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2003 Jaguar S-Type Mid-Size Sport Luxury Sedan
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Also, there are xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps aboard, plus a spoiler on the tail to ensure high-speed stability.
All S-Type sedans gain a new electronic parking brake tied to a console-mounted switch as replacement for a conventional handbrake lever. It engages automatically whenever the transmission is in park mode.
Accelerator and brake pedals may be moved fore or aft through electronic controls to improve fit for a driver's feet. The adjustable pedals, a standard feature for V8 versions of S-Type, link to memory settings also governing positions for the driver's seat, steering wheel and mirrors.
S-Type cars carry a four-wheel independent wishbone suspension in aluminum, with new front subframe and revised lateral and diagonal links to hone the ride quality and improve the car's agility. In the rear, the roll center has been elevated with softer spring rates applied to cushion riders.
S-Type R adds electronic controls that automatically vary suspension shock damping from soft to firm in order to maximize rider comfort, car handling and driver control.
Speed-sensitive variable-assist power rack and pinion steering and four-wheel disc brakes with computerized anti-lock controls and electronic brake distribution improve motion maneuvers for all S-Types. Also, a dynamic stability controller, which applies brake and throttle automatically to correct potentially dangerous yaw behavior, is in place.
More changes occur in the cabin.
New seats deliver increasing support through Classic, Sports and R bolstered performance buckets. The rear bench divides in a 60/40 split and sections fold independently.
On the full-width dash a new design features bird's eye maple veneer and a new center console houses an optional LCD screen seven inches wide. Touch the screen to control climate, audio and optional navigation system and a cellular telephone.
Jaguar's innovative voice-control system enables the driver to depress a toggle on the steering wheel, then speak a few key words to activate on-board tools like the climate controller, navigation system, stereo or hands-free phone.
Prices for S-Type sedans start at the S-Type 3.0 V6 with a five-speed manual Getrag gearbox for $42,495, including delivery fee, or the automatic ZF six-speed for $43,875. S-Type 4.2 V8 goes for $49,975, and the new performance-driven S-Type R caps the series at $62,400.
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