Jaguar S-Type

This article is about the modern S-Type. For the classic S-Type, see Jaguar S-Type (1963).

The Jaguar S-Type, introduced at the 1998 Birmingham Motor Show, is a mid-size luxury/executive car. The car went on sale 1999. The name was a revival of a previous Jaguar model, the S-Type introduced in 1963, while the bodywork appeared to have been inspired by the Jaguar Mark 2 of the same period.

Model history (1998-2008)

Overview

The S-Type was produced at Jaguar's Castle Bromwich facility in Birmingham, England. The car was styled by the late Geoff Lawson and is based on the Jaguar DEW platform/Ford DEW platform, which it shared with the now out-of-production Lincoln LS, but with substantial modifications.

The supercharged S-Type R joined the lineup in 2003, and the hope was that it would compete with BMW's M5 and the Mercedes E55 AMG. The "R" was powered by a supercharged V8 producing 400hp (300kW; 410PS) and could accelerate from 0 to 60mph (97km/h) in 5.3 s (0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 5.6 s). It included 18 in (457 mm) alloy wheels, wire-mesh grille and dramatic monochromatic paint. The "R" also has a sportier rear apron, side-skirts, and front apron with built-in fog-lamps, a rear spoiler, a brace located near the rear subframe, and "R" badging on the boot lid and both front wings. It was the most expensive S-Type, with a base price of £50,040 in the UK (US$58,995 in the United States).

Also added for 2003 model was an electronic parking-brake paddle-switch, which replaced the conventional manually-operated lever for the rear brakes.

A minor facelift in 2004 refined the S-Type's overall appearance, with the addition of redesigned standard front and rear aprons, slightly modified grille to include the Jaguar badge, remodeled rear light clusters, an aluminium bonnet, and a new 2.7 L V6 diesel engine. The windscreen washer jets were incorporated into the windscreen wiper arms. Internally, the center console was redesigned to incorporate the revised switch-gear and radio (or optional satellite navigation equipment).