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At a glance, the 2008 S-Type still looks much the same as it did when it was introduced in 1999, as an intentionally retro tribute to some of the best-loved Jaguars of the past: specifically the 1956 quot;compact saloonquot; that became the wider-tracked, bigger-windowed Mark II in 1960 and, ultimately, the longer-tailed, all-independent-suspension S-Type of 1963.Ironically, or perhaps appropriately, the current S-Type has evolved almost as thoroughly in its ten years on the market. Jaguar substantially re-styled the S-Type for 2005, giving it a sharper, cleaner, more assertive face, with a more sharply defined V-shaped bulge in its hood. At the same time, the S-type acquired a longer, leaner look down the side with better integrated door sills. Around back, its distinctive round tail lamps provided a more technical, jewel-like appearance and blended smoothly into the new curves of the tail. The wider rear trunk finisher was simplified, running the full width between the new rear lamps. Jaguar claims the subtly re-shaped trunk reduced both lift and drag. A trend began in '06 when the chrome mesh grille previously seen only on the high-performance R-model became standard across the lineup. Now, for 2008, the R-model's more deeply sculpted front bumper has been applied to entire line as well. It features three sharply defined scoops in place of the single, wide-oval opening of the previous bumper. Base-level 3.0 and 4.2 models will, however, keep their bright bumper and grille trim, all of which turns body color on the R. Unless, of course, you order the Luxury Package, which decorates the R with base-level brightwork. Both 3.0 and 4.2 upgrade to 18-inch wheels for 2008, but not the same 18-inch wheels. V6 S-Types get a 10-spoke pattern that Jaguar calls Triton, while base V8's get a five-spoke wheel called Vulcan. Optional on both, and standard on the R-model, is a new 19-inch wheel Jaguar calls Barcelona. The S-Type's wipers feature an interesting washing system, with the washer jets incorporated into the wiper arms for better coverage. Lever-style door handles remain, which are aerodynamic but we find them harder to grab than the kind you slide your fingers through. Body panels fit closely together. Overall, quality has improved dramatically in recent years. In 1989, Jaguar ranked at the bottom of the list in the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study, one rung above Yugo. By 2003 Jaguar had risen to third from the top, just below Lexus and Cadillac. In 2007 Jaguar still finished in the top eight in an increasingly competitive race, where that rating represents a much higher standard of quality than it did a decade ago.
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