First drive: Jaguar's R is ready to rumble

THREE years after the launch of Jaguar's S-Type mid-size luxury saloon, the much anticipated "R" is finally here, headlining a newly expanded and updated range.

The S-Type R is the third member of the "R" high performance family after the iconic XJR and sleek XKR. It is also the most powerful Jaguar saloon ever.

An Eaton supercharger sits astride a significantly refreshed AJ-V8 engine, with its capacity boosted to 4.2-litres and its outputs to an astonishing 298kW at 6100rpm and a stonking 553Nm at 3500rpm.

Performance is appropriately astonishing too. It dashes to 100km/h in just 5.6 seconds and then on to an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.

The engine is mated to the new ZF 6 HP 26 six-speed automatic gearbox, which has only previously been seen in BMW's new 7 Series limousine. But that's not all the body is now 10 per cent more rigid, there's a new sports-tuned front suspension and revised rear suspension, massive 360mm Brembo discs mated to four-pot callipers and the latest generation CATS damping system.

Externally, little differentiates the "R" from its lesser siblings or from the original distinctive and controversial "retro" design. A small rear spoiler, 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, Xenon headlights behind tinted lenses, a bright mesh grille and a new red "R" logo complete a subtle yet surprisingly potent package.

Inside, there's a leather-trimmed steering wheel, sports seats with 16-way adjustment and a new-look - albeit more traditional - dash is shared with the rest of the range, and replaces the much-maligned circular design.

The bad news for prospective buyers is that the "R" will not arrive until June - along with the rest of the range - and even then just 30 are expected to head Down Under this year, priced close to its obvious rival, the $194,240 BMW M5.

But if you can't afford an "R" or do not get your order in on time, the rest of the S-Types have been significantly updated too. The engines get the once-over, the six-speed auto is standard across the range as well as the upgraded suspension design and improved brakes.

The normally aspirated V8 is now punched out from 4.0 to 4.2-litres and produces 224kW and 310Nm, up 7 per cent and 8 per cent respectively on its predecessor.

The 3.0-litre V6 has an improved torque curve and fuel economy while a 2.5-litre V6 has been added. This engine, first seen in the smaller X-Type, puts out 150kW at 6800rpm and 250Nm at 4000rpm. Both V6s now have continuously variable cam phasing, replacing a two-stage system for improved performance across the range.

The double wishbone front suspension's changes include forged aluminium control arms, stiffened cast aluminium front knuckles and a new subframe. The multi-link rear has a new subframe, new control arms and knuckles and a new toe link for improved rear wheel alignment.

While negotiations are still to be finalised for the price and specification of Australian cars, the intention is to keep price increases to a few percentage points. The new entry level 2.5 S-Type will be priced under $90,000.

New standard features across the range - in addition to expected luxuries like leather interior, climate control and sophisticated audio - include new-design seats, an electronic finger-operated park brake mounted behind the auto's J-gate shifter, panic assist braking, new steering column switchgear including one-touch cruise control, front and rear-side airbags and anti-whiplash front seats.

Naturally, being a Jaguar, the S-Type will be offered with a plethora of options from sunroofs to voice activation and adjustable pedals.

The Australian range is expected to comprise 2.5, 3.0 and 4.2 SE, the sharper focussed 3.0 and 4.2 Sport and the "R". A Getrag five-speed manual transmission is a no-cost option on Sport models.

Jaguar Australia sold 533 S-Types in 2001 and is hoping to increase that to about 700 cars in 2002, with much of that coming from the 2.5, which will give Jaguar a direct competitor against BMW's popular 525i and the Mercedes-Benz E240.

DRIVE IMPRESSIONS:

WOW! Tramp the R's throttle and the supercharger whine accompanied by a throaty V8 staccato pierces the cabin at an ever more insistent and pleasing pitch.

There's no hint of roughness or hesitation and the match-up with the gearbox is virtually seamless. You are being hurled at the road ahead by one of the great driveline combinations.

And its brilliance is just as clearly underlined in cruise mode, burbling along at 1500rpm at around 100km/h in sixth gear. There is no lumpiness, no suggestion of irritability. It is completely civilised stuff.

Such is the sheer level of grunt there is not much need or desire to shift manually via the J-gate - although ironically this design has been reworked to make shifts more positive and harder to miss.

All that's backed up by a tough, taut and tight suspension set-up that grips hard to the road, steers precisely but also does not rattle your teeth loose - the sign of a well-designed and well-executed layout.

Of course, with this much power transmitted solely through the rear wheels, provoking oversteer on the tighter and sometimes wet corners encountered on the drive route was achievable with a little throttle brutality.

But the extensive array of electronic aids such as DSC and traction control made sure things did not get out of hand, although its intrusions were not too annoying. But as it should be in all cars, the system is switchable so you can hang the tail out if you want.

Wrapping it all up are powerful brakes full of feel and poise, and seem unflappable.

Inside, the familiar sweep of bird's-eye maple returns to a re-designed dash which is very much known Jaguar stuff. It is functional, quite elegant and certainly an improvement over its predecessor.

But there are some things that simply cannot be addressed at a mid-life upgrade like this, and the problems of the S-type are well known - it's cramped inside, particularly in the rear where entry and exit is also hampered by the small doors, and the boot is just too small when compared to its rivals.

Then there's the styling. Love it or hate it, you cannot ignore it, particularly as the exterior goes virtually unchanged.

And believe it or not, right-hand drive manual versions will still not come with a left footrest - a criticism of this car from day one and still not addressed because of the size of the transmission tunnel.

While for the rest of the range these have the potential to be major issues, they pale somewhat for "R", a car where performance reigns supreme.

Is it better than M5 or E55? A good question that would be fun to answer. In ultimate performance "R" is very close, but the engine/transmission's livability is a huge positive.

This car truly fulfills the Jaguar ethic of being able to stroll or sprint. It's all up to you.