2005 Jaguar S-Type 3.0 Road Test

Stirred, Not Shaken

Suppose it's 1962 and you have just pulled off a heist at Harrods Department store in jolly olde London Towne, England. Your

Jaguar drew on the legendary Mark II for inspiration when designing the current S-Type. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

wheelman will likely have your getaway car staged on Brompton Road, engine running in preparation for a quick getaway. If he's worth his salt or the bags of British pounds sterling you have promised to share with him, he will proceed to demonstrate his Stirling Moss driving ability at the wheel of a Jaguar Mark II.

The Mark II was the fastest British saloon car of its day, provided the 3.8-litre straight-six growled beneath its bonnet. If your wheelman's knowledge of Jaguars was a wee bit dodgy and he mistakenly acquired the leisurely-paced 2.4-litre Mark II, Scotland Yard would undoubtedly be on your tail faster than you could say, "Blimey, looks like we're knicked." You see, the speed of the Mark II 3.8 was equally as popular with the police as it was with the bad guys.

It's this legendary saloon car (four-door sedan) that Jaguar drew its inspiration from in designing the S-Type,

The S-Type continues to be built in England using primarily Jaguar-exclusive parts. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

which hit the market in late 1999 as a 2000 model. Although the styling of the S-Type is pushing six years old without any significant revisions, I continue to admire how faithfully its lines capture the spirit and exotic design elements of the 1960s Mark II., The nod to the mighty Mark II goes further than looks alone, however, thanks to the highly praised undercarriage architecture it shares with Ford's Lincoln LS. But Jaguar purists need not feel that the British gene pool has been overly contaminated. The S-Type continues to be built in England using primarily Jaguar-exclusive parts.