Jaguar S-Type 2004 review: snapshot

"There are three keys to getting this right and, like the legs on a three-legged stool, each has to be just right or the whole thing falls over," Blackhall explains. "The first is to keep the messages simple, the second to get specification right and the third to have superior engine strategy. In the case of the S-Type I am confident we have done that."

Since taking over the reins at Jaguar Australia in March Blackhall has been working away at getting sales and organisation back on track.

"Our 90-day, 180-day, 12 month targets have cleaned up pretty nicely. We are in a much better place than we were with the legacy issues festering under the surface dealt with," Blackhall says.

One of those issues was the degree of neglect, which had befallen the S-Type in the search for volume sales with the entry-level X-Type. "S-Type has been repriced, respecified and repositioned," Blackhall says. "We want people to look again at the value of the S-Type. The struggle in Australia is to convert the affection Jaguar has with people into action (in sales)."

To simplify the message, the S-Type range has been trimmed from seven models to four with the Sport deleted from both V6 and V8 along with the base V6 model.

The range now starts with the 3.0-litre V6 SE at $89,900, moves to the 3.0-litre V6 Luxury at $99,900 – right in the heart of what Blackhall believes is the "sweet spot" of the segment, then to the $124,900 4.2-litre V8 Luxury. At the top of the tree is the wicked 4.2-litre supercharged S-Type R which, at $169,950, is aimed at the performance stars of the BMW and Mercedes ranges, the M5 and E55.

While more than a few kiloWatts shy of its target rivals, the S-Type R's $50,000 price advantage and still respectable performance figures (298kW and 553Nm) give buyers a reason to choose.

"We know we are not the biggest gorilla on the block but with 298kW in that body it really does get out of its own road," Blackhall says.

Styling changes on the S-Type are subtle, rather than revolutionary, with the spirit of Geoff Lawson's original design still well in control. The somewhat droopy rear of the car has been lifted and firmed with stronger lines and a new LED tail-light treatment.

The bonnet is now aluminium with more defined creasing while the grille has been pushed forward and more upright.

The interior treatment is more ergonomic yet retains the original feel of Jaguar. Changes to the instrument display make information gathering easier and there is a neat brushed aluminium option for the dash trim.

Adaptive cruise control has been added to the options list along with front-park assist.

As an aside, word is out that the J-gate automatic is not long for the range as Jaguar finally moves with the times to adopt a more sensible tiptronic-style sports shifter.

Not surprisingly the pick of the drives at launch was the Type R with a nice degree of supercharger whine dialled in for your aural pleasure.

While the S-Type is still heavier than its all-aluminium big brother, the XJ, the boot of the force-fed 4.2-litre V8 is impressive.

Riding on CATS (computer active) suspension the Type R has a ride/handling capability balance that is right off the top shelf.

The V6 is a bit less of everything except ride quality which if anything is more compliant than on the R. Handling is still comfortable, turn-in and feedback is good and despite a degree of early roll the 3.0-litre settles nicely into its work without complaint.