Does the Jaguar S type have a Ford engine?
Yes—some S-Type engines were Ford-derived or Ford-assisted during the era when Jaguar was owned by Ford; others remained Jaguar-designed. The 3.0-liter AJ-V6 is the clearest example of Ford involvement, while the 4.2-liter V8 is a Jaguar design refined under Ford, and a diesel option in some markets used Ford-derived technology.
The Jaguar S-Type, produced from 1999 to 2008, sits at a crossroads in Jaguar’s history during Ford’s ownership. Below is a breakdown of the engines offered and how Ford’s influence shaped them.
Engine lineup and Ford relationship
Here is how the S-Type's available engines relate to Ford's engineering and platform-sharing strategy.
- 3.0-litre AJ-V6 (V6) — Jaguar-designed 60-degree V6, developed during Ford ownership; it carries Ford input and shared development practices but is not simply a Ford Duratec engine.
- 4.2-litre AJ-V8 (V8) — Jaguar's V8 family refined under Ford ownership; widely used in the S-Type, with engineering support from Ford but not a direct Ford Modular engine.
- 2.7-litre TDV6 diesel — a diesel option offered in some markets, based on Ford's Duratorq-style architecture and developed within the Jaguar–Ford collaboration.
In short, the S-Type's engine lineup includes Ford-influenced and Ford-derived units alongside Jaguar-designed powerplants; this reflects the model's place in the Ford era of Jaguar.
Historical context
Ford acquired Jaguar in the late 1980s and held it until 2008. The S-Type was launched in 1999 and remained in production through 2008, a period during which engine families were shared or co-developed within the Ford–Jaguar partnership. After Tata Motors acquired Jaguar, engine development and sourcing shifted to new arrangements.
What this means for owners today
Knowing which engine your S-Type has informs maintenance and parts sourcing. The AJ-V6 and TDV6 families share some maintenance considerations with Ford engines, while the AJ-V8 engines are Jaguar designs with Ford-era refinements. Always verify the exact engine code and consult the service manual for your vehicle.
To be thorough, verify model year and market, as engine availability varied by region and trim level.
Summary
The Jaguar S-Type used a mix of Ford-influenced and Jaguar-designed engines due to its production during Ford's ownership. The 3.0 AJ-V6 is the clearest Ford-influenced engine, the 4.2 AJ-V8 is a Jaguar design refined under Ford, and a diesel option in some markets used Ford-derived technology. So, yes, some S-Types have Ford-derived engines, but not every engine in the lineup is Ford-based.
In the end, the S-Type’s powertrain history reflects Ford’s era of ownership with a blend of Ford-based and Jaguar-designed engines, rather than a single, uniform Ford engine across the entire lineup.
What kind of engine does a S-Type Jaguar have?
The car was available with your choice of two V6 gas engines, three V8 engines (one supercharged), and a V6 diesel. Transmission options were five-speed automatic or five-speed manual, and a six speed manual or six speed automatic, depending on model year.
Is the Jaguar S-type V8 engine a Ford engine?
The S-Type was powered by a variety of petrol and diesel engines. At launch, the V8 S-Type was powered by the 4.0L Jaguar AJ-V8 engine, the capacity of which was increased to 4.2L for the 2003 model year. Variants of this engine are used in Ford, Lincoln, Land Rover/Range Rover and Aston Martin models.
Is the Jaguar S-type a Ford?
While the S-Type initiated the policy of sharing selected components with other cars manufactured by the Ford Group, the designers and engineers behind the car remained faithful to the ideal of making the car a true Jaguar thoroughbred.
Did Jaguar use Ford engines?
The V8 was first introduced just after Ford acquired Jaguar, and this has led some people to believe it is a Ford design, which has since been exacerbated by Ford introducing their own 5.0-liter V8 engine. But the engine was designed before Ford took over, and Jaguar currently doesn't use any Ford-designed engines.
