2007 Jaguar S-Type

For 2007, the Jaguar S-Type receives some enhancements, and a lower MSRP. The model line-up is trimmed down to the 3.0, 4.2 and R.

The Premium Package is now standard on S-Type 3.0, which includes memory for the driver’s seat, mirrors, pedals and steering column, auto-dimming rearview and side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, garage door opener, and adjustable foot pedals. Soft-grain leather-trim seats, Burl Walnut veneers and bright mirror caps are standard on 3.0 and 4.2; Bluetooth hands-free telephone interface and DVD-based satellite navigation are standard on 4.2. Finally, there is a new optional Luxury Package for S-Type R, with soft-grain leather-trimmed seats, Burl Walnut veneers, electric rear sunblind, bright exterior trim and adaptive cruise control.

The S-Type is available as the 3.0, with 3.0-litre V6; 4.2, with 4.2-litre V8; and as the R, with a supercharged 4.2-litre engine. All use a six-speed automatic transmission.

Features on the 3.0 include 17-inch alloy wheels, reverse park control, dual-zone automatic climate control, wood and leather-trimmed steering wheel, Burl Walnut wood trim, 16-way driver and 12-way passenger power-adjustable heated seats in soft-grain leather with driver’s side memory, power-adjustable pedals, 60/40 folding rear seats, CD stereo, power sunroof, auto-dimming rearview and side mirrors, electronic parking brake, and garage door opener.

The 4.2 adds navigation system, Bluetooth hands-free telephone interface, front park control, self-leveling Xenon headlamps, electric rear sunblind, and premium stereo with trunk-mounted six-disc CD changer.

The R adds 18-inch alloy wheels, performance brakes, enhanced active suspension, performance sport seats, R-specific leather-trimmed wheel, stainless steel exhaust tips, bird’s-eye maple interior trim, trunk lid spoiler, and R-specific front bumper and air intake grille. The R can be further optioned with a luxury package of adaptive cruise control, soft-grained leather seats, Burl Walnut wood trim, wood and leather-trimmed steering wheel, premium footwell rugs and bright exterior accents.

All of the S-Types are very smooth and capable, with typical Jaguar luxury features. The R is a sleeper: a sedate-looking luxury car with 400 horses on tap, albeit with the lack of a manual gearbox that would make it even more fun. Its enhanced Computer Active Technology Suspension (eCATS) is a two-stage system that automatically switches the car’s dampers from soft to firm in milliseconds, depending on road and driving conditions. It also switches the rear or front dampers slightly ahead of the others to reduce or increase understeer, depending upon which is preferable. The price drop from 2006’s MSRP is $2,295 for the 3.0, and a hefty $3,995 for the R.