This nameplate revived a Jaguar saloon badge last used on the 1960s S-type and returned the brand to the compact sports-saloon class in the late 1990s. The modern car was introduced for the 1999 model year and carried a deliberately retro-inspired Jaguar design, blending classic cues with a more contemporary luxury-business-saloon role. It sat below the flagship saloon in Jaguar’s range and became one of the key models in the company’s Ford-era lineup. During its run, the range expanded to include performance-focused derivatives, most notably the supercharged R version, which gave the car a stronger enthusiast following. The model remained on sale through the 2008 model year, after which it was replaced by the XF, marking a shift to a cleaner, more modern design direction.
MODEL HISTORY