Jaguar X-Type
An entry-level luxury vehicle, the Jaguar X-Type debuted in 2002 as a car/compact executive car produced by Ford owned British luxury marque Jaguar. The X-type was the smallest of the current Jaguar saloon vehicles and was built on a modified version of the Ford CD132 platform. The Ford CD132 platform is a British version of the Ford C Dw27 platform, which is based off of the Ford Mondeo. Designed on the success of the S-type, the X-type continues in production at Jaguar's Halewood facility in England today. Various styling cues were pulled from the XJ series. 70% of the parts of the X-type were built by subcontractors while 10% are made by Jaguar and 20% by Ford.
The exterior of the Jaguar X was built on classic design that used Jaguar themes, yet with a contemporary twist to provide a comfortable, elegant, intimate and thoroughly functional cabin. Rich, leather seating surfaces were created with traditional wood veneers in Bronze Sapele. Jaguar's rich tradition of craftsmanship is evident in the attention to detail throughout the X-types interior.
The X-Type was an all-wheel drive model, unlike the Mondeo and came in two versions, the 2.5 liter and 3.0 liter. The power on both models was supplied from V6 engines and automatic gear systems. The small sedan featured disc brakes on all four tires, airbags in the side for those in the front, and curtain airbags were featured throughout the entire vehicle.
The 3.0 model featured 17 inch tires in 2003. All models also received headlights that were made of xenon, heated front seats and with a warning system if anything was obstructing the path of the vehicle in the back. The following year the 3.0 received headlights that came on automatically, a leather steering wheel and split back seats that could be folded. In 2005, joining the X Type lineup was the wagon. The entry level model was dropped and replaced with a Vanden Plas edition that was featured heated leather front seats.
The X-Type has no been extremely successful against most of its direct competition, especially with the comparably-priced BMW 3-Series which has outsold it by nearly 10 to 1 ratio in recent years. The X-Type does account for more than one third of Jaguar's total U.S. sales. The X-Type has a base price of nearly $30,000 less than the XJ. This is also the only Jaguar to use a five-speed automatic transmission. The fuel economy is lowered slightly by the full time AWD, though the X-Type is light-weight and not incredibly powered. Both models have an estimated EPA of 18/24.
While the original X-Type model was a saloon, in early 2004 the lineup was joined with an Estate version, making it the second ever Jaguar Estate vehicle. The Estate was also the first to use a diesel engine. Launched with mixed reception, in the U.S. the Estate is officially known as the ‘Sportswagon', and is not available as a diesel.
Equipped with either a 192 hp 2.5 L or a 227 hp 3.0 L Jaguar AJ-V6 engine, the Jaguar X-Type featured all wheel drive that was standard on 2.5 L and 3.0 L variants. The 2.0 L petrol and all diesel models are two-wheel drive. In the U.S. there are no diesel versions available. The four-wheel drive system was tuned to send 60% of its engine power to the rear wheels and 40% to the front for a ‘sportier feel'.
In the UK, the 2.0 L and 2.5 L petrol variants had been discontinued as of 2007. In Estate form only, the 3.0 L version is still available. The 2.0 L and 2.2 L Diesels are the only saloon X-Types.
Jaguar had initially projected sales to surpass 100,000 annual sales, and in 2003 the X-Type peaked at 50,000 units sold. In 2004, sales in the U.S., its primary market, dropped from 21,542 to 10,941 in 2005. The front-wheel drive model was dropped for the North American market for the 2006 model year. Ford announced in October of 2007 that it would be stopping its sales of the X-Type in the U.S. though stock is expected to last through the first quarter of 2008. The new generation of X-Type will go on sale in the U.L. in March of 2008 and other European markets in April of 2008. It is expected to be sold in Canada, where it is Jaguar's best-selling vehicle.
With an MSRP that started at $35,725, the 2008 X-Type 3.0 sedan combined athletic performance with agile handling. The X-Type is also the only compact sedan in its class to offer standard traction-enhancing all-wheel drive. The new price was slightly higher than the previous year's price, but the newest model featured many high cost items as standard. The features included Jaguar's Tire Pressure Monitoring System, memory driver's seat, 10-way power-adjustable front seats and a message center/trip computer.
The 2008 X-Type 3.0 is better equipped than ever featuring the best in audio, a six-speaker, 120-watt AM/FM stereo with CD player; all standard.
The X-Type featured agile handling and compliant ride due to an exceptionally stiff body structure. The four-wheel independent suspension, which employed a MacPherson strut layout at the front, and a multi-link torsion control link system at the rear, which delivers a high degree of inherent stability. The 08 X-Type also featured front struts that were mounted at the top through a unique, twin-bearing system to reduce friction and to enhance steering feel.
Derived from the S-Types proven AJ-V6 powertrain, the X-Types 24-valve, four-cam 3.0 liter AJ-V6 uses a lightweight alloy cylinder block, alloy cylinder heads and a steel crankshaft. The engine featured many advanced features such as continuously variable cam phasing along with advance, 32-bit engine management system.
Highly efficient, the 3.0-liter engine delivers 227bhp and 206 lb. –ft of torque. Mid-range torque is impressive, with more than 90% of peak torque available between 2,500 and 6,000 rpm and more than 80% available from below 1,500 rpm through the max engine speed of 6,800 rpm. The X-Type 3.0 was rated at 0-60mph is just 7.1 seconds.
The 2008 X-Type features standard safety features such as anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution, three-point safety belts throughout and pre-tensioning front safety belts with load limiters.
The first in Jaguar history, the X-Type 3.0 derives its great-driving character from the Jaguar Traction-4™ advanced all-wheel-drive system. The innovative nature of this Jaguar sets it apart from it competition.By Jessica Donaldson