The first car to be developed under Jaguar's new owners, Ford, the S
Type was also the first medium-sized Jaguar since the 1960s. With its
retro looks, it continued to invoke old Jaguar loyalties but ultimately
it proved to be an important transition to the Jaguar that we know
today. In this fascinating book, motoring journalist and Jaguar S Type
owner Craig Cheetham takes us from the early plans for Jaguar under its
new Ford ownership, through the various different models of the S Type,
variants and engine types, including the 4.2 supercharged V8 that made
the Jaguar S Type the fastest road production saloon car in the world.
The book examines the development of the Ford DEW platform as well as
the evolution of the retro Jaguar S Type design, both exterior and
interior, by drawing on the views of designers, engineers and managers
who had to capture the Jaguar concept. The author discusses both the
design successes and failures, including the need for an interior
re-design. The book analyses the supercharged S Type 'R' as well as the
introduction of the Mk2 and diesel versions. He also discloses the
reasons for the success of the S Type in both the United States and
Japan. As Jaguars took on a new design concept with the launch of the
XF, which looked to the future as opposed to the past, the author
summarises the significance of the S Type in making this transition
possible. Including hints, tips and what to look out for, this is a
comprehensive book about one of Jaguar's most important models.
