avoid confusion with the current Bentley MkVI. Launched in 1951 the MkVII was improved as the Mk VIIM in 1954 which was more powerful and had slight styling alterations. In 1956 the MkVIII was announced, gaining even more power and a revised body that had more open rear spats and a one-piece front windscreen. In 1959 the XK engine was upgraded to 3781cc from the Jaguar XK150, and then replaced in 1961 with the all new Jaguar MkX.