Is the Jaguar S-Type A Ford?
The Jaguar S-Type is not a Ford; it is a Jaguar model. It was developed during the period when Ford owned Jaguar (1989–2008) and used some shared platforms and components, but it remains a Jaguar-branded car rather than a Ford product.
To understand why this question comes up, it's helpful to look at the ownership history, the engineering collaboration between the two companies, and the S-Type’s design and features.
Ownership history and corporate ties
The following points summarize how Ford's ownership intersected with the S-Type's development.
- Ford purchased Jaguar in 1989 and owned the British marque until Tata Motors acquired Jaguar in 2008, shaping product strategy and engineering decisions during that period.
- The S-Type was developed with Ford input and shared engineering concepts with Ford’s rear‑wheel‑drive sedans of the era, notably the Lincoln LS in the same family of platforms.
- Some drivetrain and component sourcing came via Ford, reflecting the extensive cross‑brand collaboration that existed while Jaguar was part of Ford’s Premier Automotive Group.
- When Tata Motors completed the purchase in 2008, Jaguar began its next chapter separate from Ford’s direct influence, altering future platform and engine development directions.
In short, the S-Type sits squarely in the Jaguar lineup and bears the mark of Ford’s involvement during its development, but it is not a Ford car.
Design, engineering and features
The following points describe what the S-Type is in terms of design language, chassis, and powertrains, reflecting the era of Ford‑era collaboration while preserving Jaguar branding.
- Body and styling: a traditional four-door sedan with a retro‑inspired yet contemporary Jaguar design language, aimed at blending classic luxury cues with modern performance.
- Platform and engineering: built on a Jaguar understructure that benefited from Ford’s engineering resources and shared with other Ford‑tailed platforms, enabling a balance of ride comfort and driving dynamics.
- Engine options: available with several engines over its life, including a 3.0 L V6 and larger V8s (4.0 L and later 4.2 L variants), with a performance‑oriented S-Type R offering enhanced power and handling characteristics.
- Transmission: most S-Types used a 5‑speed automatic transmission, with the S-Type R variant offering more performance‑focused transmission tuning, including a higher‑performance automatic option.
- Production and lifecycle: produced from around 1999 to 2008, with a mid‑cycle refresh and updates during its run, all under the Jaguar brand despite Ford’s prior ownership.
The result is a Jaguar sedan that reflects its British luxury roots while bearing the imprint of Ford’s platform sharing and engineering support during its production years.
Current status and legacy
Today, the Jaguar S-Type is viewed as a model emblematic of the era when Jaguar operated under Ford ownership, representing a bridge between classic Jaguar styling and the more standardized engineering approaches of a large parent company. Its production ended before Tata Motors’ acquisition completed, after which Jaguar pursued new platform and design directions with different strategic partners.
For enthusiasts and historians, the S-Type remains a notable example of trans‑Atlantic collaboration in the late 1990s and early 2000s—an unmistakably Jaguar model that benefited from Ford’s resources, yet retained the brand identity that defined Jaguar.
Summary
The Jaguar S-Type is not a Ford vehicle. It is a Jaguar model developed during Ford’s ownership of Jaguar, incorporating shared engineering and components, but it remains a Jaguar car through and through. Its production spanned the late 1990s to 2008, offering a range of V6 and V8 engines and a high‑performance variant in the S-Type R, all while keeping the Jaguar brand distinct from Ford.
Does Jaguar use Ford engines?
No, Jaguar does not currently use Ford engines; however, during its ownership by Ford, it used engines that were either Ford-designed or a joint development, such as the V6 and certain diesel engines. Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has since developed its own engine families, like the Ingenium line, to replace those Ford-derived engines.
Engines from the Ford era
- AJ-V6: This V6 engine, used in models like the X-Type, was based on the Ford Duratec V6 and was a joint development.
- Diesel engines: Jaguar used a V6 diesel engine that was a joint project between Ford and PSA Peugeot Citroën, known as the AJD-V6. Some smaller diesels were also based on Ford's Duratorq engine.
Current Jaguar engines
- Ingenium: Jaguar Land Rover produces its own modular engine family, the Ingenium line, which includes both petrol and diesel engines. This family is used in many of the newer Jaguar and Land Rover models.
- AJ126: The supercharged V6 engine found in some models is a Jaguar-designed engine, a successor to older Jaguar designs.
- Electric: Jaguar is also moving towards an all-electric future, as seen in the all-electric I-PACE.
Does the Jaguar S type have a Ford engine?
The modern S type was fully funded by Jaguar off X300 profits. Yes, built on the Ford DEW98 platform but it was developed with Jaguar input and was used under the Ford Thunderbird and Lincon LS and later the Jaguar XF. The V6 was based on the Ford Duratec engine but with Jaguar designed heads and variable valve timing.
What is the Jaguar S Type based on?
Ford's DEW platform
The rear wheel drive S-Type was based on Ford's DEW platform, which was also used in the Lincoln LS, Ford Thunderbird, and is being continued on the Jaguar XF model. While all of these cars shared the same basic body shell, the drivetrain and suspension were unique to the Jaguar line.
Is the Jaguar car made by Ford?
The British Leyland Motor Corporation became nationalized in 1975 due to financial difficulties, but in 1984 Jaguar became its own company again. Ford Motors purchased Jaguar in 1999 and purchased Land Rover in 2000, selling both to Tata Motors in 2008.
