Jaguar S-Type & Lincoln LS: Brothers Under the Skin

The top image is of a 2000 Lincoln LS, the lower shows two 2000 S-Type Jaguars.  All share the same 114.5 inch (2.908 m.) wheelbase body platform.  Spreading brands and models across the same platform architecture has been a near-necessity in recent decades for automobile makers facing increasingly high development costs.  The LS and S-Type are from the time Ford Motor Company owned Jaguar, and represent a particularly clever case of platform-sharing.

The Wikipedia entry for the S-Type is here, and that for the LS here.  Geof Lawson is credited for the Jaguar styling and Helmuth Schrader is cited regarding the Lincoln.

Lawson used the 1950s Mark I (2.4) and Mark II (3.4) basic design as the basis for the S-Type.  The result was criticized by some as being too derivative, not innovative, and so on.  And Jaguar did indeed finally change its styling theme starting with its 2008 XF model.  Nevertheless, I always liked the Marks I and II, so had no problem liking the S-Type too.

Gallery

The upper photo of the LS is from the Institute for Highway Safety.  The main visible similarities with the S-Type below are the windshield, front door and A- and B-pillars.  The unseen cowl, an expensive and critical part of the body, was also probably essentially the same, as might be the floor pan, insides of wheel wells and so forth.

Similarities are not easily found on these rear 3/4 views.