Background: Jaguar certainly had a lot riding on the mid-size S-Type when it first debuted in 1999 as a 2000-model year product. The rear-wheel drive sedan represented the first major new product from Jaguar since Ford Motor Co. purchased a controlling interest in the niche British car maker back in 1989. While the public today has grown accustomed to automakers merging or absorbing major chucks of stock from one another, back in 1989, the process was not so commonplace and both Ford and Jaguar took their share of media jabs at the time. In order to turn Jaguar into a profit making entity, Ford took some necessary steps. S-Type shares an automotive platform with the rear-drive Lincoln LS (another Ford Motor Co. product), but both have distinct looks and attributes. Automakers turn to shared platforms to reduce costs by utilizing similar technology and under body parts throughout several products, while creating distinct exterior stylings. The rear-wheel-drive S-Type sedan boasts an available, supercharged engine in 2003. The United States is by far Jaguar's largest market. In 2001, 44,532 cars were sold. That number jumped to 61,204 in 2002. Compare that with just 18,000 units sold back in 1984. Worldwide, Jaguar now sells more than 100,000 cars a year annually. Total S-Type sales since 1999 have topped 140,000 units. In addition to the mid-luxury S-Type, the 2003 Jaguar model line includes the volume-leading, all-wheel drive X-Type sedan (introduced in the 2002 model year), XK coupe and convertible and the flagship, top-of-the-line XJ sedan. The S-Type competes in the marketplace with mid-level performance sedans including the BMW 5-Series, Lexus GS and Audi A6. The S-Type is manufactured in Castle Bromwich, England.
Engine/trim level: The S-Type is available in one six-cylinder version and two eight cylinder selections (including a supercharged version). Displacement and horsepower in the V-8 engine have been bumped up this year. The new 4.2-liter, eight-cylinder naturally aspirated engine replaces the departing 4.0-liter version and produces 294 horsepower, five more than last year. In supercharged form, the engine produces 390 horsepower propelling the car from zero to 60 miles per hour in 5.3 seconds. The 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine produces 235 horsepower with mileage ratings of 18 miles per gallon in the city and 26 m.p.g. highway, both up from last year. The fuel tank holds 18.4 gallons of unleaded fuel. Six cylinder engines work in tandem with the standard five-speed manual transmission while the two V-8 editions come with six-speed automatic. The six-speed automatic is optional with the six-cylinder engine.
Standard features: All S-Type editions include: power driver and passenger seats, leather seating surfaces, dual zone climate control with air conditioning, power windows, power locks, rear window defroster, intermittent front wipers, cruise control, speed-proportional power steering, remote trunk and fuel door release buttons electronically adjustable steering column and AM/FM/single-feed compact disc player. The vehicle comes pre-wired for an in-vehicle phone. Options include a multi-function DVD satellite navigation system, voice-activated controls and six-disc compact disc changer.
Price: Jaguar supplied the Daily Herald with a six-speed manual edition with the V-6 engine. Starting price checked in at $41,850. When adding in the optional $2,000 sport package (leather-trimmed steering wheel, sport-tuned suspension, sport bucket seats) and $645 destination charge, the bottom line reached $44,495. The naturally aspirated V-8 starts at $49,330 while the turbo "R" edition checks in at $61,775. In contrast, a BMW 5-Series with eight-cylinder power starts at $70,400 while a Cadillac Deville with a V-8 engine lists at $44,400.
Inside: In the 2003 model year, Jaguar redesigned the interior and now provides a more comfortable environment. Maple veneered trim adorns the steering wheel, dashboard and all four doors. Cruise control functions are on the steering wheel front along with secondary radio controls. Headlights activate from the turn signal stalk while front windshield wipers operate from a right-side appendage. Remote fuel and trunk release buttons are conveniently on the far left of the dashboard, not on the floor next to the driver's bucket seat as is the case in many vehicles. The traditional-looking instrument panel includes four side-by-side, half-circle analog gauges; two center (speedometer and tachometer) flanked by smaller fuel and temperature readouts. Headlights activate from a cluster of buttons on the dashboard's far left side. A small ceiling caddy near the rear view mirror includes a storage area for sun glasses. Between the front bucket seats is an all-new electronic parking brake system, taking the place of a traditional handbrake pull lever. With models equipped with automatic transmission, the system operates without any driver input. The brake is applied automatically whenever the ignition key is removed, and released when the gear selector is moved from park. In manual-transmission editions, the parking brake is applied automatically when the ignition key is removed, but must be disengaged manually by pulling up on a half-circle handle when one is ready to roll. Permanently molded, dual cup holders are also between the front seats as are a storage bin, hinged at the back. The mid-size S-type handles two adults comfortably in back, three would be a crowd for any great length of time. Keep in mind the rear-drive transaxle hump running the length of the floor steels away some leg room. For those in back looking for a place to store cans of pop, two cup holders retract into the center seat cushion. An arm rest folds down from the center seat cushion.
Outside: The S-Type provides a different styling depending on the angle one looks at the vehicle. From the front, the distinctive front region with leaping cat (or as Jaguar puts it, the Growler) hood ornament. and dual circular headlights flanking an unmistakable oval chrome grille says "Jaguar." Looking from the back, the S-Type bears a resemblance to the Ford Taurus. The S-Type incorporates the same oval window popularized on the Ford's top-selling sedan. Flush-mounted, oval shaped door handles are body color and the locking oval shaped fuel door is on the right-side fender. A full-size spare tire stows under the 14.1 cubic-foot trunk's flat floor. The trunk volume is about average when compared with other mid-size luxury rivals. Sixteen-inch wheels come standard on the six-cylinder model while 17-inch varieties accompany eight-cylinder offerings.
Warranty: All Jaguar's include a four-year/50,000-mile (whichever comes first) powertrain warranty covering both the drivetrain and basic parts (excluding filters, wiper blades, brake pads, etc.). The corrosion warranty is good for six years with unlimited miles. A roadside assistance program is available for four years or 50,000 miles.
Safety features: Dual stage front driver and passenger air bags come standard as do side curtain air bags for both front and rear occupants. Also standard are an alarm system, energy-absorbing seats, automatic headlight activation, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, rear door child safety locks and traction control. All models include rear parking sensors that make a beeping sound when the vehicle is in reverse and approaches a low-lying object. Electronically adjustable brakes are optional on the six-cylinder model and standard with the two eight-cylinder offerings. The S-Type also features a version of Ford Motor Company's "Beltminder" system that sounds a "ping" alert periodically for five minutes or so or until the driver buckles up.
Final thoughts: The S-Type could offer the best overall bang for the buck. The XJ Series starts at $57,000 while the XK Series can be had for $70,000. The S-Type still turns heads with its unique front end when traveling down the road and features a very smooth ride associated with the rear-wheel drive platform. The six-cylinder had more than enough punch for my tastes around town and on the highway, but for those thrusting for more power, a turbo V-8 is available. An upgraded suspension system for 2003 helps smooth out the ride as well. The entry-level X-Type from Jaguar costs less then the S-Type, but the X-Type's all-wheel drive design takes some of the performance fun out of the equation. Jaguar recently announced a diesel engine will be available in X-type during the 2004 model year. Our six-cylinder test drive car did not include the new, optional touch screen for controlling ventilation controls and other functions which was probably a good thing. It's sometimes more comforting to use dials and buttons. The same holds true for voice activation systems in general which still have some bugs to work out. |