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2008 Jaguar S-Type - can this car save Ford's feline?
Who knows how many of its nine lives Jaguar has left to spare, but the next generation S-Type could help the down and out member of Ford's Premier Auto Group land back on its feet. AutoExpress has published new renderings based on inside info (i.e. a guy who actually saw the car at a dealer sneak preview) that give us the best look yet at what the S-Type will look when the current car is replaced. Codenamed X250, the new S-Type is a bold sedan with a shape that eschews the retro look of the current model. The center grille is inspired by recent Jaguar concepts like the RD6 and R-Coupe, while the current car's quad headlamps have been dropped in favor of multi-element single units. The S-Type's tail, meanwhile, seems to have been lifted straight from the XK coupe.
As has been reported ad nauseum, the new S-Type will not use aluminum in its construction to the extent that it's used on the XJ sedan and XK, but rather feature steel body panels predominantly with some aluminum ones like the hood thrown in to save weight. This also means Jaguar has chosen to underpin the car with an upgraded version of the current car's chassis. AutoExpress reports the interior, also, draws heavily on the design of the XK's cockpit.
The new S-Type will continue to use the current car's engine lineup and the range-topping S-Type R will get the XKR's 420-bhp supercharged V8. A six-speed automatic will be standard across the entire model range, and we're also hoping it's the one we experienced in the XK.
Will the new S-Type be able to mark a larger territory for itself than the current model? We won't know for some time, but as we said after our brief drive in Jaguar's new XK, if the brand can produce more cars like its svelte new coupe, then there's hope after all.
[Source: AutoExpress]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Dr. Woo 10:13AM (8/09/2006)
That rendering looks like something out of Korea.
That is NOT a Jaguar. Producing a car that looks like this will prove to be the cat's undoing.
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Tim UF 10:13AM (8/09/2006)
If it didnt look like the bastard child of a Chrysler Sebring and a Ford Taurus, it might help the brand.
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_O ^ O_ 10:20AM (8/09/2006)
Oh man, thats ugly.
All of its competitors look like chiseled athletic machines while this thing looks like a bloated cat thats been over-eating. Jaguar has no hope at all.
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JT 10:24AM (8/09/2006)
Oh boy... even before reading the comments, I thought "but that's a KIA, right ?!"
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Michael Karesh 10:25AM (8/09/2006)
It'll look better than the rendering, you can count on it. "Save" is probably getting overly dramatic, as no one is going to flush a brand with as much value as Jag, but the new car will help.
That said, I am shocked by how few cars Jag has been selling recently. I recently added pricing data for the current S-Type into my database, but don't expect it to get much attention. For anyone who's interested:
http://www.truedelta.com/models/S-Type.php
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steven 10:27AM (8/09/2006)
Looks like a Buick. To little to late.
Give us a real E Type two set sports car and a real S Type sports sedan!
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Shawn 10:30AM (8/09/2006)
I think that's a photochop
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SherbornSean 10:31AM (8/09/2006)
Did Pontiac complete its acquisition of Jaguar already? That was quick -- just put a new face on the Grand Prix and voila, S-type.
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tony2x 10:34AM (8/09/2006)
Hmmmm, Auto Express renderings aren't usually that accurate. I'd say the essence was translated by some poor graphic designer who had just a verbal description to go on. I would not think Jaguar would make the same mistake and give the new S-type another face for radio. I love the current S but only when sitting behind the steering wheel, but the new XK shows that they can still make jaw droppingly beautiful cars.
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Paul Bensman 10:37AM (8/09/2006)
The new S Type looks great, but here is the real issue,
Ford and all the other American car companies have not learned yet. The basic rule of economics, supply and demand. Keep the supply of these cars below the demand. This will eliminate discounts and increase the resale. If a customer really wants a car, he will wait for it. When you tell someone that wants something you can't have it in most cases they want it more.
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David F 10:43AM (8/09/2006)
Wow. All previous comments have summed up my reaction to this rendering (er, mash-up), however it looks like Jaguar is trying to XK-ize with the S-Type.
I really hope Jag doesn't take XK inspiration too far; I mean, it's not that bad as a roadster, but then again it's not a very inspired design to begin with. Just say no!
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Lucius W. Carroll II 10:49AM (8/09/2006)
We have a 2001 Jag S Type with 28,000 miles on it and just had to replace the transmission, it was a year out of warranty and had had all the proper services. Jaguar would not help us financially, could not offer us a new transmission, but rather they only install rebuilt ones for 5-6 thousand dollars. The one they installed had to be pulled out too. They would not let us talk or communicate with the factory people or President.
It turns out that they have had this same problem with hundreds of 1999-2002 models. All one has to do is go to the internet and see for themselves! In 2003 they began installing Mercedes transmissions in the S type.
We are filing a world class action law suit against Jaguar next week. I will never buy another Jaguar product ever!!!!!!
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TheOne442 10:52AM (8/09/2006)
I think that BMW should buy Jag and LandRover and here is why. For the most part BMW's and Jag's appeal to different people. Bimmers are more performance wise and have a contemporary feel to them, they are a more (if you will permit me say it) futuristic style, but still function over form.
Jaguar is about beauty, a sex appeal, it's luxury before performance. I'm not knocking their awesome power, believe me I know about it, but Jag is a different niche car. How many times have you seen them on the track though?
As for LandRover they are a different Beast all their own. I have been over a certified LR course and those trucks are amazing. Conflict of interest with X3 X5, no I don't think so because again the vehicles are of a different breed.
I have seen this work here in Omaha; there is a dealership that is BMW, Jag and LR. Good Combo what do you think?
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GDUB 10:57AM (8/09/2006)
Wow That looks like Garfield rather than Jaguar.
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Paul 11:04AM (8/09/2006)
looks like a Kia design.
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DJ 11:06AM (8/09/2006)
This is a piss poor Photoshopped conglomeration of several styling exercises from the past two years. This is NOT the real car if you compare it to the latest actual PHOTOGRAPHS taken of the test cars. THe only thing here that is actually on the car is the grille.
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jim 11:09AM (8/09/2006)
BMW was smart enough to dump all the other Brit basket cases they bought before, except the Mini. I don't think they want anything to do with those football holigans any more.
Besides, this design goes perfectly with the new Ford guy with the sissy hairdo.
j i m
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aaron bluestone 11:15AM (8/09/2006)
if jag wanted to make some money out of that design they should have sold it to kia. horrible.
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bigshynepo 11:17AM (8/09/2006)
Lucius W. Carroll II,
Not trying to be an a-hole, but Good Luck with that lawsuit. The Big 3 get his with lawsuits everyday about everything, Just look at general motors and the mid 90's w-body cars. People are still trying to sue for Manifold Gasket replacement as EVERY engine (esp. the 3.4L) needed it within the first 100,000KM (not miles) and brake assembly replacement.
Your post is curious in that:
a) You bought a used car without doing your research on crappy used cars (Jags) and are now stuck with an overpriced, no-warranty car and 2 faulty transmissions.
or
b) I don't know what Jaguar's new car warranty is but 28,000, that seems like it should still be under warranty for a new car. Mind you, the car is 5 years old so if you bought it new, were you able to get ANY warranty work done on it before things started crapping out and your warranty expired?
Either you have horrible luck for everything to start going wrong right after your warranty runs out or you bought a bad used car.
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Hung2 11:33AM (8/09/2006)
"2008 Jaguar S-Type - can this car save Ford's feline?"
- NOPE!
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