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Jaguar S-Type sedan rolls out as all-new cat from Coventry
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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COVENTRY, England -- Gigantic robotic machines at a renovated assembly plant in Coventry, England, manhandle the steel unibody skeleton of a new mid-size Jaguar luxury sedan like it was merely a featherweight pillow.
The car, moving through the vast Castle Bromwich factory on a series of automated conveyors, gradually comes together with doors and windows applied, and finely crafted interior appointments including seats for five.
At various assembly stations it receives either a revamped Jaguar V8 or new V6 engine, along with independent suspension components in lively wishbone geometry, rack and pinion steering, plus a number of high-tech innovations for performance and safety.
The sleek shell of this new sedan also attaches through a slow process which eventually reveals characteristic hints of classic Jaguar lines from past models.
A bowed profile with roofline slinking to a low tail evokes images of the popular Mark 2 saloon car from the 1950s, for instance, while twin bulges over headlamps as defined in a sensuous sweep rearward across a long sloping hoodline may also be found more recently in past and current editions of Jaguar's full-size XJ sedans.
But that unique prow with pairs of oval articulated headlamps flanking an unusually bold grille wrapped in chrome: It may carry the DNA of a Jaguar, as the car's director of styling, Geoff Lawson, suggests, although the look is new and different, and downright provocative.
At the end of the assembly line, Jaguar's quality control inspectors examine the completed product, coated now in subdued paint shades like mint green or a creamy ivory, before checking it off as one of a projected 85,000 destined to flow out of this plant on an annual basis.
From Coventry, the new Jaguar -- entitled S-Type -- moves to a worldly market, with a significant share of all production models targeted at the United States.
The S-Type lands stateside this spring as the first entirely new product to come out of Jaguar since its acquisition by Ford Motor Company in 1989.
Ford's infusion of capital, production expertise, parts resourcing 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 through the implementation of efficient assembly techniques and more reliance on robotics, while warranty repair costs -- meaning things that go wrong with the vehicle -- 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 ranked only in 31st position among all automakers in the index of satisfaction from customers, yet by 1998 the brand had climbed up to seventh place overall to compete in league with other ultra luxury labels like Lexus and Mercedes.
Designs of the S-Type orient around a new rear-drive platform developed jointly between Jaguar and Ford. Ford will apply the structure to a new mid-size Lincoln LS and share key mechanical components, including a new V6 engine.
Yet the styling of S-Type remains exclusively -- and obviously -- inherent with Jaguar.
What's in the name?
It traces through Jaguar history to 1963 and the 3.8 S, which amounted to a luxurious performance version of the Mark 2 sedan. The S-Type of that era boasted of 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.
A refined interior of the original S-Type featured reclining bucket seats and lavish applications of leather and fine hardwood veneers.
The new incarnation of S-Type also shines with opulent interior appointments, and it contains technological advances pitched on the leading edge of engineering design.
Engines for S-Type use either six or eight cylinders.
The 4.0-liter aluminum 90-degree V8 plant, designed by Jaguar and built at a Ford factory in Wales, features dual overhead cams with continuously variable camshaft timing. It produces heady muscle to 281 hp.
The new 3.0-liter 60-degree V6, constructed at Ford's engine plant in Cleveland, O., 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 pitches the V6 at the top of its class with 80 hp per cylinder. Torque achieves a strong and broad band, by the way, with 90 percent of peak torque maintained between 2500 and 6000 rpm.
Either engine links to a new five-speed electronic automatic transmission which features Jaguar's familiar J-gate shifter and push-button selections for normal and sport shift patterns.
&&& The fully independent double wishbone suspension puts in front Jaguar's traditional unequal-length control arms arranged to provide anti-dive effect under braking. In back, the independent wishbone design blocks tail lift when braking and squat when accelerating.
&&& Structural concepts for this suspension stem directly from Jaguar's experience in constructing agile racing machines. Like racers, the S-Type will cut a quick corner and hold a hard line through complicated movements, but like a luxury car dampen bumps and silence pavement chatter.
&&& A Sport Package upgrade for S-Type adds sophisticated electronic controls which automatically vary suspension shock damping from soft to firm in order to maximize rider comfort, car handling and driver control.
Speed-sensitive variable-assist power rack and pinion steering and four-wheel disc brakes with computerized anti-lock controls and electronic brake distribution enhance the S-Type's motion maneuvers. Also, a dynamic stability control system, which applies brake and throttle automatically to correct potentially dangerous yaw behavior, is in place.
Inside the S-Type, fittings fit for royalty appear in profusion. Seats, covered in rich leather, feel firm and infinitely comfortable, and they adjust with power controls featuring memory settings. Glossy bird's-eye maple lines dash and doors and console, while classic analog instruments dot the instrument panel.
An innovative optional voice-control system enables driver to depress a toggle on the steering wheel, then speak a few key words to activate on-board tools like the climate controller, navigation system, stereo or a hands-free phone.
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 2000 JAGUAR S TYPE Specs |
| Description: |
Mid-size sport luxury sedan
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| Model Options: |
Mid-size sport luxury sedan
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| Wheelbase: |
114.5 inches
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| Overall Length: |
191.4 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 3.0-L V6
DOHC 4.0-L V8
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| Transmission: |
Auto/5
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| Drive: |
Rear
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| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS/TCS
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| Airbags: |
2 (front) + 2 (side)
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| Gas Mileage: |
V8: 16/25 mpg
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| Price: |
$ 42,000 to $ 55,000 |
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