Jaguar S-Type

Jaguar S-Type at a glance

The other generations of Jaguar saloons are listed in our Jaguar catalogue.

Generations

The original S-Type (1963-1968)

The first S-Type was a bridge between the compact Mark 2 and the large Mark X. It used the Mark 2's unitary bodyshell with a longer tail and a lower, flatter roofline, and it adopted a scaled version of the Mark X's independent rear suspension in place of the Mark 2's live axle. That made it about 152 kg heavier than the Mark 2.

Buyers could choose a four-speed manual, the same with Laycock overdrive, or a three-speed Borg-Warner 35 automatic; from October 1964 the manual had synchromesh on first gear too. Contemporary tests recorded 0-97 km/h (0-60 mph) in 10.2 seconds and 196 km/h (122 mph) for the 3.8 with manual and overdrive. Only the 3.8 was sold in the United States.

Production peaked at 9,741 cars in 1965. The Jaguar 420 of 1966 was meant to replace it but the two were sold side by side until 1968, when the XJ6 succeeded both.

The X200 S-Type (1999-2007)

Jaguar unveiled the second S-Type at the Birmingham International Motor Show on 20 October 1998, and production began at Castle Bromwich in March 1999. Its styling, by Geoff Lawson, deliberately echoed the 1960s car. Underneath, it was a product of the Ford era: the DEW98 platform was shared with the Lincoln LS and the eleventh-generation Ford Thunderbird.

The car evolved in three steps:

• 1999-2002: launch range with 3.0 V6 and 4.0 V8 (plus 2.5 V6 outside North America), a five-speed J-gate automatic, a U-shaped centre console and an optional leaping-cat bonnet mascot designed to break away in an accident.
• 2002-2003: the supercharged S-Type R arrives in 2002; for the 2003 model year the V8 grows to 4.2 litres, a six-speed ZF automatic replaces the five-speed, the dashboard and console are redesigned and an electronic parking brake replaces the lever.
• 2004-2007: a facelift credited to Ian Callum with new front and rear aprons, grille and rear lights, an aluminium bonnet, washer jets in the wiper arms and the new 2.7 V6 diesel.

Production ended in 2007, although North American model years ran to 2008. The XF that followed used a modified version of the same platform.

Engines, transmissions and performance (X200)

The V6 petrol engines belong to Ford's Duratec family. The S-Type R is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph); Wikipedia's text also quotes about 298 kW (400 hp) for it. Transmissions were a five-speed Getrag manual for V6 petrol models, a six-speed manual for the diesel, the five-speed Ford automatic until 2002 and the six-speed ZF 6HP26 automatic from 2003, both with Jaguar's J-gate selector. To translate period hp figures, use our power converter.

Dimensions, space and boot

The figures are for the X200. Auto Express quotes 400 litres of boot space and found it short on height and smaller than rivals' boots. The rear seats split 60:40, but the wide transmission tunnel means the back is best for two adults. The 1960s S-Type was 4,750 mm long on a 2,730 mm wheelbase and weighed about 1,625 kg.

Fuel economy and running costs

Auto Express recorded a combined 36 mpg (about 7.8 l/100 km) for the 2.7 diesel with the six-speed automatic and described residual values as acceptable. The review also found that Jaguar dealers were highly rated by owners but charged high prices. Official figures for the petrol versions are not in our sources. For your own numbers, try the fuel cost calculator.

Trims and equipment

Auto Express judged standard equipment fairly generous for the price. The car was praised for its interior and ride on launch, though by 2006 the reviewers found the dashboard dated next to German rivals, if robust and logical. The 2003 update brought the Jaguar logo into the grille and a flip-open key.

Safety

Our sources show no Euro NCAP test for either S-Type; the 1960s car long predates crash testing. The X200 introduced a breakaway bonnet mascot designed to fold in an accident. US authority NHTSA tested the 2008 model-year car, but its published star counts are incomplete in our sources, so we do not quote them.

Reliability and known issues

Our sources do not document model-specific failures for the X200, so we do not list any. The road-test criticisms are on record: larger wheel options thump over sharp bumps, tyre noise is noticeable on concrete, and the S-Type R lacks a limited-slip differential and has audible supercharger whine. On the positive side, the 2.7 diesel was widely praised in Europe for refinement, quietness and economy.

Rivals

Auto Express also named the Audi A6 and the Citroën C6 HDi as rivals. New prices from the period are not shown because they are not comparable with today's euros; use our comparison tool to set the cars side by side.

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