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Have relocated my Silver Princess (2.7L TTD Jaguar S-Type) to son's farm, 1200Km away . . . just so I have something comforting to drive when I visit. All my recent visits have featured fully loaded trailer behind fully loaded Ford Territory SZII in our effort to move south to join him. Rapidly growing granddaughters have a magnetic attraction to being closer.
The Jag lives in its own shed, protected in HD car cover to keep the possoms at bay (no rats or mice) and is sustained by its own 7 stage smart battery charger. Not having started since Christmas, what could possibly go wrong?
Key in and rotate . . . sprang to life immediately. Fast idle for 20 seconds or so, while checking the lack of warning lights or "messages of doom". Then, it's a quick blip, before settling to true idle. Re-test EPB, then engage gear to reverse from shed.
Subsequent road test of 50Km of quiet country roads gave ample time to smooth out any initial tyre flat spots. The twin turbo diesel matched to 6HP26 auto makes a joke of 110Kph speed limits, the ride was as smooth as ever and it still corners as if on rails. The interior still smells new, although the roof lining was replaced about two years ago.
It seems that the car's styling is still a love/hate affair. The twin turbo V6 diesel engine is mistrusted by some but, generally, loved by those who actually own one, The ZF 6spd auto is loved by everyone (even Ford, who copied it as the 6R80). I searched hard to find any misgivings. Everything . . . just works! What would I upgrade or change? The only downside I can find is that, despite the car cover, it needs a wash to eliminate some inevitable dust and reveal its gleaming Liquid Silver paintwork and BBS Mercury wheels. Attached pic is "before wash and polish".
Of the many Jags that I have been privileged to know first hand and based on its balance of performance, comfort, style and reliability . . .I really do admire this last of the 2007 S-Types. Can I ask what other Jaguar S-Type owners admire in this ageless car?
I like the ease of driving mine. After I altered the height of the footbrake, it is the most relaxing car to drive that I have ever owned. It also has the nicest sound system.
Did they ever sell them here with that deisel (or possibly a V8) and a proper manual gearbox? I really like manuals, but they are very hard to find these days
@ Cat astrophy: My wife tells again and again, how much she loves that car (3.0L, 2004, Jaguar Racing green metallic). Almost every time she drives it to town, she gets a compliment for either the car or the colour of both. I - obviously - love that car, too. I also made it look better (stainless steel metal strips on the radiator grille and a newly designed cover for the air intake underneath):
Disregard the silver strips on the very bottom and sides - that was initially to hide scratches from the PO. Buy that bumper has meanwhile been professionally resprayed in a shop.
@ Double C --- yes to both, but both are rare in Australia::
-- dIEsel -- : The Jaguar S-Type Diesel was introduced in Australia in 2006 as a luxury sedan offering a unique blend of diesel efficiency and Jaguar performance. It featured a 2.7L twin-turbo V6 diesel engine producing 153kW and 435Nm of torque, delivering strong low-end power and improved fuel economy compared to its petrol counterparts.
-- manual --:
1999–2008 S-Type (Modern Era)
Manual Options:
1999–2002: 5-speed manual (Getrag 221) or 5-speed J-Gate automatic.
2003–2004: 5-speed manual (Getrag 221) or 6-speed J-Gate (ZF 6HP26).
2004 Diesel: 6-speed manual introduced, paired with 6-speed J-Gate automatic.
Key Fact: Manual transmissions were rare in the Australian market, especially post-2003. The 6-speed manual (ZFS6-53) was available from mid-2004 onward, but only on specific trims.
Did they ever sell them here with that deisel (or possibly a V8) and a proper manual gearbox? I really like manuals, but they are very hard to find these days
seeya
Shane L.
I’ve seen one or two here in the UK, but they are not as common as the auto. I wanted a manual too, but couldn’t find a really good one.
Fuel issues of higher sulphate "truck" diesel prevented Jaguar bringing the TTD to Oz before 2006.
This, coupled with very few actual 2008 S-Types (most built in 2007 as XF replaced production after Feb 08, XF selling from March), means there was only a brief 2 year window for these Jaguars in Oz. AFAIK, none went to USA.
Loping along at 110 - 120Kph (70 - 75mph) puts the tacho at 1700 - 1800rpm, Max torque is at 1900rpm so the acceleration for overtaking is very strong in this band. However, engines and gearboxes aside, I continually feel that the Jag engineers got the balance of chassis dynamics and comfort "spot on". With half a dozen other models on hand to compare, the S-Type excels.
Am I biased? Perhaps . . . but then I take an 80Kph bend at open highway speed . . . never a hint of drift; never a squirm from those wide 18" tyres.
No, it's not as snarly as our S1 E-Type, when 50m or road disappears on brisk acceleration. It's not the plush, sometimes squishy, lounge room ride of the LWB XJs. It may not have the V12 purr of the XJ-S or the V8 engined XK8. These are all really great machines, but the S-Type stands apart. It turns a 1,000Km country drive into a joy . . . and that's why I love it.
I'd love to take the S type v6 deisel and Citroen C6 for a back to back drive. They are both pretty much the pinnacle of there technologys. There hasn't really been any progress that I can see in cars in the last 20years (other the stupid electronics and crap suspension and wheels). The 'S' type and C6 share the diesel (though its detuned hugely in the C6), they both have a decent wheelbase, are a nice big comfy passenger sedan (that I like). The S type has electronic dampers doesn't it at that point? The Citroen C6 has active hydraulic suspension (really the last of the decent hydraulic cars with proper hydraulics).
I'd love to take the S type v6 deisel and Citroen C6 for a back to back drive.
It would be a very fascinating drive
I would imagine the C6 would be superior in every way, but one; the engine. The ride in my wife’s C5 is better than my S-type. But the S-type has such a nice powerplant and very slightly more comfortable seats. I was almost tempted to buy a cheap C6 instead of the Jag, but the leaping jaguar looks just a teeny bit more appealing than two chevrons. Plus, in the UK, the Jag is a fair bit cheaper.
Last edited by Sportston; Mar 13, 2026 at 06:37 PM.
You only have one problem .... I don't own a Citroen C6, they have always been waaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyy out of my price range in Australia
As for saying one car is better than the other..... Different... they are different. "better" depends on perspective and what you want from a car. They are both long distance tourers. designed for travelling distances in comfort, ones a modern "traditional" front engined/rwd passenger saloon, the other is a fwd oddity that has always been an oddball (though is now just another poogoe).
Its all fun, notice I didn't mention a super charged v8. That is a different beast.... Its more of a muscle car than a long distance tourer (sure, I'd have one anyday )
Gosh, I love this S-Type Jaguar
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