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Writer's Notes
2003 Jaguar S-TYPE specifications
Base price: $42,495 (3.0-liter V6) up to $62,400 (S-TYPE R)
Engine: 3.0-liter V6, 4.2-liter V8 or supercharged 4.2-liter V8 (S-TYPE R)
Transmission: Five-speed manual or six-speed automatic
Drive: Rear wheel drive
Maximum horsepower: 3.0-liter V6: 240 hp @ 6,800 rpm; 4.2-liter V8: 300 hp @ 6,000 rpm; supercharged 4.2-liter V8: 400 hp @ 6,100
Maximum torque: 3.0-liter V6: 221 lb.-ft. @ 4,100 rpm; 4.2-liter V8: 310 lb.-ft. @ 4,100 rpm; supercharged 4.2-liter V8: 408 lb.-ft. @ 3,500 rpm
Wheelbase: 114.5 in.
Length: 192.0 in.
Width: 81.1 in. with mirrors; 71.6 in. without mirrors
Height: 56.0 in.
Head/shoulder room: 40.5 in./56.4 in. (front); 36.9 in./56.7 in. (rear)
Trunk volume: 14.1 cu. ft.
Curb weight: 3.0-liter V6: 4736 lbs. (manual), 4806 lbs. (automatic); 4.2L V8: 4839 lbs.; S-TYPE R: 4938 lbs.
Fuel economy: N/A
Safety equipment: Four wheel ABS; dual stage front and side curtain and airbags; ventilated power assist disc brakes with electronic brake assist and electronically controlled parking brake; stability and traction control.
I am aware of not only the beautiful vistas, but of the quietness and refinement of this updated Jag, with technological advancements from its chassis to headlamps, sophisticated interior styling and royal road manners.
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S'Agoro, Spain: The Spanish Mediterranean is a cerulean blue and sparkles in the sunlight below parched white cliffs. I am driving the 2003 Jaguar S-Type along winding and narrow roads that ribbon the coast. Sitting in the lap of luxury, I slip the automatic transmission to the more sporty, manual shift mode called the "J-Gate" and power north toward the border of France. I love driving this manual transmission without a clutch. It's responsive and provides plenty of engine braking to slow for corners without using the brakes. I am aware of not only the beautiful vistas, but of the quietness and refinement of this updated Jag, with technological advancements from its chassis to headlamps, sophisticated interior styling and royal road manners. Plus, it's "easy on the eyes"-and, for the moment I think-what could be more fun to drive?
Some two hundred miles later, with a view of the French Alps in the foreground, I find the answer. I slip into the S-Type R, the high-performance flagship of this lineup. Perfect timing, I realize, as I now motor through the mountains and find plenty of open road with not a car in sight. I like the growl of the R's supercharged engine and its responsive power makes me feel like a race car driver for brief stretches of time as I fly through space. As much as I'm appreciative of the quick throttle response, I soon realize I'm not a race car driver and truly appreciate its powerful brakes and specially-tuned suspension of this performance version that help an everyday driver like me stay on the pavement. After all, I need to get back to the Spanish villa where I'm staying for cocktails and a dinner of paella later this evening.
Introduced in 1999, after Ford acquired and re-launched an ailing Jaguar brand, the S-TYPE has become the best-selling Jaguar in history. Following its debut, this British automaker's worldwide sales doubled in just over a year, and S-TYPE sales to date have reached 135,000.
An act like that is hard to follow. Repeating that remarkable introduction to the highly competitive luxury segment of the car market seems nearly impossible. If initial road tests are any indication, however, it seems these Brits may be building a new vehicle empire.
This cat's hide remains much the same as it did in previous model years, with some key enhancements and upgrades. The front grille is slightly changed from last year's model, with a signature "leaping" Jaguar hood ornament and "growler" Jag emblem. Xenon headlamps with optional headlamp leveling (standard on R models) accent the front.
Smooth sides with a curved beltline and new chrome window framing cut a distinctive profile. Other updates include new exterior mirrors with optional electrochromic dimming, new alloy wheel options and new badging on the rear.
At the top of this feline food chain is the S-TYPE R, a high-performance version that is powered by an all-new supercharged 4.2-liter, AJ-V8 delivering 400 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 408 lb.-ft. of torque at just 3,500. A very even torque curve means that at 1,300 rpm, the supercharged motor delivers more power than the normally aspirated version does at its peak.
Under the skin, the body is 10 percent more torsionally rigid, and lightweight magnesium adds strength to front seat frames, fascia structure and cross-car beams. The rear seat is based on lightweight, high-strength steel, with the exception of S-TYPE R models that have a structural 'shear ring' for further torsional stiffness.
While its visually pleasing, Jag's updated bestseller is most impressive under the hood, where two new engines offer better power and performance than ever before. Developed at Jaguar's Whitely Engineering Center in Coventry, England, the new engines showcase some serious technological sophistication.
The baseline motor is an improved version of the 3.0-liter AJ-V6 that has appeared in past models. Delivering 240 horsepower at 6800 rpm and maximum torque of 221 lb.-ft. at just 4100 rpm, the 3.0-liter sprints from 0-60 in just 7.3 seconds and has a top speed of 130 mph. Improvements from the previous incarnation include continuously Variable Cam Phasing (VCM) and a flatter torque curve. This motor is mated to a new, German-built Getrag five-speed manual transmission, with a six-speed automatic transmission available as an option.
Next up the line is the all-new 4.2-liter AJ-V8, which offers 300 horses at 6,000 rpm, a seven percent increase in horsepower over the previous 4.0-liter version. An eight- percent torque increase accompanies, with 310 lb.-ft. available at 4100 rpm. Available in S-TYPE and S-TYPE sport models, this engine's 0-60 time is 6.2 seconds, and top speed is an autobahn-friendly 130 mph. This engine also includes Variable Cam Phasing and a new branched inlet manifold that improves the air/fuel mix and distribution to the cylinders for better fuel economy and lower emissions. The 4.2-liter V8 model comes with six-speed automatic transmission.
At the top of this feline food chain is the S-TYPE R, a high-performance version that is powered by an all-new supercharged 4.2-liter, AJ-V8 delivering 400 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 408 lb.-ft. of torque at just 3,500. A very even torque curve means that at 1,300 rpm, the supercharged motor delivers more power than the normally aspirated version does at its peak. This new motor is mated to the ZF six-speed automatic transmission with "J-Gate" gear selector system on the joystick.
On the prowl, these new Jaguars are more nimble and stable, thanks to many improvements, including those in vehicle dynamics. The 3.0-liter V6 and 4.2-liter V8 versions with normal aspiration are bolstered by better rigidity and more refined, fully independent suspension systems. Available Computer Active Technology Suspension (CATS) regulates dampers to give these vehicles a road-feel similar to that of Jag's XKR. The stiffer body improves handling and minimizes noise and vibration in the cabin.
Large diameter, ventilated front and solid rear disc brakes are clearly visible behind spoked alloy wheels, and are backed by four-wheel ABS, with a bevy of technological supports such as "panic assist braking," an electronically controlled parking brake, electronic traction control and dynamic stability control.
If these handling and braking systems make the S-TYPE a stealthy cat, the racing genes of the S-TYPE R make it the king of the jungle. Race-engineered Brembo brakes, sport suspension and the CATS system give the powerful motor ample support on the road. A rear spoiler, 18-inch wheels and a red "R" badge shared with Jag's Formula One car add sporty flair.
Inside the cockpit, the S-TYPE R is distinguished by a leather-trimmed R Performance steering wheel and 16-way adjustable sport seats with bolsters, while all models include a redesigned fascia. Bird's eye maple veneer and a lightweight magnesium understructure accent the dash, steering wheel and door panels, while "racing green" dials and slender pointers update gauges. The center console is busy with multimedia dials and buttons, including an optional 7-inch wide-screen LCD touch-screen display, finger-tip optional DVD navigation system and standard electronic parking brake control.
The standard sound system is somewhat sub-par, offering only four speakers throughout the cabin and a single CD player. The optional system, with a 320-watt, ten-speaker system with trunk-mounted six-CD changer is a big step up.
Technological advances include optional electronically-adjustable pedals and the JaguarVoice control system, first introduced in 1999 and upgraded for 2003, which allows the driver to control climate, satellite navigation, audio and telephone systems hands-free.
The voice-activated control system makes for a safer ride, as does the standard Adaptive Restraint Technology System (ARTS). Essentially a high-tech system of electronic sensors, ARTS is derived from the 2001 XK sport car series. The system is backed by energy-absorbing seating, dual-stage front and side curtain airbags and optional anti-trap windows and sunroof.
Led by its new flagship R model, the 2003 S-TYPE lineup is poised to pounce on the competition with high performance and cutting-edge technology. Pricing for this complete package of luxury and speed doesn't come cheap. Regardless, this next-generation cat could be the pick of the luxury car litter.
--Story by Sue Mead
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