Big cat back on the prowl

Jaguar S-Type

Jaguar S-Type

Under the bonnet

The 4.2 litre V8 is a very sweet unit. In spite of the performance, it is very easy to drive within the speed limit. The six-speed ZF auto provides seamless changes and makes driving in all conditions a pleasurable experience. Yet, when you floor the throttle, the V8 emits a delightful note and the 0-100 time is about 6.5 secs.

Jaguar S-Type 4.2 V8 Luxury

As tested - $124,900 0-100km/h - 6.5 secs Economy - 10.2 litres/100kms

The new Jaguar S-Type would not seem out of place in a James Bond film, with its luxurious interior and stylish lines. Motoring guru Ken Llewelyn takes it for a run and proves this beast has claws.

Easy riding
Jaguar has suffered quality control problems in the past, but huge strides have been made to improve build quality and the S-Type is proof of these changes. The marque has always been noted for combining superb road holding with generous comfort levels and the S-Type epitomises these values.

On the 800km test on a variety of roads the Jaguar did not put a foot wrong. The variable-ratio power steering gave just the right amount of feel for all conditions.

It assisted in making the Jaguar a very easy car to drive quickly and safely. Genuine wood on the dash with comfortable leather seats ensured the club lounge atmosphere was not lost. Instrumentation was superb, with an intuitive touch screen for the TV, audio controls and satellite navigation.

A premium sound system with 10 speakers ensured concert hall performance. And no longer do you need to reach for the handbrake. Just gently pull a small chrome lever to apply the electronic parking brake. Dual zone aircon, cruise and rain sensing wipers are other attractions.

Safety first
As you would expect with a luxury car of this type, safety is a number-one priority. Front and side curtain airbags are fitted. ABS, traction control, emergency brake assist and energy absorbing seating system are standard.

And parking radar is fitted; although I did get out once to see just how close I was to a wall when the beep indicated an imminent collision.

Distance to servo
The Jaguar pumps out 224kW at 6000 revs, yet I found it remarkably economical considering the performance.
On the 800km test, much of it city driving, it used just over 10 litres/100km. However, it does require premium fuel.

Summary
I have tested a number of luxury cars over the years and my previous favourite was the Alfa 166. However, the S-Type has won my heart. It is a real pleasure to drive.

All the controls are quick to hand, the controls are set up to ensure a short learning curve and the Jaguar is so responsive and easy to drive.

You can get cheaper 5 Series BMWs or Mercedes E Class, but for performance and sheer driving pleasure, the S-Type is my choice. You can buy the base model 3.0 litre V6 for $89,900 or the Supercharged V8 for $169,950. My pick is the 4.2 litre test car.