Note the hood is aluminum for '05, which shaves some 22 pounds off the car vis-à-vis last year's steel hood. The result: Better weight distribution and handling. With increased sound deadening under the hood - prompted by the addition of a European-only diesel engine being offered -- the ride inside the '05 S-Type is quite quiet.

The rear-drive S-Type uses Servotronic variable-ratio power steering that keeps the car tracking competently, and without tiring steering changes needed. The steering effort required is excellent - neither lightweight and feathery nor hard and muscular.

Front and suspensions use double wishbones, as well as stabilizer bars. Dynamic Stability Control, an electronic aid to help keep the car handling stably, and traction controlled are standard. The biggest suspension adjustment for '05 is that ball joints are updated for lower friction. And, the S-Type's optional sport suspension has higher-rate springs and revised dampers.

Best of all, the S-Type's size - not too big and not too small for a five-passenger sedan - makes it easy to maneuver in tight spots and in parking lots.

I didn't notice wind noise and heard just a bit of road noise. Seventeen- and 18-inch wheels and tires are available.

Meanwhile, the heavier and larger XK has a vigorous, yet luxurious ride. This 2+2-passenger coupe and convertible moves purposefully, yet tautly, through mountain twists with a poise that makes driving fun. Nothing has changed in the XK's suspension for 2005.

Engines remain the same

Engine selections for these two Jags are the same as for 2004. The S-Type in the U.S. is offered with three power plants. The most popular in sales is the 235-horsepower, 3-liter V6, which accounts for 66 percent of all S-Types. Second is the 294-horsepower, 4.2-liter AJ-V8, which is some 22 percent of sales. The top, 390-horsepower, supercharged, 4.2-liter AJ-V8 accounts for just 12 percent of S-Type sales and, while it provides an exhilarating ride, it's also the highest-priced model. Jaguar's new, 207-horsepower, common rail diesel V6 being sold in European S-Types is not slated to come to the U.S. at this time.

Indeed, for 2005, Jaguar officials decided to lower the manufacturer's suggested retail price of the top S-Type R with supercharged engine, by more than $4,000 - to approximately $59,000 - in order to better align it with its main competitor, the BWM 545i, which is priced in the mid-$50,000 range.

All S-Types have a six-speed automatic transmission, with extremely smooth shifts. In the V8 models, the shifts also are managed so power is palpable, yet eminently controlled.

Jaguar's XKs, however, retain their engine lineup of V8s.

The base XK coupe and convertible come with the 294-horsepower, 4.2-liter V8 that's also offered in the S-Type, and the top XKR coupe and convertible come with the 390-horsepower, 4.2-liter, supercharged V8 that's also offered in the S-Type.

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