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.[4] It was unveiled at the Birmingham International Motor Show on 20 October 1998.[5]
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 optional traditional leaping jaguar bonnet mascot 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 "leaper" bonnet mascot did not become available until 2004. The supercharged S-Type R joined the lineup in 2002 as a competitor to BMW's M5 and the Mercedes E55 AMG. The R was powered by the newly revised hand-built 4.2-Litre AJ V8 with an Eaton M112 supercharger, producing 400 hp and capable of accelerating the car from 0 to 60 mi/h in 5.3 seconds (0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 s). The top speed was limited to 155 mph. It included 18-inch 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 wings.
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 (US spec) versus 240 hp 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, with a flip-open key devised for the ignition.
A minor facelift on the 2004 model year featured redesigned front and rear aprons, a slightly modified grille, remodelled rear light clusters, an aluminium bonnet, and a new 2.7-litre V6 diesel engine with 207 hp. The windscreen washer jets were incorporated into the windscreen wiper arms. There were no changes made to the cabin interior. 2006 to 2007 models featured no fog lights.
There were 291,386 S-Types produced during its production run of 1999 to 2007.
