A new aluminum hood (in place of the steel bonnet) takes 22 pounds off the front of the car for improved weight distribution, and features a more defined vee shape. The redesigned front bumper is simpler, cleaner. Redesigned chrome bumper inserts are less bulky, and the bumper has a deeper chin. The grille is re-proportioned and stands out more, subtly lower and broader and more upright. It looks simpler, more modern and more assertive.
The sides of the car have been redesigned to make it look longer and leaner and the rear fender line is raised for a more powerful, forward-pushing stance.
The distinctive round tail lamps look more technical than before, blending smoothly into the new curves of the tail, and have a jewel-like appearance. The wider rear trunk finisher (in chrome on the 3.0 and 4.2) is simplified, running the full width between the new rear lamps.
The wipers feature an improved washing system, with the washer jets incorporated into the wiper arms for better coverage. Lever-style door handles remain, which are aerodynamic but I find them harder to grab than the kind you slide your fingers through.
Body panels fit more 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. Jaguar is now third from the top, according to the 2003 and 2004 surveys, just below Lexus and Cadillac. That's even more impressive given that the quality bar is moving up: The top of that list represents a much higher standard of quality than what was found at the top of the list a decade ago. Recent S-Type buyers appear to be happy with more than just the quality of their cars. The S-Type placed second in its class in J.D. Power's APEAL survey, which measures owners' delight with the design, content, layout and performance of their new vehicles, placing the Jag above the Mercedes E-Class and below the Lexus GS.
