2001 Jaguar S-Type - Cat's Always Land on Their Feet
When I first caught wind that Jaguar was to bring out a new midsize model I have to admit I let myself get a little excited. Having been a pure blooded Jaguar enthusiast since I started to appreciate curves, and the previous owner of the slightly boxy 1990 Sovereign, I was glad to here about a return to Jaguar's design roots. The word on the street was that "the new Mark II is on its way!" I trembled with anticipation.
Then came the photos. A dramatic waterfall grille and graceful lines replete with four round headlamps, the two near the center slightly smaller than those on the outside, definitely paid tribute to the beloved Mark II. A swooping waistline sloping down toward the tail invoked images of years gone by. Did I like it? Oh yes. In fact, I thought I was falling in love.
Bringing a new Jaguar to market must be more daunting than say, a new Taurus. After all, it's a Jaguar and so much is expected. Jaguar is all about heritage, pure bloodlines and royalty. Fortunately the engineers and designers at Jaguar Engineering Centre at Whitley in Coventry, England were up to the task, and the S-Type became a runaway success.
Now in its second model year, the S-Type still looks as fresh as it did when it arrived on our streets in May of 1999. Only modest refinements enhancing its outward appearance, raising the level of luxury and upgrading emissions compliance were attended to. For 2001, designers eliminated the body side molding, added two new colours and created new 10-spoke 16-inch wheels (for V8 models). Standard equipment now includes Reverse Park Control, a very handy rear obstacle detection system. Also, protective tread plates at the rear door thresholds match those already present in front. Steering feel has improved by fitting an electronically controlled, speed-proportional ZF power steering system, isolating pump noise and vibration. Now parking is just as easy, but the car shows greater control at high-speed.
When I first caught wind that Jaguar was to bring out a new midsize model I have to admit I let myself get a little excited. Having been a pure blooded Jaguar enthusiast since I started to appreciate curves, and the previous owner of the slightly boxy 1990 Sovereign, I was glad to here about a return to Jaguar's design roots. The word on the street was that "the new Mark II is on its way!" I trembled with anticipation.
Then came the photos. A dramatic waterfall grille and graceful lines replete with four round headlamps, the two near the center slightly smaller than those on the outside, definitely paid tribute to the beloved Mark II. A swooping waistline sloping down toward the tail invoked images of years gone by. Did I like it? Oh yes. In fact, I thought I was falling in love.
Bringing a new Jaguar to market must be more daunting than say, a new Taurus. After all, it's a Jaguar and so much is expected. Jaguar is all about heritage, pure bloodlines and royalty. Fortunately the engineers and designers at Jaguar Engineering Centre at Whitley in Coventry, England were up to the task, and the S-Type became a runaway success.
Now in its second model year, the S-Type still looks as fresh as it did when it arrived on our streets in May of 1999. Only modest refinements enhancing its outward appearance, raising the level of luxury and upgrading emissions compliance were attended to. For 2001, designers eliminated the body side molding, added two new colours and created new 10-spoke 16-inch wheels (for V8 models). Standard equipment now includes Reverse Park Control, a very handy rear obstacle detection system. Also, protective tread plates at the rear door thresholds match those already present in front. Steering feel has improved by fitting an electronically controlled, speed-proportional ZF power steering system, isolating pump noise and vibration. Now parking is just as easy, but the car shows greater control at high-speed.