First look: Jaguar gives S-type a facelift

JAGUAR has unveiled a modest facelift to its S-type at the Bologna motor show in Italy.

The revised S-type also offers better value, new colours and more equipment over the existing model.

In Europe, the naturally aspirated 4.2-litre V8 has been dropped and the engine line-up left with three engines, a 3.0-litre V6, twin-turbo V6 diesel and 4.2-litre supercharged V8.

All S-types also gain the sportier "R" bumper and mesh grille, while the "R" model gains a more aggressive grille.

A multi-spoke 17-inch Antares alloy wheel also appears on the entry 3.0-litre petrol model.

The car's interior has also come in for a makeover with the introduction of multi-function seats with non-perforated leather.

In the UK the S-type line-up has been reduced to four models: the Spirit, XS, SE and "R".

Meanwhile, Jaguar's replacement for its S-type will be called the XF.

Jaguar Cars in the UK last week said the car would make its debut around September next year and arrival in Australia late 2008, but little else in the way of detail was released.

Designed and developed at Jaguar's product development centre at Whitley in Coventry, UK, the XF will be built at Jaguar’s Castle Bromwich plant in Birmingham, UK.

"The Jaguar XF is a new sports saloon that will challenge people to think again about Jaguar as daring and different," the managing director of Jaguar Cars, Bibiana Boerio, said.

GoAuto understands the XF would be a development of the current S-type but feature a substantially revised front end with a lower grille, larger headlights and big air intakes under the front bumper.