The Jaguar S-Type saloon was a model of automobile built by British manufacturer Jaguar. Available with 3.4 and 3.8 L I6 Jaguar XK engines, the model was announced in 1963, but actual deliveries began in 1964. In 1966, the Jaguar 420 saloon was added to the model range. The 420 had the new 4.2 L engine and shared its bodyshell with the S-type, but with front end styling similar to the larger Mark X saloon.
In marketing terms, the 1963 S-Type was essentially a larger, plusher version of the company's popular Mark II but sported innovations such as independent rear suspension, which it shared with the larger Mark X and the E-Type sports car. It only shared one body panel with the Mark II, namely the bonnet.
It is thought that Jaguar developed the S-Type as a replacement for the Mark II. The earlier car been developed under the code name "Utah Mk II", and the S-Type was the "Utah Mk III". For various reasons – including the fact that the Mark II remained a strong seller even in 1963, and the Mark X was a poor seller – Jaguar decided to have all three models in its range concurrently.
The original S-Types were cancelled in August 1968 with the arrival of the larger Jaguar XJ6.
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