STYLING changes that only a Jaguar aficionado would detect are enough to relieve some of the droopy-tailed stance of the S-Type without diluting the car’s distinctive – and polarizing – looks. The latest S-Type also claims a lift in perceived quality through tighter panel fit and changes to trim materials. Suspension tweaks notch-up the handling slightly too, although the rest of the package is basically as before. Which means a cosy, clubby interior, a suitably satisfying driver experience and a back seat that’s tighter than any of its German opposition. The normally aspirated 4.2-litre V8 delivers heart-warming performance but the combination of a relatively heavy body and a relatively small fuel tank means a limited cruising range.

Jaguar S-Type V8 SE
Released: March 99
Ended: September 04
Family Tree: S-TypeJaguar's mid-sized S-Type sedan arrived on sale in Australia in March 1999, in V6 SE, V6 Sport and V8 SE guises, with the range-topping S-Type R added in July 2002. For 2005, a truncated S-Type range appears, with the single-variant S-Type V8 Luxury replacing the V8 Sport and SE variants. The 2005 S-Type R is pictured above.
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