2003 Jaguar S-Type Review

Specifications

Sexy, Strong and Styling

Given the choice between the English and the French, most would say the latter is the more stylish nation.

Picture a Frenchman, and a handsome rogue in a jaunty beret, well-pressed trousers and fashionable leather shoes springs to mind; the same exercise with an Englishman leaves an image of worn sweaters, tatty tweed jackets and bad teeth.

Yet when it comes to automobiles, it is the English Jaguar that sits atop the global heap of stylish sedans, leaving French marque Renault in a waft of birds-eye maple dust. True, Detroit-based Ford now owns the keys to the Jaguar garage, but the exquisitely appointed and built 2003 S-Type is made in England and, with an updated exterior, interior and powerplant, recalls the glory days of Jaguar. Thats only fitting as the 2003 S-Types appearance borrows heavily from the first-ever S-Type, celebrating its 40th anniversary next year.

Of course, as much as the early S-Type sedan provided styling cues to Jag designers, the 2003 features performance, suspension and creature comforts that make the old car seem decidedly down-market.

The biggest news for the 2003 S-Type stable is the production, though limited, of the S-Type R, a supercharged, 400 horsepower super sedan that will no doubt give BMW M-Class and Mercedes AMG vehicles a run for their substantial money. Exclusive features on the R include a mesh wire front grille, rear spoiler, a unique front air intake and distinct rear bumper compared to the other two the base 3.0 and mid-priced 4.2 models in the 2003 stable. The V6 3.0 model returns with a five-speed manual transmission.

Replacing last years 281-horsepower 4.0-litre V8 powered S-Type 4.0 is the S-Type 4.2, with a 300 horsepower V8. All V8s come with a six-speed automatic tranny, optional on the 3.0. Every S-Type gets a retuned suspension and adds an antiskid system to standard traction control and antilock four-wheel disc brakes.

My tester was the S-Type 4.2, and despite not having a supercharged engine, the smooth, strong and subtle new V8 provided more than enough power.

But as much as I enjoyed the new engine and improved suspension, I cant help but think something is lacking when compared with BMWs, Mercedes and even Audis in the same high-end price range.

This point in fact - that Jaguars typically dont measure up to the high-performance sport sedans of Germany - is difficult to dispute, yet the British automaker is making some headway in this country. In the past year alone, Jaguar has posted a number of record sales breaking months. The 2003 S-Type should continue that strong trend, but Im still not convinced those in the market for an upscale Euro-sedan will even consider checking out their local Jag dealership.

Why? Jaguars, from my experience, appeal to a very small segment of the motoring public, and typically an emotional attachment to the past is the reason many very bright and successful people have owned, and own one. It most definitely has something to do with the British carmakers hardly stellar reliability record, even though such dark days are far in Jaguars past. But “Jag-ophiles” arent concerned. Ask them why they buy the brand and theyll tell you, “Because its a Jaguar.”

Ford has had a lot to do with Jaguars success of late, and while many Jaguar fans are aghast that working class parts find their way into the elite Briton - the S-Type shares a platform with the Lincoln LS, for instance - the simple fact of the matter is that the U.S. automaker brings solid production skills and nearly 100 years of experience to the table.

The 2003 S-Type, and especially the R model, will go a long way in advancing Jaguars inroads into the North American marketplace. The new S-Type has all the creature comforts found in the competition, but has something the German sedans just cant match. And thats style.

Say what you will about Jaguars, they epitomize stylish motoring. Always have.