The Jaguar S-Type was a model of 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, replaced by the XF.
Video Jaguar S-Type
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.
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 touch-screen 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 (300 kW; 410 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. With the electronic limiter removed, the S-Type R could reach 191 mph, and with simple supercharger pulley upgrades and ECU modifications, can be tuned to produce in excess of 500 bhp with a top speed in excess of 200 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 (160 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.
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.
Maps Jaguar S-Type
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, Landrover/Rangerover 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 Landrover 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
Safety
Reception
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 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 on this, saying in 2004 that 'in 15 or 20 years time we'll look at the S-Type, and we'll think 'That's really awful'', while Jeremy Clarkson replied 'I think the S-type is basically like Beaujolais nouveau - awful when it came out and then just gets steadily worse as time passes'. In addition, Jeremy Clarkson also 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 United Kingdom 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.
Retro style
The retro styling, 'drawing upon classic Jag styling cues', was very controversial on release, inviting more unfavourable comparisons to the Rover 75. Described by contemporary reviewers as 'not 100% successful', 'awkward', 'badly proportioned... with a wheel or two in the past', 'outdated', and 'distinctive' by pundits, the heavily criticised styling significantly dented the image of the car and may have reduced the Jaguar brand's appeal among younger buyers. However, some reviewers defended its 'retro Jaguar lines' as 'ageing pretty well', 'characterful', 'classical', 'nostalgic', and 'typical Jaguar', and said that the car "looked like it had just driven off the set of The Sweeney".
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.
References
External links
Source of article : Wikipedia
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