2000 Jaguar S-TYPE Review

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COVENTRY, England - The gigantic robots at Jaguar's renovated assembly plant in Coventry can manhandle the steel unibody of the new midsize Jaguar like a feather pillow.

Moving through the vast Castle Bromwich factory on a series of automated conveyors, the new S-Type bodies gradually come together as the doors and windows are applied and finely crafted interior appointments (including seats for five) are installed.

Although the new assembly line may not resemble the old Jaguar plant except in passing, the S-Type body clearly recalls Jag sedans of the past, making the vital link between yesterday's lithe sports sedans and today's midsize executive express.

Forward Into The Past
The new S-Type has been styled to recall the famed Jaguar hallmarks: the bowed profile, the sinking roof line and the low tail evoke images of the 1950s Mark II saloon; the twin bulges over headlamps are echoes of past and current XJ sedans. And then there are details that make bold statements about today's Jaguar, such as the oversize chrome grille that carries as much old Jaguar DNA as it does the new impulse of head stylist Geoff Lawson.

Even the name recalls past Jaguar glory. It harks to 1963 and the 3.8 S, which amounted to a luxurious performance version of the Mark II sedan. The S-Type of that era boasted a powerful engine and advanced technology with an independent rear suspension, disc brakes and limited-slip differential, all rare components for an automobile at the time.

Old or new, the details of the S-Type are part of a keen package that both Jaguar and parent Ford are hoping will gain them entry into a whole new market - younger, upscale luxury buyers who wouldn't consider a Lincoln and aren't ready to spend $65,000 on a larger Jaguar.

Coming To A Showroom Near You
The S-Type lands stateside this spring as the first entirely new product to come out of Jaguar since its acquisition by Ford Motor Co. in 1989.

Ford's infusion of capital, production expertise, parts sourcing and quality control has resulted in dramatic improvements of Jaguar's line in recent years. For instance, the labor required to assemble a product has been reduced significantly, while warranty repair costs have dropped by well over half.

Perhaps the more telling change comes from reports of customer satisfaction, as measured through surveys by J. D. Power and Associates. In 1989, Jaguar was 31st among all automakers in the index of satisfaction from customers. Yet by 1998 the brand had climbed up to seventh place overall, to compete with other ultraluxury labels like Lexus and Mercedes.

With the improved quality comes a rational approach to sharing platforms. The S-Type's rear-drive platform was developed jointly between Jaguar and Ford, but only the structure carries over to other products. Ford is using the same platform, with an entirely different skin, for the new Lincoln LS sedans.

That's "S", As In "Substantial"
Powertrains for the S-Type and the LS share some common pieces as well. The S-Type can be had with either a V-6 or a V-8. The V-8 is designed by Jaguar and built at a Ford factory in Wales, and features dual overhead cams with continuously variable camshaft timing that churn out 281 hp. The new 3.0-liter 60-degree V-6 - assembled at Ford's engine plant in Cleveland, Ohio, also uses twin cams and four valves per cylinder, with a chain camshaft drive and electronic sequential port-injection system. Output runs to 240 hp, which propels the V-6 to the front of its class with 80 hp per cylinder. Lincoln also will offer a V-6 or V-8, but the displacements and horsepower should be slightly lower to preserve Jaguar's sporting edge.

Either engine links to a new five-speed electronic automatic transmission, which features Jaguar's familiar J-gate shifter and pushbutton selections for normal and sport shift patterns.

The fully independent double-wishbone suspension uses Jaguar's traditional unequal-length control arms, arranged to provide anti-dive effect under braking. In back, the independent wishbone design limits tail lift when braking and squat when accelerating. A Sport Package upgrade for S-Type adds sophisticated electronic controls that automatically vary suspension damping by cycling the shocks from soft.

Speed-sensitive, variable-assist power rack-and-pinion steering enhances the S-Type's maneuverability, and four-wheel disc brakes with computerized anti-lock controls and electronic brake distribution yank it down quickly from speed. Jaguar also fits the S-Type with a dynamic stability-control system, which applies brake and throttle when the engine computer senses dramatic yaw behavior.

A Castle On Wheels
The S-Type's cabin is fit for royalty. Seats covered in rich leather feel firm and infinitely comfortable, and they adjust with power controls featuring memory settings. Glossy bird's-eye maple covers the dash, doors and console, while classic analog instruments make up the readable instrument panel. For technophiles, an innovative voice-activated control system allows the driver to speak his mind to the car - to activate controls for the air conditioning, navigation system, stereo or hands-free phone.

As a newfound player in the midluxury market, Jaguar may have hit its stride with the S-Type. Offering all the goodies of sophisticated German competitors with the character of a sporting English saloon sounds like a winning combination - especially if the quaint flaws of past British cars have been polished away.