Jaguar S-Type R

Though it’s been around since 2002, the S-TYPE R seems to have evaded the radar of performance saloon buyers. That’s a shame, as its combination of a 400bhp V8, a great chassis, fantastic dynamics and excellent value for money make it well worth a closer look

If there’s a car on the UK market at the moment that plays up to and at the same time utterly dispels oft quoted stereotypes about Jaguar executive saloons, then the S-TYPE R is it.

From 20 paces its overtly retro-looks may well appear more pipe and slippers than super-saloon, but move a little closer and tell-tale signs of the STYPE R’s tarmac tearing potential are there. The deep front air-dam, the black mesh grille, 19in ‘Barcelona’ alloys, twin stainless steel exhaust pipes, a subtle bootlid spoiler and, of course, the small ‘R’ badge on the rear all combine to give this range-topping S-TYPE a slightly menacing appearance. But it still doesn’t shout about its ability. In fact, this 4.2-litre supercharged V8- powered 400bhp missile is perhaps Jaguar’s best-kept secret.

Though the S-TYPE arrived in 1998, the R only joined the line-up when the range received major revisions in 2002. At that point, many of the key weaknesses of the original design were addressed; interiors were vastly improved, the suspension reengineered and the 4.0-litre V8 engines (which had reliability issues) replaced by the far sturdier 4.2-litre versions.

Then, in 2004, a subtle but significant facelift tidied up some of the S-TYPE’s busier lines and made for a far more resolved exterior to compliment the earlier engineering and interior tweaks. Buyers still either love or hate the car’s appearance, however, which is possibly why the R has been largely overlooked by performance saloon enthusiasts.

Specifications

Jaguar is about to stop building the S-TYPE – its replacement, the XF will be unveiled later this year – so buy a new R right now, and you’ll find that it’s packed full of toys; not that they were ever poorly specced in the first place.

Inside there are full leather-covered seats – of course – and the front ones are both heated and electronically adjustable in 16 ways with memory settings. There’s touch-screen sat-nav, dual zone air-con, cruise control, oh, and no wood. Instead, contemporary aluminium dash inserts are the order of the day. Of the options left, the only boxes worth ticking in our opinion are those for the Premium sound system with six-disc changer (£1,000) and the Bluetooth telephone option (£375). Haggle hard with a dealer, and we wouldn’t be surprised if you get those thrown in for free anyway.

In terms of go-faster hardware, the 4.2-litre V8 supercharged engine is proven and, with 400bhp and 408 lb ft, it’s plenty capable enough too; 0-60mph in 5.3 seconds and a top speed electronically limited to 155mph should be enough for most. The R also comes with Jaguar’s excellent ‘Computer Active Technology Suspension’ as standard, and sizable R spec brakes to slow things down too. There’s no manual, although the capable six-speed ZF unit does feature Jaguar’s famed ‘J-gate’, so you can row up and down the ‘box manually should you so choose.

On the road

Slip the lever into Drive, tickle the throttle and the S-TYPE R moves away in such a quiet, refined manner, that the uninitiated could be forgiven for thinking that this was most certainly a car that was more cruiser than bruiser. But they would be wrong – it’s both.

Should you be in relaxed mood, the R is happy to play along too. Engine noise is all but absent at gentle throttle openings, ride quality – despite those sizeable alloys and lowprofile tyres – is supple and forgiving, and the steering is light enough to mean that minimal effort is required from the driver to make serene progress. Press the throttle a little harder, however, and the flip-side of the R’s character immediately makes itself felt. Press the throttle to the floor, and that alternate character will grab you by the chest and press you back in your seat. Hard.

At the same time the V8 burble will be overtaken by an addictive supercharger whine that proves the willing accompaniment to what will be exceedingly rapid progress. And the R’s boy-racer antics are not just reserved for going in a straight line as, drive hard, and the CATS suspension stiffens up imperceptibly to match your mood.

True, it’s no M5, but then it’s not M5 money either – yet the R is a true super-saloon, just one that’s as capable as cosseting its driver as it is carousing along at indecent speeds when the mood fits. There are downsides, of course – the relatively cramped interior being one, a healthy appetite for unleaded another – but even though it’s about to be replaced, the S-TYPE R still deserves recognition as a real driver’s car.

Market impressions

For the 2007 Model Year – the car’s last – list price for the S-TYPE R is £45,000. That’s £5,000 less than it was last year – and also less than when the model was first introduced in 2002. Given that dealers will be scampering to get rid of cars before the replacement XF arrives towards the end of the year, we’d expect you to pay far less than that too. In fact, a quick internet search brought up a number of brand-new STYPE Rs available for under £40,000 with the lowest priced example being a whisker under £38,000. So if you want to buy new – haggle hard and you’ll save a packet.

Of course, the other side to that shiny new coin is the rather less shiny one of rapid depreciation – an when the XF goes on sale, expect used values to plummet further. However, if you’re happy to buy used, that’s good news too. On a dealer’s forecourt, 2006/55 plate cars won’t be priced much above £29,000, while an early 2002/52 plate example will be little more than £15,000, and less again privately. In fact, we found a 2002 52 plate one owner example with 64,447 miles on the clock advertised for £12,999 – and that was at a main dealer. The only difficulty you may have is in finding one; in S-TYPE terms, the R is a relatively rare beast.

Conclusion

Faults, flaws and fixes

Early versions of Jaguar’s first V8 – the 4.0-litre unit as initially fitted to XKs, XJs and S-TYPEs – have a poor reputation for reliability due to three key issues: bore wear, suspect water pumps and weak timing chain tensioners.

However, that should be of no concern to S-TYPE R buyers as the R arrived in 2002. At that point the larger 4.2-litre version of its V8 was introduced by Jaguar – all Rs are 4.2s – and, with a revised water pump and timing chain tensioner design (the bore wear issue already having been solved) it’s suffered none of those problems. The fact that the V8 is supercharged in the R is not an issue either. The Eaton supercharger unit is reliable, efficient and under-stressed. Engine-wise then, there’s little to fear – other than a thirst for fuel that’s well below the 20mpg point if you choose to drive enthusiastically.

Leaky header tanks afflicted early cars, although later examples are better in this respect and the cooling system is very reliable – if the right type of coolant is used. Jaguar specifies a red coolant that is NOT compatible with regular anti-freeze. It’s well worth whipping the cap off to check – if the two are mixed, a thick sludge will eventually form that will inevitably cause overheating.

The six-speed ZF units are of the ‘sealed for life’ type. They have generally proven to be reliable, but on high-milers pay particular note to shift quality – it should be near seamless. Electrical glitches also meant shift quality issues on early cars, but all should have been sorted via ECU upgrades by now. As ever, these are special cars, so we’d only ever recommend buying one with specialist service history – either main dealer, or reputable independent.

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