X200 S-Type Series III

SINCE a major mechanical overhaul occurred just two years earlier, Jaguar concentrated on righting two more S-Type wrongs – the styling and lack of diesel engine.

The former was addressed via a subtle but effective ‘tail’ lift, which resulted in all new sheetmetal aft of the rear window, as well as a leaner side sills and a more scalloped bonnet preceding an upright grille. It still looked frumpy – but only less so now.

Jaguar also increased equipment levels, discontinued the underwhelming 3.0 V6, sharpened prices and tweaked the suspension and other mechanical parts a little more.

And what of the diesel? It finally arrived in April 2006, powered by a 153kW 2.7-litre twin-turbo-charged V6 producing 435Nm at 1900rpm for a 0-100km/h sprint time of 8.6 seconds while averaging 7.8L/100km.