Despite its retro lines and olde worlde appeal, time has not stood still for Jaguar’s mid-ranger. Five years since first launch, the S-Type has had several facelifts and in its latest guise, the car is more athletic and better equipped.
Despite its retro lines and olde worlde appeal, time has not stood still for Jaguar’s mid-ranger. Five years since first launch, the S-Type has had several facelifts and in its latest guise, the car is more athletic and better equipped.
It is claimed that the AJD-V6 is the lightest unit of its type and size. The engine structure is made of compacted graphite iron (CGI) and has a four overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder configuration, second-generation common-rail direct injection with piezo-electric injector operation, a port de-activation (or variable swirl) intake system, and two variable geometry turbochargers featuring electronic variable nozzle technology and air-to-air intercooling.
The 2,7-litre engine’s maximum power output is 153 kW, which compares favourably with the output of the BMW 530d’s 3,0-litre straight six unit (150 kW) and the 2,7-litre five-cylinder turbodiesel in Mercedes-Benz’s E270 CDI (130 kW), but is bested by the 3,0 TDI quattro derivative of the recently-unveiled Audi A6 (165 kW). The Jaguar engine’s peak torque (435 N.m) is higher than that of the S-Type’s 4,2 -litre V8 petrol, better than that of the E270, but lower than the BMW and Audi’s figures.
The 2,7D S-Type is claimed to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 8,1 seconds (manual or 8,2 seconds in the automatic), with top speed in the region of 230 km/h. The company also claims a combined average fuel consumption of 7,06 litres/100 km and 5,68 litres /100 km in freeway driving.
The suspension updates introduced for 2002 are carried over to the new S-Type, including retuned dampers, revised spring rates, and low friction ball joints for a better handling balance and more consistent ride.
A new aluminium bonnet (sans washer nozzles, now incorporated into the wiper blades) saves 11 kg in weight, and features a pronounced central ridge that tapers towards a more upright grille. Inspired by the D-type’s grille, its shape is wider and shorter than before.
The characteristic droop in the S-Type’s rear is also a thing of the past. A new bumper and wrap-around rear lights have been added, and the boot has been raised by 25 mm. It features a sweeping new plinth for the Jaguar badge, stretching the full width of the lid.
The interior has a new instrument panel and a wider choice of colours and trim than before – including a sporty aluminium facia as standard on S-Type Sport and S-Type R models and a Bronze Madrona wood veneer option on other versions.
The new range also offers higher specification levels than the old. Servotronic variable-ratio power steering, ABS with brake assist, electronic parking brake, traction- and dynamic stability control, and adaptive restraint technology system in conjunction with front, side and side-curtain airbags, electric seats with memory function, dual-zone climate control and cruise control are standard.
The options list includes five new wheel styles, adaptive cruise control and forward alert, front park assist, computer active technology suspension, self-levelling xenon headlights and rain-sensing wipers.