Jaguar S-Type

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

Jaguar S-Type
Jaguar S-Type (1999–2007)
Overview
Manufacturer	Jaguar Cars
Production	1999–2007
Model years	2000-2008
Assembly	Birmingham, England Taiwan (Ford Lio Ho) (assembly)
Designer	Geoff Lawson (1995) Ian Callum (2004 Facelift)
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size luxury car / Executive car (E)
Body style	4-door notchback saloon
Layout	FR layout
Platform	Ford DEW98 platform
Related	LINCOLN LS
Powertrain
Engine	petrol 2.5 V6 3.0 V6 4.0 V8 4.2 V8 4.2 S V8 diesel 2.7 V6
Transmission	5-speed manual 5-speed Ford 5R55E automatic 6-speed semi-automatic 6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	114.5 in (2,908 mm)
Length	2006-08: 193.1 in (4,905 mm) 2002-05: 192.0 in (4,877 mm) 2000-01: 191.3 in (4,859 mm)
Width	2006-08: 71.6 in (1,819 mm) 2000-05: 71.6 in (1,819 mm)
Height	2000-03: 55.7 in (1,415 mm) 2004-05: 56.0 in (1,422 mm) 2006-08: 57.0 in (1,448 mm)
Kerb weight	1,800 kg (3,968 lb)
Chronology
Successor	Jaguar XF (X250)

The Jaguar S-Type was an executive car that debuted at the 1998 Birmingham Motor Show and was marketed by Jaguar for model years 1999-2008, reviving the nameplate of the company's 1963-68 S-Type as a four-door notchback saloon. The S-Type received a mild facelift for model year 2005. The 2002 S-Type 4.2 Supercharged V8 at the time, was the fastest road production saloon car in the world. The S-Type was discontinued in late 2007 and replaced by the XF.

Overview

After being privatised in 1984, Jaguar had been developing a smaller saloon to complement the XJ6 by the early 1990s, but these plans were axed following its takeover by Ford in 1989, only to resurface within a few years.

1999–2004 Jaguar S-Type sedan (Australia)

The S-Type was produced at Jaguar's Castle Bromwich facility in Birmingham, England. The car was styled by Geoff Lawson in 1995 and is based on the Jaguar DEW platform/Ford DEW platform, shared with the LINCOLN LS and Ford Thunderbird.It was unveiled at the Birmingham International Motor Show on 20 October 1998, and went on sale in January 1999. It was aimed at buyers of cars including the BMW 5 Series.

The first S-Types ("X200" 1999–2002) are distinguished by a U-shaped centre console and optional touchscreen navigation system in the 2003 and later models. The traditional leaping jaguar hood ornament was optional even though it is approved by the US and EU standards and breaks away in the case of an accident. Subsequent models ("X202", "X204", "X206"; the last digit denoting the model year) have the Jaguar logo incorporated within the radiator grille and a more traditional 'looped' styling for the centre console. In Australia, the "jag" bonnet ornament did not become available until 2004.

The supercharged S-Type R (Jaguar STR for short) joined the lineup in 2002, and the hope was that it would compete with BMW's M5 and the Mercedes E55 AMG. The R was powered by the newly revised hand-built 4.2-Litre V8 with an Eaton M112 supercharger, producing 400 hp (298 kW; 406 PS) and could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 5.3 seconds (0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.6 s). The top speed was limited to 155 mph. It included 18-inch (457-millimeter) alloy wheels, wire-mesh grille, and monochromatic paint. The R also has a 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 fenders (wings).

Later models of the S-Type R featured a revised pulley system for the Eaton M112 supercharger, allowing it to produce an extra 20 hp (15 kW; 20 PS).

Also added on the 2003 model was an electronic parking-brake paddle-switch that replaced the conventional manually operated lever for the rear brakes. For the 2003 model year, the Jaguar S-type was given a six-speed, automatic ZF 6HP26 transmission as well as a revised 3.0-litre V6 engine with 235 hp (175 kW) (US spec) versus 210 hp (157 kW) for the 1999 to 2002 models. The 2003 model featured a revised dash, centre console, and a grille with the Jaguar badge to give the vehicle a more Jaguar-like appearance, and a flip-open key was devised for the ignition.

2006-08 Jaguar S-Type (North America)

A minor facelift on the 2005 model year featured redesigned front and rear aprons, a slightly modified grille, remodeled rear light clusters, an aluminium bonnet, and a new 2.7-litre V6 diesel engine with 207 hp (154 kW). The windscreen washer jets were incorporated into the windscreen wiper arms. There were no changes made to the cabin interior. 2006 to 2008 models featured no fog lights.

Powertrain

The S-Type was powered by a variety of petrol and diesel engines. At launch, the V8 S-Type was powered by the 4.0L Jaguar AJ-V8 engine, the capacity of which was increased to 4.2L in 2002. Variants of this engine are used in Ford, LINCOLN, Land Rover/Range Rover and Aston Martin models. V6 engines used are the Ford Duratec unit which is used extensively throughout the Ford model range (and in Ford subsidiary companies). The 2.5 L V6 engine was not available for vehicles exported to the United States and Canada. Diesel engines are the Ford/Peugeot 2.7L HDi Ford AJD-V6/PSA DT17 which is used in a number of Ford, Peugeot, Citroen, Jaguar and Land Rover models.

From model years 1999 to 2002, the rear-wheel-drive S-Type was equipped with either a five-speed manual (Getrag 221) or a five-speed J-Gate Ford 5R55N transmission . From 2003, the S-Type was produced with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a six-speed J-Gate transmission that allows automatic gear selection or clutchless manual gear selection. The 2004 diesel saw the introduction of a 6-speed manual transmission; it was also available with the six-speed J-Gate automatic transmission.

Specifications

Model	2.5 V6 (Executive)		V6 Diesel (Classic/Executive)		3.0 V6 (Executive)		V8 (Executive)	V8 S/C (S-TYPE R)
Engine type and Number of cylinders	V6 - petrol		twin-turbo V6 - diesel		V6 - petrol		V8 - petrol	V8 - petrol supercharged (Eaton)
Displacement	2,497 cc		2,720 cc		2,967 cc		4,196 cc
Power	147 kW (200 PS; 197 hp) @ 6,800 rpm		152 kW (207 PS; 204 hp) @ 4,000 rpm		181 kW (246 PS; 243 hp) @ 6,800 rpm		209 kW (284 PS; 280 hp) @ 6,000 rpm	291 kW (396 PS; 390 hp) @ 6,100 rpm
Torque	245 N⋅m (181 lb⋅ft) @ 4,000 rpm		435 N⋅m (321 lb⋅ft) @ 1,900 rpm		293 N⋅m (216 lb⋅ft) @ 4,100 rpm		411 N⋅m (303 lb⋅ft) @ 4,100 rpm	541 N⋅m (399 lb⋅ft) @ 3,500 rpm
Top speed	228 km/h (142 mph)	225 km/h (140 mph)	230 km/h (143 mph)	227 km/h (141 mph)	250 km/h (155 mph)	250 km/h (155 mph)	250 km/h (155 mph) (governed)
0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) (seconds)	8.6	9.9	8.5	8.6	6.9	6.9	6.5	5.6
Transmission	5-speed manual	6-speed automatic	6-speed manual	6-speed automatic	5-speed manual	6-speed automatic	6-speed automatic
Fuel consumption (According to EEC Directive combined) in l/100 km	9.5 L/100 km (30 mpg‑imp; 25 mpg‑US)	10.3 L/100 km (27 mpg‑imp; 23 mpg‑US)	6.8 L/100 km (42 mpg‑imp; 35 mpg‑US)	7.8 L/100 km (36 mpg‑imp; 30 mpg‑US)	10.3 L/100 km (27 mpg‑imp; 23 mpg‑US)	10.8 L/100 km (26 mpg‑imp; 22 mpg‑US)	11.5 L/100 km (25 mpg‑imp; 20.5 mpg‑US)	12.4 L/100 km (22.8 mpg‑imp; 19.0 mpg‑US)
By the manufacturer, as of March 2007

Safety

NHTSA 2008 S-Type	Rating
Side Driver:
Side Passenger:
Rollover 2WD:	(9.0%)

Reception

2004 Jaguar S-type with optional navigation package

The car was praised on its release for having a 'luxurious interior', 'creamy composure' and a 'class-leading' 'cosseting ride'. In particular, the 2.7 V6 twin-turbodiesel engine was described as 'a paragon of refinement, quietness, and fuel economy' by the European automotive press, with enough 'refinement and performance to wean anyone off petrol power'. The supercharged 'R' version was also praised for its speed and for 'proper rear-drive Jag' handling, however the lack of a limited-slip differential was criticised, along with whine from the Eaton supercharger. The car was described as the spiritual successor to both the Jaguar Mark 2 and the Ford Scorpio, inviting unfavourable comparisons to the Scorpio concerning the controversial styling of the S-Type.

However, in general the initial positive reception faded away as time passed, and the car attracted significantly more negative commentary as it aged. James May elaborated in 2004, stating that "in 15 or 20 years time, we'll look at the S-Type, and we'll think 'That's really awful.'" Jeremy Clarkson commented, "I think the S-type is basically like Beaujolais nouveau — awful when it came out and then just gets steadily worse as time passes." Clarkson panned the car in 2003 as 'Jaguar's weakest hour', and the 'weakest Jaguar ever', and said that he particularly disliked the styling, while James May harshly criticised the car, saying that he believed it was designed to appeal to the American and German markets, and that the styling pandered to common stereotypes of the UK held in those countries. Describing the radiator grille as 'goppingly awful', he said that the car 'sums up everything that's wrong with Jaguar', and that the vehicle annoyed him and was bettered by its successor, the Jaguar XF (X250). Richard Hammond described the car as 'hideous' and 'like something washed up on a beach', while James May said that it 'looks like a dead cod', and Jeremy Clarkson concluded that it was the worst-looking car on sale in 2004, although he did praise the diesel engine.